Short Westward Expansion Timeline 1800-1875

Louisiana Purchase

Dec 30, 1803

Louisiana Purchase is bought by President Thomas Jefferson to expand U.S.

Indian Removal Act

May 28, 1830

Congress passes a law to move Native Americans from the Southeast to the west of the Mississippi River

Westward Trails

Mar 18, 1841

over 300,000 people travel west on each of the three westward trails, Oregon, Santa Fe, and Mormon

Texas becomes a state

Dec 29, 1845

Texas becomes part of U.S., leading to the Mexican-American War

gold is discovered

Jan 24, 1848

James Marshall discovers gold at Sutter's Mill making even more people travel west

Yellowstone becomes a national park

Mar 1, 1872

Yellowstone National Park dedicated to be 1st national park by President Ulysses S. Grant

more gold discovered

Apr 9, 1874

gold is discovered in Black Hills of South Dakota