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History.com

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American Historama

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Westward Expansion Map
The Westward Expansion Map details the dates and the historical treaties made by the United States of America that increased the nation's lands and made Westward Expansion possible.

When did Westward Expansion begin?
Westward Expansion began with the settlement of the first 13 colonies in the East. The 1783 Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783 and ended the American Revolutionary War and established the early U.S. boundaries.

When did Westward Expansion end?
Westward Expansion ended on February 14, 1912 when Arizona was admitted to the Union as the last of the 48 contiguous (adjoining) states. The admittance of Arizona to the Union completed the process of conquering, establishing and organizing the American West.

Who was involved in the Westward Expansion? It could be said that between 1783-1912 all of the people of America were involved in the Westward Expansion of the United States. Westward Expansion was led by all of the Presidents of the United States during this period. Treaties were enacted by the politicians and the diplomats. The wars were waged by the military and U.S. citizens. Henry Clay introduced the "
American System" that included a subsidized transportation infrastructure of new roads and canals. The inventors during the period of the Industrial Revolution made new transportation systems such as the railroads possible. Entrepreneurs invested in the systems. But it was the people of America who built the systems making it possible for Westward Expansion to become viable and help the pioneers and settlers to head west and build new lives in new lands.

Reasons for Westward Expansion
Why was westward expansion important and what were the reasons for Westward Expansion? There was a whole continent to explore that offered a range of different climates, geographical features, vegetation, animals and raw materials. The potential of the new resources and the massive areas of land were waiting for American settlers to discover, some land was almost free. Westward Expansion offered people the opportunity to find new homes and work, to experience adventure, to explore possibilities, to become rich, to find gold or silver, to escape from the constraints of civilization and to make a new start. In other words Westward Expansion enabled people to live the 'American Dream'. Americans were motivated to move west for a whole variety of practical reasons but they were inspired by the belief that the Manifest Destiny of the United States was God's will.

Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny for kids notion of the "
The Manifest Destiny" of the United States was that the occupation the whole continent of North America, was a divine right of the American people. Manifest Destiny was based on the belief of cultural and racial superiority over other nations and the obligation to bring enlightenment and civilization to other races like the Native American Indians. The belief in the Manifest Destiny of the United States justified the darker side of Westward Expansion.

Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny
The picture on your right is of a painting depicting Westward Expansion and the concept of Manifest Destiny. It was painted in 1872 by John Gast (1842-1893) and called American Progress "Spirit of the Frontier". The painting depicts American people moving west, using different types of transport guided and protected by the goddess Columbia, as a symbol of America, holding the book of knowledge and enlightenment. The painting provides a graphic representation of Westward Expansion combined with the concept of Manifest Destiny. Look carefully and you will see people including Native American Indians, pioneers, settlers, prospectors and farmers. The history and progress of transport systems by foot, horse, covered wagon, stagecoach, canal steamboats and the railroad. Communication systems are represented by a Pony Express rider and telegraph wires.

Westward Expansion and Westward Expansion Timeline and Facts for kids Interesting Westward Expansion Facts and Timeline for kids are detailed below together with details of important events in Westward expansion. The history of Westward Expansion of the United States is told in a factual timeline sequence consisting of a series of short facts providing a simple method of relating the relevant, significant events that lead to the Westward Expansion of the United States of America. All of the events are explained with access to additional articles containing detailed facts and information about each of these important historical events that aided Westward Expansion in the United States.

Westward Expansion Timeline and Facts for kids

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 2: 1800 - Cities and Travel - The towns and cities increased and methods of transport included the stagecoach

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 6: 1811 - The Cumberland Road - The Construction of the Cumberland Road began in Maryland and stretched 600 miles into the Northwest Territory.

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 7: 1812 - Turnpikes(Toll Roads) - The era of road building introduced the system of Turnpikes (Toll Roads)

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 25: 1845 - Manifest Destiny - 1845: John O'Sullivan initiates the phrase 'Manifest Destiny'

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 27: 1846 - Bear Flag Revolt - The Bear Flag Revolt against Mexico in Alta California

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 30: 1848 - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo by which Mexico ceded Upper California and New Mexico to the United States that covered 525,000 square miles for a payment of $15,000,000

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 30: 1869 - Transcontinental Railroad - The Transcontinental Railroad was completed joining the eastern and western parts of the United States

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 31: 1872 - Manifest Destiny Painting - The Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion Painting called American Progress "Spirit of the Frontier" was painted by John Gast

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 32: 1879 - The Exodusters - The Exodusters and the mass migration of African Americans to Kansas

Westward Expansion Timeline Fact 33: 1898 - Annexation of Hawaii - Queen Liliuokalani was deposed leading to the Annexation of Hawaii.

Westward Expansion and Westward Expansion Timeline and Facts for kids

Westward Expansion for kids - President James K Polk Video
The article on the Westward Expansion for kids provides an overview of one of the Important ideas of his presidential term in office. The following James K Polk video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 11th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849.

Westward Expansion

● Facts and Manifest timeline for kids and schools
● Definition of the Westward Expansion in US history
● Facts about the Westward Expansion Timeline
● James K Polk Presidency from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849
● Fast, fun, Westward Expansion about Important events in his presidency
● Westward Expansion Painting and Timeline
● James K Polk Presidency and the Westward Expansion timeline for schools, homework, kids and children

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Find a summary, definition and facts about the Westward Expansion timeline for kids. Westward Expansion Timeline, Map and Facts. Facts via the Westward Expansion timeline for kids, children, homework and schools.

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Social Studies for Kids

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YouTube

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Westward Expansion: Crash Course US History #24

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Mr. Mussbaum

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Mr. Nussbaum History Westward Expansion - the Growth of America Activities

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This section contain numerous interactive maps, prompts, online activities, printable activities, and historical accounts related to westward expansion.

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Ducksters

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Kids learn about the history of the Westward Expansion and the Old West of the United States as pioneers settled the west as the country expanded. Educational articles for teachers, students, and schools including daily life on the frontier, gold rush, Pony Express, timeline, glossary, and people.

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5th Grade Westward Expansion

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As they did before the Civil War, people moved west during and after the war seeking land, freedom, and economic opportunities. M igrants and immigrants faced challenges as they moved west, and their...