Westward expansion

Definition

Westward expansion refers to the 19th-century movement of settlers and immigrants into the western territories of the United States, driven by a belief in Manifest Destiny. This idea promoted the notion that Americans were destined to expand across North America, leading to significant cultural, economic, and social changes in both the regions being settled and the existing populations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Westward expansion was fueled by economic opportunities, including the promise of fertile land for farming and resources like gold and silver.
2. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the United States and was a key event that facilitated westward migration.
3. Railroads played a crucial role in westward expansion, providing transportation and making it easier for settlers to move and transport goods.
4. The impact of westward expansion included the displacement of Native American tribes, leading to violent conflicts and loss of indigenous cultures.
5. The ideology behind westward expansion contributed to sectional tensions between the North and South, influencing debates over slavery in new territories.

Review Questions

• How did the belief in Manifest Destiny influence American attitudes toward westward expansion?
  • Manifest Destiny instilled a strong belief among Americans that they were meant to expand their territory across North America. This ideology justified the migration into western lands, as many felt it was their divine right to bring civilization and democracy to these areas. As a result, this mindset not only motivated settlers but also led to the marginalization of Native American populations, as their lands were viewed as obstacles to fulfilling this perceived destiny.
• Discuss the social and cultural impacts of westward expansion on Native American communities.
  • Westward expansion had devastating effects on Native American communities, including forced removals from their ancestral lands, loss of cultural heritage, and violent conflicts. As settlers moved westward, treaties were often ignored or broken, leading to uprisings and resistance from indigenous peoples. The introduction of new settlers altered traditional ways of life and disrupted local ecosystems, resulting in profound changes to the identity and existence of many Native American tribes.
• Evaluate how westward expansion contributed to sectional tensions within the United States leading up to the Civil War.
  • Westward expansion intensified sectional tensions between Northern and Southern states as debates arose over whether new territories should be free or slave states. The acquisition of new lands reignited conflicts over the balance of power in Congress, leading to critical legislation such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. These issues ultimately exacerbated regional divisions, contributing significantly to the conditions that led to the outbreak of the Civil War.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century doctrine that it was the divine right of Americans to expand their territory across North America.

Homestead Act: A law passed in 1862 that provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, encouraging westward migration.

Trail of Tears: The forced relocation of Native American nations from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to designated 'Indian Territory' west of the Mississippi River, resulting in significant suffering and death.