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The U.S. obtained the Louisiana Territory through a purchase in 1803. The treaty was signed on April 30 for $15 million, doubling the size of the country and securing control over the Mississippi River and New Orleans.

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The U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory in 1803. The Lewis and Clark Expedition happened from 1804 to 1806 to explore this land. Led by Lewis and Clark, they mapped the area and learned about plants, animals, and Native Americans.

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The U.S. obtained land through the Indian Removal Act, passed on May 28, 1830, which aimed to forcibly move Native American tribes east of the Mississippi River. Despite their resistance, many were relocated, leading to the tragic Trail of Tears. This act allowed White settlers to expand into these lands, resulting in the removal of Indigenous peoples from their homes.

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The U.S. claimed the Oregon Territory in 1846, but pioneers started traveling there earlier. The first major wagon train left Elm Grove, Missouri, in 1843, with about 1,000 people. They faced some dangers but mostly made it safely. Migration along the Oregon Trail continued until a railway was built in 1884.

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The U.S. obtained California after the Mexican-American War, which ended in 1848. The California Gold Rush began the same year when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. Thousands of people flocked to California hoping to strike it rich, leading to rapid population growth and the establishment of new towns. The Gold Rush transformed California into a state and fueled westward expansion.

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The Homestead Act of May 20, 1862, allowed adults to claim 160 acres of public land for a small fee if they lived there for five years. It aimed to encourage westward settlement, but most land ended up with speculators rather than actual settlers. The act contributed to westward expansion but didn't fulfill its promises for many.

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By 1890, the western frontier was settled, with three million families farming and most people living in cities. Historian Frederick Jackson Turner argued this shaped American traits like independence and optimism, but it depended on government support, like land grants and military aid. Turner believed the closing of the frontier marked the end of a key era, yet the idea of the frontier still inspires Americans to seek new challenges today.