Unit 7 Westward Expansion Flashcards
What is Manifest Destiny?
Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable.
Which president is most associated with the idea of Manifest Destiny?
President James K. Polk is often associated with the idea of Manifest Destiny.
What land acquisition was a key event during the Westward Expansion under Manifest Destiny?
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the United States.
What was the Oregon Trail?
The Oregon Trail was a major route for westward expansion that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and was used by thousands of settlers in the mid-1800s.
What was the significance of the Gold Rush of 1849?
The Gold Rush led to a massive influx of people to California, accelerating its admission as a state and contributing to economic growth and westward migration.
What was the impact of the Indian Removal Act of 1830?
The Indian Removal Act led to the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, most notably resulting in the Trail of Tears.
What was the annexation of Texas?
The annexation of Texas in 1845 added a large territory to the U.S. and was a significant event leading up to the Mexican-American War.
What was the outcome of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848)?
The war resulted in the U.S. acquiring vast territories, including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico, through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
