Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion

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Manifest Destiny

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The belief that America had the God-given right to expand westward from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

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Louisiana Purchase

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In 1803, the US bought the Louisiana Territory, doubling the size of the United States.

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Economic Depressions

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The depressions of 1819 and 1837 encouraged thousands of Americans to move west for new job opportunities.

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Spread of Democracy

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Many Americans believed they had a duty to spread democracy across the North American continent.

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Conflict and Expansion

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Expansion led to conflicts with Mexico, battles with Native Americans, and discrimination towards Mexicans.

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New Land and Wealth

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Americans wanted the wealth created by land ownership and built new businesses as they moved west.

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Gadsden Purchase

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The Gadsden Purchase occurred in 1853, adding land to the United States.

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Impact of Expansion

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The growth of the United States also meant the spread of slavery, leading to conflicts that contributed to the Civil War.

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Manifest Destiny and Government

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The US system of government inspired the idea of Manifest Destiny, promoting the spread of democracy.

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Map of US Territorial Expansion

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Visual representation of US territorial expansion during the era of Manifest Destiny.