People
Why did people want to travel west even though it was dangerous and expensive?
Adventure
A new start
Farmland
What territory did President Jefferson purchase from France?
The Louisiana Territory
Why was it difficult to travel west at the beginning of Westward Expansion (1700s)?
Few accurate maps
No roads went west
No good forms of transportation
What is "Flatboat"?
a boat with a flat bottom that can travel easily in shallow water
What were the main (3) improvements in transportation?
Canals
Railroads
Steamboats
Who cleared the Cumberland Gap?
Daniel Boone
How did the USA gain Oregon territory?
Compromise
What event occurred after passing the Indian Removal Act that caused natives to resent settlers even more then they already did?
The Trail of Tears
What is an "irrigation canal"?
A ditch through which water is brought to crops
How did settlers travel to Oregon country?
In wagon trains
What two groups settled in the California and New Mexico territories?
Mormons
Miners or 49ers
What land was the Mexican-America war fought over?
California and New Mexico
How did the USA gain the Texas territory?
Americans agreed to settle in Texas (Mexico) in exchange for becoming loyal Mexican citizens. They broke that promise and formed an army with the goal of separating from Mexico.
What is a "pack animal"?
an animal, such as a horse or mule, that is used to carry heavy loads
Why did Natives resent settlers in the first place?
The settlers were taking their land
Who was Tecumseh and what did he want?
A Native American chief who wanted to unite tribes against the settlers to stop westward expansion.
How did the Mexican-American war begin?
The two countries disagreed on where the border of Mexico and America was.
Where did Louis and Clark travel?
From St. Louis north-west until they arrived at the Pacific Ocean and back again
What is "Stockade"?
enclosures or pens usually made from stakes/poles driven into the ground
What was the fastest/overall best form of transportation? Why?
Railroads - they could be built anywhere
What was the main difference between the Mormons and 49ers reason for leaving their homes?
The Mormons were forced to leave because they were fleeing religious persecution, the 49ers simply wanted to get rich quick by rushing to California for gold.
What did the Erie Canal connect? Why was it important?
Connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River.
It led to much faster trade and transportation.
How did the Mexican-American war begin?
There was a border dispute between Mexico and America. Both were stationed in the disagreed on land when Mexican troops fired on Americans. President Polk wanted the war in order to gain the remaining and Mexico claimed (CA and NM).
What is "Paddle Wheel"?
A large wheel with boards attached to it that help move a boat forward
What's Manifest Destiny?
The idea that America has not only the desire, but the right to all of the land between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. The people had the responsibility to spread protestant and democratic ideals across the continent.