In the nineteenth-century the expansion of the United States was revolutionized. The desire for land would soar with the invention of the cotton gin and the idea of the Manifest Destiny. The topic of territorial expansion and the effects it would have on the nation as a whole was a heated political topic. Not only would it internally divide the nation but the desire would also spark a war with Mexico and a treaty with the British. During the 1800s, key legislation was made resulting in or from the expansion of the United States. This includes the Louisiana Purchase, the Missouri Compromise, the Indian Removal Act, the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. However, this was not the first time in the history the United States
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The idea of Manifest Destiny was spread after the Mexican American War. The Mexican American War ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Part of the treaty included the Mexican Cession of the land today known as California, Nevada, Utah, and Texas (Document 6). The addition of this land stimulated the spirit of Manifest Destiny and lead to the spread of people across the west as did the discovery of gold in California. John O’ Sullivan is considered to be the main person behind the ideas of Manifest Destiny. His views on territorial expansion included “the far-reaching, the boundless future will be the ear of American greatness” (Document 4). Part of the territorial expansion in the United States also included the Oregon Territory. The United States jointly occupied the land with Great Britain. The Treaty of 1818 determined where British territory and where the United States territory was. Many political figures supported the Oregon Territory. Missouri Senator, Thomas Hart Benton said that “The Settlers in Oregon will also recover and open for us the North American road to India!” (Document 5). At that time it was unknown that they was no route from Alaska to Asia by land but the thought motivated Americans to support expansion to the Oregon territory. As more land open up in the west, the Americans felt the need to push the Native Americans out of the eastern part of the
The idea of Manifest Destiny was spread after the Mexican American War. The Mexican American War ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Part of the treaty included the Mexican Cession of the land today known as California, Nevada, Utah, and Texas (Document 6). The addition of this land stimulated the spirit of Manifest Destiny and lead to the spread of people across the west as did the discovery of gold in California. John O’ Sullivan is considered to be the main person behind the ideas of Manifest Destiny. His views on territorial expansion included “the far-reaching, the boundless future will be the ear of American greatness” (Document 4). Part of the territorial expansion in the United States also included the Oregon Territory. The United States jointly occupied the land with Great Britain. The Treaty of 1818 determined where British territory and where the United States territory was. Many political figures supported the Oregon Territory. Missouri Senator, Thomas Hart Benton said that “The Settlers in Oregon will also recover and open for us the North American road to India!” (Document 5). At that time it was unknown that they was no route from Alaska to Asia by land but the thought motivated Americans to support expansion to the Oregon territory. As more land open up in the west, the Americans felt the need to push the Native Americans out of the eastern part of the