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Who is tied to the belief of manifest destiny in America and what does it propose?
Manifest destiny is tied to Christian origins in America, and it proposes the belief that Americans are predestined by God to settle and expand out to the Pacific Ocean, with a divine right to claim Mexican and Indian lands.
What were the three main reasons for American migration West?
The three main reasons for American migration West were the abundance of land, economic mobility, and social freedoms, particularly religious freedom.
What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase?
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States as it existed in 1783 at the end of the Revolutionary War, accounting for one third of the total continent of the United States.
Who did Thomas Jefferson recruit to explore the vast new territory after acquiring the Louisiana Purchase?
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Name three of the most famous trails that Americans traveled on to settle in the West.
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Study Notes
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
- John O'Sullivan, a journalist, is credited with coining the term "Manifest Destiny" in 1845, which proposed that the US was destined to expand its territory across North America.
Reasons for American Migration West
- Economic opportunities: Many Americans moved west in search of land, gold, and better economic prospects.
- Religious freedom: Some groups, such as the Mormons, moved west to escape persecution and establish their own communities.
- Adventure and exploration: The unknown territories of the American West held a sense of adventure and promise for many settlers.
Louisiana Purchase
- In 1803, the US purchased approximately 828,000 square miles of land from France for $15 million, doubling the size of the country.
- The Louisiana Purchase marked a significant milestone in the country's westward expansion.
Exploration of the Louisiana Territory
- In 1804, Thomas Jefferson recruited Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead an expedition to explore the newly acquired territory and find a water route to the Pacific Ocean.
Famous Trails of the American West
- The Oregon Trail: Spanning over 2,170 miles, it connected the Missouri River to the Columbia River and was used by thousands of settlers.
- The California Trail: This trail branched off from the Oregon Trail and led to the Sacramento Valley in California, attracting many settlers during the California Gold Rush.
- The Santa Fe Trail: Established in 1821, this trail connected Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was a vital trade route for many years.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the belief in manifest destiny and the reasons for the mass migration westward in America during the 19th century.
