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Period: to
Settle into the West
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The Louisiana Purchase
This adds to the United States territory from the Gulf of Mexico to the Northwest. After that, Lewis and Clark began thier exploration of the West. -
War of 1812
The Americans declared war on The British Empire for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's war with France, impressment of American merchant sailors, and British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion, -
Missouri Compromise
This primarily regulated slavery in the western territories and prohibited slavery for all new states north of Arkansas, with the exception of Missouri. -
The Indian Removal Act
This act granted President Andrew Jackson the funding and authority to remove the Indians residing east of the Mississippi River. -
Trail of Tears
Between 1835 and 1838 bands of Cherokee Indians moved west of the Mississippi along the so-called Trail of Tears. Between 2,000 and 4,000 of the migrating Cherokees died. -
James K. Polk
Polk was perhaps more responsible than any other single person for setting the boundaries of what came to be the American West. -
Mexican-American War
This occurred as the result of Mexican resentment over the US annexation of Texas and a border dispute,.This War represents the only major military dispute between the two nations. -
California Gold Rush
An American finds gold at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, sparking a gold rush which brings tens of thousands of new settlers to California, establishing towns and cities. -
Homestead Act of 1862
It required that any person, head of the family and age 21 and up, to occupy land west of the Mississippi for five years and have notable improvements. -
The Dawes Severalty Act
It was created to help Native American's recieve citizenship and divide tribal property, but the act ended up creating loss of legal standings in exchange for the land being divided.
