Trails & Movement
The trail used to reach the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon Trail
Which president strongly supported westward expansion?
James K. Polk
Define Manifest Destiny.
belief U.S. should expand west
Who was most negatively affected by westward expansion?
Native Americans
What caused people to move west?
land, opportunity, gold
Settlers traveled in groups for this reason.
Safety/protection/shared resources.
What was Polk’s goal in going to war with Mexico?
Gain land/expand the US.
What did the Homestead Act encourage people to do?
settle and farm land
Why did some Americans oppose the Mexican-American War?
unfair / expansion of slavery / land grab
This issue became more intense as new states were added.
Slavery
A major challenge settlers faced on the journey.
disease, Native American attacks, river crossings, weather, etc.
How did Native American tribes respond to westward expansion?
resistance / conflict / forced relocation
What land did the U.S. gain after the Mexican-American War?
Southwest / Mexican Cession
How did westward expansion increase sectional tensions?
debate over slavery in new territories
Name one result of westward expansion.
more land / conflict / spread of slavery debate
The discovery of gold in 1848 impacted migration how?
massive increase in migration to California
Describe the role of women in westward expansion.
support roles, survival, maintaining households
Why was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo important?
ended war + gave U.S. large territory
Was westward expansion justified? Give one reason.
Answers will vary.
Cause: Manifest Destiny → Effect:
expansion, war, displacement