Westward Expansion

  • Louisiana Purchase

    Louisiana  Purchase
    President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery Expedition 1804-06, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase, among other objectives. In 1801,Spain signed a secret treaty with France to return Louisiana Territory of France.
  • Lewis and Clark expedition

    Lewis and Clark expedition
    Was the first American expedition to cross what is now the western portion of the United States. It began near St.Louis, made its way westward.
  • Trail of Tears starts

    Trail of Tears starts
    In 1838 and 1839, as part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi River and to migrate to an area in present day Oklahoma
  • California Gold Rush Begins

    California Gold Rush Begins
    The California Gold Rush 1848-1855 began on January 24,1848 when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma ,California.
  • Kansas- Nebraska act

    Kansas- Nebraska act
    Was passed by the U.S congress on May 30,1854. It allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within there borders. The act served to repeal the Missouri Comprise of 1820 which prohibited slavery north of latitude.
  • US Civil War Ends

    US Civil War Ends
    The American Civil war was a civil war in the United States fought from 1861-1865. The Union faced secessionist in eleven Southern states.
  • Homestead Act

    Homestead Act
    Signed into law by President Lincoln on May 20,1862, the Homestead Act encouraged Western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small filing fee.
  • Buffalo Soldiers Formed

    Buffalo Soldiers Formed
    Buffalo soldiers originally were members of the U.S 10th Cavalry of the Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866,at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. This nickname was given to the negro Cavalry.
  • Transcontiental Railroad Completed

    Transcontiental Railroad Completed
    Congress began considering how best to support the building of a transcontinental line in the late 1840's. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 made the issues all the more urgent.
  • Cheif Joseph surrenders to U.S Army

    Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians surrenders to U.S General Nelson A. Miles in the Bear Paw mountains of Montana, declaring, Hear my chiefs : My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.