Was the westward expansion inevitable?

Louisiana Purchase

1803

Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Purchase that almost doubled the size of the US. Also with having this land it made it possible to keep traveling west. With all the land that Jefferson purchased it made new opportunities for many. Jefferson paid 15 million for all of the land he purchases. Jefferson believed that, for the republic to survive, westward expansion was necessary to create independent, virtuous citizens as owners of small farms.

Oregon Trail

1843

This trail was about 2,000 miles route that want from Missouri to Oregon. Thousands of people migrated west through this trail. This trail was thought to lead to independence. Without this trail American pioneers wouldn’t have moved and settled in the west as soon. This trail helped move and migrate the Americans to the west sooner which adds to the westward expansion being inevitable.

Manifest Destiny

1845

Tons and tons of people nearly 7 million started migrated west because of Manifest destiny. These people were searching for new economic opportunities, land ownership, and farming with their own freedoms. The western frontier was thought to have the opportunity of independence and upward mobility for everyone. This event supports that I think the Westward expansion was inevitable because the West had so much to offer to people, no matter what people were going to start moving there.

The Mormon Trail

1846

This trail was taken by Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Great Salt Lake in what would become the state of Utah, it was around 1,300 miles. Brigham Young suggested this idea of traveling west after the Mormons leader was murdered and they then realized they could no longer stay at their homes. They wants to establish new homes and a church in the west.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848

This treaty expanded the US by 525,000 square miles, and it is parts of present day Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Texas, Utah and Nevada. This land was used and moved to by many. This land was so important and it added to the Westward expansion happening.

The Gold Rush

1849

This was a mass migration to California of miners and business people. Around 80,000 people moved to California in 1849. They were all moving for more business opportunities. This supports the Westward expansion happening no matter what because California had more to offer to business people and opportunities of miners on the west side of the world rather than other parts of the US.

Gadsden Purchase

1853

This purchase was a crucial piece to the United States which is why we paid 10 million for it. This land was 30,000 square miles. This area was obtained because it is close to waters which is an amazing benefit for travel and opportunities open up. This event contributed to why I think the Westward expansion was inevitable because this helped the US have the land and then many wanted to live here after the fact.