5 Questions
What was the main idea behind the concept of Manifest Destiny?
The idea that the US was destined to expand its territory across North America
What was the outcome of the Trail of Tears?
The deaths of thousands of Native Americans and the violation of their rights and treaties
What was the impact of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869?
It stimulated economic growth, trade, and settlement in the West
What was a common issue in industrial areas during the late 19th century?
Poor working conditions, long hours, and low wages
What term was used to describe wealthy industrialists and financiers who accumulated wealth during the late 1800s using unethical or exploitative methods?
Robber Baron
Study Notes
Westward Expansion
Manifest Destiny
- Belief that the US was destined to expand its territory across North America
- Coined by John O'Sullivan in 1845
- Influenced US foreign policy and westward expansion
- Justified the annexation of Texas, Oregon, and California
- Promoted American exceptionalism and nationalism
Trail of Tears
- Forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma)
- Occurred in 1838-1839 during the presidency of Andrew Jackson
- Resulted in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans
- Five Civilized Tribes affected: Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw
- Violation of Native American rights and treaties
Transcontinental Railroad
- Completed in 1869, connecting Omaha, Nebraska to Sacramento, California
- Reduced travel time from weeks to days
- Stimulated economic growth, trade, and settlement in the West
- Facilitated the growth of industries such as mining, agriculture, and commerce
Working Conditions in Industrial Areas
- Poor working conditions, long hours, and low wages in factories and mines
- Labor movements emerged to address these issues
- Child labor, worker exploitation, and hazardous conditions were common
- Urbanization and industrialization led to the growth of cities and social problems
Robber Barons
- Wealthy industrialists and financiers who accumulated wealth during the late 19th century
- Examples: Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan
- Critics accused them of exploiting workers, monopolizing industries, and corrupting politics
- Their business practices and philanthropy continue to be debated among historians
Test your knowledge of the US westward expansion, including Manifest Destiny, the Trail of Tears, the Transcontinental Railroad, working conditions, and Robber Barons.
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