Territorial Growth
Louisiana Purchase
In 1800, France owned the Louisiana Territory, an area located west of the United States’ Northwest Territory. During the early 1800s, Americans were migrating westward across the Appalachian Mountains and into the Ohio River Valley. Because of France’s ongoing conflict with England, President Thomas Jefferson feared the French presence in America. He wanted to purchase a part of the Louisiana Territory. In this interactivity, investigate the Louisiana Purchase and find out how America doubled in size. Click the player button to begin.
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition
With the Louisiana Purchase, the United States gained control of the Mississippi River and the port city of New Orleans to facilitate western trade. The United States had also gained a huge new territory that they knew very little about. In an effort to explore and map a portion of the new territory, President Jefferson authorized a special expedition called the Corps of Discovery. You may be more familiar with its unofficial name, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which comes from names of its two leaders, Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark. In this interactivity, you will learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Click the player button to begin.
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What do you think Lewis and Clark felt like during their expedition? How did they survive the difficult journey? Take a moment to view the video, Lewis and Clark's North Dakota: Lewis, Clark and the Native People, from eMediaVASM, to gain a better understanding of what the Corps experienced. In this video, you will get a glimpse of what it would have been like to journey down the Missouri River, and receive support from American Indians like Sacajawea, who acted as their guides and translators.
Westward Expansion
The addition of land from the Louisiana Purchase opened up new economic opportunities for Americans. Many American settlers started migrating west, leaving the coastal states and seeking cheap land to own and farm in the Midwest, Southwest, and Texas. At first, this migration took place very slowly, and with very limited numbers of American settlers. In the 1840s, the expansion quickly escalated as the idea of a better life out west came over the country. In this interactivity, learn about the motivation behind westward migration as American’s fulfilled “Manifest Destiny.” Click the player button to begin.
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Impact of Technology on Westward Migration
The westward migration was assisted by new technologies. The use of the railroad and canals, and the development of the cotton gin all contributed to economic growth in the United States. As the demand for large amouts lands of land increased, so did the demand for slave labor. In this interactivity, learn how canals, the railroad, and the cotton gin helped influence westward migration. Click the player button to begin.
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Impacts of the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney’s invention of the cotton gin forever changed the economy of the United States. In the United States, cash crops like tobacco were grown and exported for a profit. Cotton production was not as high as tobacco because of the time required to remove the cotton seed. The cotton gin improved the seed removal process allowing plantations to produce cotton at a much greater rate. View Cotton Gin from eMediaVASM to learn about the invention of the cotton gin and how it impacted the economy and slave trade in the United States.
Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War began in 1846 and ended in 1848. The conflict began after American settlers entered into Mexican controlled territory in what is now the state of Texas. Texas rebels fought for their independence and eventually become part of the United States. Angered by the loss of Texas and fearing further expansion, Mexico entered into war with the United States. In this interactivity, learn about the Battle of the Alamo, the annexation of Texas, and the Mexican-American war. Click the player button to begin.
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James K. Polk
James Polk was elected as the eleventh president of the United States in 1845. Polk was in favor of westward expansion, and he ran on the platform in support of Manifest Destiny. During his time as President, the United States gained the Oregon Territory from Great Britain and incorporated Texas into the United States. The annexation of Texas upset the Mexican government and began the Mexican-American War. As a result of the American victory in the war, the United States acquired even more territory in the West. View James Polk – 60-Second Presidents from eMediaVASM to learn more about the accomplishments of James K. Polk.
Territorial Growth Review
Now that you have explored westward migration, complete this activity to check your knowledge. In this non-graded interactivity, read the statement and enter the correct word from the word bank into the blank space provided. Click the player button to get started.