Manifest Destiny
How America Expanded Westward
The West
Why Did They Move?
Many people that settled out west went to find economic opportunities, mostly in agriculture. The government at the time gave land grants to those to moved west to promote the population of these areas.
Railroads
Many railroads were being built from the east coast to more western territory to help with migration to new opportunities.
The Annexation of Texas
Many American settlers moved into Texas, which at the time was controlled by Mexico. Eventually America fought Mexico for control of this territory, and eventually won, gaining Texas, as well as territories that are present day California, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico.
Impact on the Native Americans
Since the idea of "Manifest Destiny" was giving early settlers an excuse to push out Native Americans from their homes. Many battles were fought between the settlers and the natives and many lives were lost on both sides.
In The South
The Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin helped spread a slaved based economy and created the "Cotton Kingdom" in the deep south.