Manifest Destiny was based on the belief of cultural and racial superiority over other nations and the obligation to bring enlightenment and civilization to other races like the Native American Indians.

The notion of the ' Manifest Destiny ' of the United States was that the occupation the whole continent of North America, was a divine right of the American people. Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny for kids Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny PaintingĪmerican Progress 'Spirit of the Frontier' Americans were motivated to move west for a whole variety of practical reasons but they were inspired by the belief that the Manifest Destiny of the United States was God's will. In other words Westward Expansion enabled people to live the 'American Dream'. Westward Expansion offered people the opportunity to find new homes and work, to experience adventure, to explore possibilities, to become rich, to find gold or silver, to escape from the constraints of civilization and to make a new start. The potential of the new resources and the massive areas of land were waiting for American settlers to discover, some land was almost free. Why was westward expansion important and what were the reasons for Westward Expansion? There was a whole continent to explore that offered a range of different climates, geographical features, vegetation, animals and raw materials. But it was the people of America who built the systems making it possible for Westward Expansion to become viable and help the pioneers and settlers to head west and build new lives in new lands. The inventors during the period of the Industrial Revolution made new transportation systems such as the railroads possible. Henry Clay introduced the ' American System' that included a subsidized transportation infrastructure of new roads and canals.

The wars were waged by the military and U.S. Treaties were enacted by the politicians and the diplomats. Westward Expansion was led by all of the Presidents of the United States during this period. It could be said that between 1783-1912 all of the people of America were involved in the Westward Expansion of the United States.

Who was involved in the Westward Expansion? The admittance of Arizona to the Union completed the process of conquering, establishing and organizing the American West. Westward Expansion ended on Februwhen Arizona was admitted to the Union as the last of the 48 contiguous (adjoining) states. The 1783 Treaty of Paris was signed on Septemand ended the American Revolutionary War and established the early U.S. Westward Expansion began with the settlement of the first 13 colonies in the East. government divides reservation lands into farms for Native American families- Dawe’s Act.The Westward Expansion Map details the dates and the historical treaties made by the United States of America that increased the nation's lands and made Westward Expansion possible. Congress excludes Chinese immigrants from entrance to the United States 1882 – A.The transcontinental railroad is completed at Promontory Point, Utah.Native Americans are pushed across the Mississippi during the Trail of Tears 1830 – C.1887 – EĬhinese Exclusion Act Completion of Transcontinental Railroad Trail of Tears Dawe’s Act Homestead Act 1869 D 1830 C 1862 B 1882 A 1887 E government divides reservation lands into farms for Native American families. Native Americans are pushed across the Mississippi during the Trail of Tears 1830 - C.Congress excludes Chinese immigrants from entrance to the United States 1882 - A.

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