Geographic Changes

In 1804, Lewis & Clark left St. Louis, MO for their journey to the Pacific OceanThey discovered new plants & animals; met new Native American tribes; found remains of a dinosaur

2 years & 4 months later, they arrived back to St. Louis; their journey helped promote western settlement

1803—Jefferson bought Louisiana from French for $15 millionPushed western boundary of US to Rocky Mtns.

Jefferson had vision of “empire of liberty”

Many criticized JeffersonCountry didn’t need more undeveloped land

Purchase unconstitutional

Reasons for National ExpansionPop. Growing

rapidlyLess good farmland

in eastMake country less

vulnerable to foreign attack

Appealed to sense of nationalism

In 1840’s—Combo of nationalism + expansionism = Manifest DestinyObvious fate– it seemed obvious to Americans that

US was meant to spread ideals of democracy across continent & beyond

Inspired further expansion1819—Spain cedes FL to US1845—TX joins Union after gaining independence

from Mexico1846—US signs treaty with GB for Oregon Country1846—Mexican-American War—result, US gets

most of SW1853—Gadsden Purchase—added part of AR & NM

US Westward expansion bad for Native Americans As US added new territory, N. Americans forced to give

up lands American settlers 1830—Congress passes Indian Removal Act

Clear N. Americans from lands E of MississippiMove tribes to OK TerritorySome tribes went along with removal—others

resisted Cherokees fought legally—said Act violated earlier

treatiesWorchester v. Georgia—Court upheld treaties,

Jackson ignored ruling Tribes that resisted were moved by force

1838—Trail of Tears—4,000 died of disease, starvation & harsh weather

As US expanded—3 sections of country—North, South, West—begin to develop different identities Influenced by geography & settlers

NorthIn NE, poor soil & harsh winters

caused people to engage in commerce, shipbuilding & fishing for $

Other places, most Northerners farmed for a living

By mid-1800’s—many moving to cities to work in mills & factories

Immigrants coming to US move to Northern cities for jobs.

SouthMild climate & rich soil makes

agriculture the center of southern economy

Most southerners small farmers—plantation agriculture starting to become more importantPlantation owners relied on slave

labor to grow cash cropsNot everyone owned slaves

WestIn 1840’s West was area west of

Mississippi R.Settlement of west motivated by

desire for cheap, fertile land.Search for opportunities in the westAs settlers mixed with Indians &

Mexicans, new ways of life emerged.