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Transcontinental Railroad

In 1862, the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroad companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would connect the United States from east to west. Building the transcontinental railroad took seven years. it was 1,776 miles long and served for the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States to be connected by rail for the first time in history. The transcontinental Railroad was finished by May 10, 1869, this revolutioninzed the American economy by making transportation easier.

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny- a belief shared by many Americans in the mid-1800s that the United States should expand across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. People in the U.S. believed it was obvious fate, to settle land all the way to the Pacific Oceanin order to spread democracy. Many farmers moving west depended on land and wealth to be gained as the nation expanded westward. The success of farmers in Texas and the discovery of gold in California encouraged and supported this way of thinking. Business-men looked to the west for new economic opportunities because the United States had suffered several economic depressions. New markets and better trade routes to countries in the Pacific region would be developed.

Westward Expansion

U.S.-Mexican War

Westward Expansion

The origin of the U.S. -Mexican War can largely be traced back to Texas winning its independence in 1836. The mexican government refused to honor promises made by Santa Anna, therfore territory and border disputes led to conflicts and tension. As a result of the defeat, Santa Anna resigned as president, and the U.S. waited for a new government capable of negotiations to form. On Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, establishing the Rio Grande as the U.S.-Mexican border. Under the treaty Mexico also recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas, and agreed to sell California and the rest of its teriitory north of the Rio Grande.This land exchange, which had originally led to greater U.S. expansion,ultimately led to further conflicts both international and national when on the terms of the U.S. situation. After loosing almost half of its territory, Mexico was feeling all but kindness toward its neighbor to the north.

Thomas Jefferson believed the nations future depended on Westward Expansion. Settlers began moving west from the Atlantic coast , in the early 1800s, the promise of new farmland and other work opportunities brought many people to the West.

Northwest Ordinance

The Northwest Ordinance was passed by the second continental congress on July 13, 1787.

Purpose of the Northwest Ordinance:

The Northwest Ordinance guaranteed that newly created states would be equal to the orginal thirteen states. The requirements for statehood:

When the population reached 60,000 the territory could apply for statehood.

Why Bishop Benjamin William Arnett celebrated the passage of the Northwest Ordinance:

He celebrated the passage of the Northwest Ordinance because it set up an orderly way for western lands to become states.

Impact of the Northwest Ordinance:

The Northwest Ordinance prohibited slavery.

California Gold Rush

The California gold rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall. From all over California, people raced to the American River-starting the Gold Rush. The gold prospectors also known as the 49ers caused Californias population to quickly rise. Because of this later on California became the 31st state to join the U.S. in 1850. Many people came to California to look for gold, but there were only two routes that led to California. The unpopular route took a long amount of time for the journey, not only that but people also suffered, getting bug infrections, sea sick, etc... The other route was the Oregon-California trail, this was the more popular route, people traveled on this trail by wagons.

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