6. American Westward Expansion Flashcards
Lewis and Clark Expedition (and importance)
Survey of newly acquired american territory which provided valuable geo. info, made contact with natives, surveyed potential settlements and expanded American ideals
The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
Monroe was president of the US from 1816-1824. His view was that the western hemispheres (the americas) had no business with Europe and vice versa. Any attempt to expand colonies in America by Europe would be seen as an attack on all of America.
- did not become important until much later on
- template for future involvement of US in western hemisphere
- later resurrected by Theodore Roosevelt
The Trail of Tears
- first massive removal of indians (1830s)
- ‘Indian Removal Act’ displaces 5 ‘civilized tribes’
- in 1829 gold discovery in Georgia, Indian territory
- 16000+ indians forcibly moved, 4000 dead
- act was brutal and poorly coordinated
Oregon Trail and Oregon Territory (and importance)
- vast rocky land from northern California to Alaska
- diplomatic tension between US and Britain
- americans moving west along a variety of trails
- tension almost resulted in war but was resolved diplomatically
- displayed american determination to move westward and willingness to go to war with Britain over territory
- transcontinental may now be seriously considered
Manifest Destiny
- Idea of American superiority and a need to free people from perceived tyranny of european monarchs
- aim of expansion of american territory
Homestead Act
- aimed to speed up settlement in west
- allowed settlers to obtain 160 acres of government land
- homesteaders would live for 5 years there and make improvements
- after 5 years they could file for a patent
The Western Frontier
- plains, arid land, virtually treeless, roaming buffalo and indians
- juxtaposition of reality and ideals
- ideas of nationalism and rugged individualism
The Cattle Kingdom
- longhorn cattle in Texas range
- price of longhorns raised from $3/head to 30
- herded to railroad depots and sent to slaughterhouses in Chicago
- came to end in mid-late 1880s
Frontier Thesis/Turner Thesis
1880: claim there was no longer a frontier in America (consideration of importance of westward expansion)
W: westward frontier continually advancing
I: individualism and rapid americanization
R: reinforcing idea of american values
E: escape, release of energy, providing solutions to eastern problems
D: dilemma and distress; now frontier has ended, what happens to America?
Louisiana Purchase
Purchase of land that had previously been french (unexplored territory from New Orleans along Mississippi to Montana) that allowed for westward expansion and secured an important port-Mississippi
