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The Westward Expansion

The document outlines the history and significance of westward expansion in the United States, beginning with early colonial settlements and key territorial acquisitions. It highlights the emergence of new states, the impact on social equality and leadership, and the development of a unified national culture. Additionally, it notes the population growth and geographical improvements resulting from this expansion.

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130 views2 pages

The Westward Expansion

The document outlines the history and significance of westward expansion in the United States, beginning with early colonial settlements and key territorial acquisitions. It highlights the emergence of new states, the impact on social equality and leadership, and the development of a unified national culture. Additionally, it notes the population growth and geographical improvements resulting from this expansion.

Uploaded by

mehvishgull63
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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THE WESTWARD EXPANSION

BACKGROUND
 Earlier colonial settlement was confined to the east only.
 Treaty of Paris after the war of independence gave the US territory across Appalachian Mountains up to the
Mississippi River.
 Then in 1803, Louisiana was purchased from France by a treaty.
 Eastern Florida was also acquired by the US from Spain in 1819.
 The US was also able to annex Texas in 1845.
 These events marked the motives of the US towards westward expansion.
 The westward expansion was started by New Englanders who migrated into the western part of New York.
 Settlers started moving towards west and claimed settlements.

HOW EXPANSION STARTED?


 Henderson in 1755, a North Carolina judge, moved out with some people, in a dream to build a colony.
 He settled a new colony and named it Transylvania.
 More settlers came to settle in, but Virginia government refused to recognize his claims.
 Henderson then moved to Tennessee and bought it from Indians.
 This time North Carolina government refused his claims.
 So, Kentucky and Tennessee were born and soon population rose to 300,000 and got the recognition.
 State of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana were formed.

1. Vermont
 1st state to be admitted into the Union after the formation of United States.
 It became the 14th state.

2. Kentucky
3. Tennessee
4. Ohio
5. Louisiana
6. Alabama and Mississippi
7. Indiana and Illinois
8. Maine and Missouri

EFFECTS OF WESTWARD EXPANSION IN AMERICAN HISTORY /


SIGNIFICANCE OF FRONTIER
1. Freedom and Democracy
 Westward expansion gave rise to equality among immigrants and settlers.
 People took decision on matters equally.
 In a new settled colony, all people were equal.

2. Freedom from exploitation


 People were free.
 There was no authority to rule them.
 They worked together and lived together.
 They lived like a communist family.
 No one ordered any one to do this or that.
3. Easy leadership
 Those people who was not considered worth enough to be leaders or judges in the east, were now fully
considerable to be leaders and judges.

4. National unity
 Settlers and immigrants considered everyone equal.
 There were no sectorial differences of the old world anymore.
 People didn’t think of linguistic, regional background at all.
 All people were united under one banner.

5. Emergence of new culture


 Since all people from all background settled in new settlements, a new culture emerged.

6. Growth in population
 In 1790, number of states were 13.
 In 1890, number of states rose to 24.
 Population also increased from 3 million to 12 million.

7. Improvement and development of geography


 The purpose of trade and commerce with the East led to the improvement and development of geography
of not only the east but west and everything in between.

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