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The American System
The American System was a three-pronged economic plan, based on the financial ideas of Alexander Hamilton, that was supported by Henry Clay. Link: http://www.american-historama.org/1801-1828-evolution/american-system.htm -
The General Survey
The General Survey Act of 1824 was a law passed by Congress on April 30, 1824 that authorized the president to have surveys made of important transportation routes. Link:http://www.american-historama.org/1801-1828-evolution/general-survey-act-1824.htm -
Indian Removal Act
The 1830 Indian Removal Act was formerly entitled "An Act to provide for an exchange of lands with the Indians residing in any of the states or territories, and for their removal west of the river Mississippi". Link: http://www.american-historama.org/1829-1841-jacksonian-era/1830-indian-removal-act.htm -
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail began as a network of unconnected trails used by Native American Indians and Fur Traders. Link:http://www.american-historama.org/1841-1850-westward-expansion/oregon-trail.htm -
The first way to talk without mail
The First telegraph line is established and Morse Code is sent by Samuel Morse from Washington to Baltimore. Link:http://www.american-historama.org/1829-1841-jacksonian-era/first-telegraph-morse.htm -
The First Gold
James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill. Soon word is out and people rush to California to strike it rich. Link: http://www.ducksters.com/history/westward_expansion/timeline.php -
California a free state
Under the Compromise of 1850, engineered by Henry Clay, California is admitted to the Union as a free state. Link: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/westwardexpansion/timeline/ -
The first Transcontinental Railroad
The first transcontinental railroad is completed when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads join their tracks at Promontory Point, Utah. The railroad rapidly affects the ease of western settlement, shortening the journey from coast to coast, which took six to eight months by wagon, to a mere one week's trip. Link: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/westwardexpansion/timeline/ -
US is forced to pursue a long war of attention.
Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his men are wiped out by Sioux forces while attempting to control the Great Plains and confine all Indians to reservations. The battle symbolizes the strength of the Sioux resistance, and the US Army is forced to pursue a long war of attrition, rather than go head to head with the Sioux forces. Link: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/westwardexpansion/timeline/ -
The Dawes Act
The Dawes Act calls for the breakup of the reservations and the treatment of Indians as individuals rather than tribes. It provides for the distribution of 160 acres of farmland or 320 acres of grazing land to any Indian who accepted the act's terms, who would then become a US citizen in 25 years. The act is intended to help the Indians to integrate into white society. Link: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/westwardexpansion/timeline/
