Manifest Destiny
The idea that helped the process of westward expansion was
manifest destiny
Louisiana was purchased from
France
Native Americans were forced from their homes and traveled on the
Trail of Tears
The main trail pioneers took when traveling westward
Oregon Trail
Explain what the transcontinental railroad was.
A railroad that stretched across the western United States all the way to California.
Manifest Destiny is the belief that
America is destined by God to span across the entire continent, east coast to west coast
The Louisiana purchase _______ the size of the country.
doubled
Immediate or Long Term effect? Thousands died on the Trail of Tears
Immediate
Explain the Gold Rush.
In 1848, the discovery of gold in California sparked a migration of thousands of Americans west in hopes to find gold. Hardly anyone struck it rich and most had to find regular jobs.
True or False: Not many trees were cut down in the making of the railroad.
False
How did the Louisiana Purchase help America move towards manifest destiny?
It doubled the size of the Unites States and stretched America more westward.
With the Louisiana Purchase, America now controlled the port of
New Orleans
Immediate or Long Term effect? Loss of culture
Long term
Explain what the Oregon Trail was.
The Oregon Trail was the route that pioneers took when moving west. It was a 4-6 month journey in which 1 in 10 died.
What was the Chinese Exclusion Act?
It blocked Chinese immigrants from entering the United States until 1943.
What other event sparked a massive westward movement in 1849?
California Gold Rush
How was the Louisiana Purchase good for trade?
It was good for trade because now the U.S. controlled the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans. This means goods/crops can be transported down the river to the Gulf of Mexico and eventually to other countries.
Explain the IMMEDIATE impacts of the Indian Removal Act on Native Americans
Thousands of Native Americans were forced to leave their homes and travel on the Trail of Tears to lands west of the Mississippi River. Many died or became sick on the trail.
Explain the significance of the Gold Rush in regards to the state of California.
Because of the gold rush, California’s population grew and it eventually became a state. It entered the nation as a free state, which upset the balance of free states and slave states in Congress. Free states now had more power.
How did the railroad lead to the Chinese Exclusion Act?
The job market was not that great in the west, and a lot of people traveled west for jobs and Chinese immigrants were blamed for the problem.
What event helped America finally achieve Manifest Destiny?
After the Mexican-American War, Mexico ceded land to the United States that included California.
How did the Louisiana Purchase stretch the meaning of the Constitution?
The constitution did not give the federal government the power to buy land. President Jackson thought the states should vote on the issue, but that could take too much time, so he authorized the purchase of Louisiana from France.
Explain the LONG TERM impacts of the Indian Removal Act on Native Americans
Loss of entire tribes, cultures, traditions, and languages. Loss of culture- loss of homelands and religious/sacred grounds. Native children were forced into boarding schools to teach them English and westernize them. “Kill the Indian, save the man”
Explain the push and pull factors associated with the Oregon Trail
Push Factors- Widespread economic depression. Political conflicts before, during, and after the Civil War. Religion. Desire for better opportunities.
Pull Factors- Abundant, fertile, and free land. Discovery of gold. Perception that there were better and more opportunities there
How did the railroad impact the U.S. economy?
It grew America's economy to the largest in the world. Goods from the east and west could be traded with the world.