Westward Expansion Key Concept 5.1

Manifest Destiny The 19th-century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This ideology was used as a motivation for most of our expansionist actions throughout the 1800s and early 1900s.

Westward Expansion

Causes of Westward Expansion Economic interests National security interests Idea of racial and cultural superiority

Economic and Security Issues National Security Trade: Opening of Japan 1853 Desire for resources: Railroad, Gold Rush and mining, ranching and farming, Homestead Act. Gadsden Purchase: Railroad and connections to the Pacific Land acquisition: Mexican Territory, Annexation of Texas, Indian Wars, purchases like Gadsden, Alaska and Louisiana

Racial and Cultural Superiority Nativist Movement (start at 2:15): Know-Nothings Ethnic enclaves More immigration: Japan, China, Mexico Desire to spread culture and religion

Effects of Westward Expansion Wars: Indian Wars, Mexican-American War, Civil War New markets, more land opened up to farming, changes in land usage Land Acquisition Ideological conflicts: Slavery, increased violence Native vs. Whites

Slavery Ideological clash: North Vs. South = Sectionalism Missouri Compromise 1820 Compromise 1850 Kansas-Nebraska Act Abolition and Resistance