Expansion Timeline by Brooke Backer

May 10, 1869 - Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

brookebacker — 2025-02-12 18:01:45 UTC

The Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad was when the last rails were laid and a ceremony took place in Utah to celebrate it. This eventually led to 4 transcontinental railroads being created. The railroad changed the way Americans lived, majorly advanced westward expansion, and made travel more affordable.

Mexican-American War: April 25, 1846 - February 2, 1848

purvipatel2 — 2025-02-12 18:05:43 UTC

This war happened because the U.S. and Mexico disagreed over land, especially Texas. The U.S. won and took a large part of Mexico’s northern territory, including California, Arizona, and New Mexico. It ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Louisiana Purchase - 1803

leahmitchell2 — 2025-02-12 18:06:11 UTC

The Louisiana Purchase was a transaction between France and the United States for 828,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million, or 4 cents an acre. When this purchase was complete, the United States nearly doubled in size and added territory, which today would cost over 23 times the cost as it was.

1879 - Opening of the Carlisle Industrial School

brookebacker — 2025-02-12 18:07:40 UTC

The Carlisle Industrial School was a school Native American children were forced to go to to unlearn their Native ways and bring out the "western man" within them. Their philosophy was to "kill the Indian in him, and save the man."

Indian Removal Act: 1830

purvipatel2 — 2025-02-12 18:10:42 UTC

This law forced Native American tribes to leave their lands in the southeastern U.S. and move west to what is now Oklahoma. Thousands suffered and died on the journey, known as the "Trail of Tears."

California Gold Rush: 1848

purvipatel2 — 2025-02-12 18:12:11 UTC

Gold was discovered in California, bringing thousands of people hoping to get rich quickly. Towns grew rapidly, and California's population grew rapidly. This event helped the U.S. economy but also led to conflicts with Native Americans and environmental damage.

Acquisition of Florida - 1819

leahmitchell2 — 2025-02-12 18:12:42 UTC

The Acquisition of Florida was an event in which Minister Onís and John Quincy Adams reached an agreement where Spain ceded East Florida to the United States and renounced all claims to West Florida. This allowed the United States complete control over the Mississippi River.

The Market Revolution-1820s

elizabethquinn11 — 2025-02-12 18:14:20 UTC

It was the transformation of the American economy. There was a huge shift from people making clothes and substance farming to buying things and consumerism. This led to changes in technology, transportation, and communication.

Annexation of Texas - 1845

leahmitchell2 — 2025-02-12 18:17:10 UTC

The Annexation of Texas was an event in which the United States officially took control over Texas and it became a US State. Texas was originally a part of Mexico, ending up in a huge land gain for the United States. Along with that, it added tension between Mexico and the United States and became a contributor to the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848.

Oregon Trail: 1811-1840

purvipatel2 — 2025-02-12 18:17:43 UTC

A major route for settlers moving west to Oregon for farmland and a better life. It was dangerous, with risks like disease and harsh weather.

California Trail: 1841-1869

purvipatel2 — 2025-02-12 18:19:12 UTC

Used by people heading to California, especially after the Gold Rush started. It was a long, tough journey, but many took the risk for the chance of wealth or new opportunities.

The Civil War: 1861

elizabethquinn11 — 2025-02-12 18:20:27 UTC

This was a war between the North and South states over the issue of slavery. President Abraham Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery and because of this southern states known as the Confederate States threatened to secede and become their own country. In the end, the Confederates lost the war, and slavery was abolished.

Acquisition of Oregon - 1848

leahmitchell2 — 2025-02-12 18:20:39 UTC

The Acquisition of Oregon was the result of the treaty signed between Britain and the United States which set the border between the U.S. and what British North America (what would become Canada) at the 49th parallel though it didn't include Vancouver Island which remained British territory.

the Homestead Act: 1862

elizabethquinn11 — 2025-02-12 18:23:54 UTC

This act gave citizens up to 160 acres of public land. The act stated that once they had this land they had to improve it, care for it, live on it, and pay a small fee.

1890 - Closing of the American Frontier

brookebacker — 2025-02-12 18:24:48 UTC

The American Frontier was the area also known as the Wild West. It closed due to the effects of the new railroads. The population grew very dense in the area leading the frontier line to disappear.

The Dawes Act:1887

elizabethquinn11 — 2025-02-12 18:27:53 UTC

This authorized the president to break up land that was a part of reservations and break it up to give to other citizens. The Native Americans were only given a small amount to keep.

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elizabethquinn11 — 2025-02-13 00:00:32 UTC

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elizabethquinn11 — 2025-02-13 00:01:05 UTC

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elizabethquinn11 — 2025-02-13 00:04:16 UTC

1877 - The Exoduster Movement

brookebacker — 2025-02-19 13:08:00 UTC

The Exoduster Movement was the mass migration of African Americans from the South to Kansas. They moved because they wanted to escape the oppressive conditions in the South. This helped to improve the social and economic lives of African Americans.

Sources

brookebacker — 2025-02-19 13:12:13 UTC