Unit 7: Westward Expansion

The idea that the United States is destined—by God, its advocates believed—to expand its dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent. All the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Which point did the United States acquire in 1846 after negotiations with Great Britain?

Which point did Great Britain cede to the United States in 1818?

Which point did the U.S. annex in 1845?

Which point did the U.S. acquire from Mexico in 1853 for $10 million?

Which point did the U.S. acquire as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848?

Which point did the United States acquire in 1819 after negotiations with Spain?

Which point on the map did the United States acquire from France in 1803 for $15 million dollars?

Place the following U.S. land acquisitions on the map

c

d

e

f

b

a

Texas Annexation 1845

Oregon Treaty 1846

Louisiana Purchase 1803

Treaty of Paris 1783

Mexican Cession 1848

Adams-Onis Treaty 1819

Motives for Westward Expansion

Groups:

(a) Social

,

(b) Political

,

(c) Economic

• Access to Asian Markets through Western ports

• Rapid Population Growth (Overcrowding)

• • Territory disputes w/Mexico

• • Territory disputes w/Britain

• • The Expansion of Slavery & Slave States

• An abundance of cheap land

• Discovery of Gold at Sutter’s Mill (California)

• Religious Persecution (Mormons)

• • Economic Depressions in 1819 & 1837 

• Spreading American culture and democracy