Westward Expansion
When you are finished, you will be able to answer these questions: What factors influenced westward expansion? What new territories became part of the United States between ? How did inventions affect the lives of Americans?
Influences for Moving West Overcrowding- the population on the east coast was booming and cities were becoming overcrowded. Cheap Land- the availability of cheap land helped farmers buy large plots of land for very little money.
Influences for Moving West Freedom- Runaway slaves and free blacks moved out west for more opportunities and a chance to start their lives over. Economic Opportunities- settlers moved west to find new jobs, start their own farms, and mine for gold.
Influences for Moving West Manifest Destiny – The idea that expansion was for the good of the country and was the right of the country. Transportation - Cheaper and faster methods of travel such as rivers, canals and eventually railroads, helped lure Americans west.
Influences for Moving West Knowledge of overland trails such as the Oregon trail and the Santa Fe trail.
Occupations (jobs) Out West Farming- families settled inexpensive pieces of land in the Great Plains area, growing grain, corn, and raising livestock. Logging- the west was full of tall trees and dense forests. Settlers cut lumber for train tracks, homes, ships and more.
Occupations Out West Gold Rush- settlers wanted to ‘strike it rich’ after gold was found in California in People who participated in the gold rush were nick named ’49ers. Mining- many settlers mined for precious minerals other than gold.
Comprehension Check In the mid-1840’s only about 700 people from the United States lived in California. By 1849 that number had jumped to over 80,000. This was a result of the _______. The population in the east was booming and cities were becoming _____ causing people to move west.
Comprehension Check Runaway _____ and free blacks moved west for more opportunities and a chance to start over. The availability of _____ land helped farmers buy large plots of land for little money.
Comprehension Check Americans who moved west during the gold rush were nicknamed ________. List one occupation out west: _____.
New Territories Louisiana Territory –Thomas Jefferson bought land from France, doubling the size of the U.S. –He sent Lewis and Clark to explore the land from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.
New Territories Florida –The U.S. gained Florida through a treaty with Spain.
New Territories Texas Annexation –Was added after it became an independent republic.
New Territories Oregon Territory –Was divided by the U.S and Great Britain
New Territories Mexican Cession –War with Mexico resulted in this territory becoming part of the U.S.
Louisiana Territory Florida Oregon Territory Mexican Cession Republic of Texas
Manifest Destiny The idea that expansion was for the good of the country and was the right of the country. “It is America’s right to stretch from sea to shining sea. Not only do we have a responsibility to our citizens to gain valuable natural resources, we also have a responsibility to civilize this beautiful land.”
What do you notice?
Comprehension Check Thomas Jefferson bought what territory from France, doubling the size of the United States? Which territory was divided by the United States and Great Britain? Spain gave what territory to the United States through a treaty?
Comprehension Check Lewis and Clark explored this territory from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. War with Mexico resulted in this southwest territory becoming part of the United States. This territory was added after it became an independent republic.
New Inventions Change America Entrepreneur: A person who organizes resources to bring a new or better good (product) or service to market in hopes of earning a profit. Inventor: A person who is the first to think of or make something.
New Inventions Change America What do you think this was used for?
New Inventions Change America The Cotton Gin Invented by Eli Whitney The cotton gin increased the productivity of cotton and increased the need for slave labor to cultivate and pick the cotton.
What do you think this was used for?
New Inventions Change America Mechanical Reaper Invented by Cyrus McCormick. The reaper increased the productivity of the American farmer. It allowed farmers to harvest crops faster.
New Inventions Change America What do you think this was used for?
New Inventions Changed America Steamboat Engine Improved by Robert Fulton The steamboat provided faster and cheaper river transportation that connected the southern plantations to the northern industries. Steamboats were able to go upriver!
New Inventions Changed America What do you think this was used for?
New Inventions Changed America Steam Locomotive The steam locomotive provided faster and cheaper land transportation. Wasn’t really used west of the Mississippi until after the Civil War.
How did inventions effect slaves? New inventions like the cotton gin and reaper increased the speed and productivity of harvesting crops. Since crops could be harvested faster, more slaves were needed to cultivate even larger plantations and farmland. An increase in slave labor was also needed to keep up with the demand from buyers.
Transportation Out West Trails –Settlers used the Santa Fe Trail to get to land in the southwest (1821) –The Oregon Trail helped settlers migrate to the northwest (1843)
Transportation Out West Rivers- Settlers used rivers to help them travel from east to west. Canals- connected land locked areas to water, helping trade.
Transportation Out West Steamboats- the steamboat allowed cargo and people to be transported faster than ever before.
Comprehension Check This invention increased the production of cotton. Cyrus McCormick and Jo Anderson invented this product that helped the American farmer. New inventions caused slave labor to _____.
Comprehension Check As settlers heading to the northwest, would take this trail. The idea that expansion was for the good of the country is called ___________. What does migration mean?
Can You Answer These Questions? What factors influenced westward expansion? What new territories became part of the United States between ? How did the inventions affect the lives of Americans?