Westward Expansion – AP US History | ShowMeClass

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Westward Expansion

AP US History · Unit 4: 1800–1848

Learning Objectives

Trace territorial acquisitions from 1803–1853

Understand Manifest Destiny ideology

Identify major trails and routes west

Analyze impact on Native Americans

Key Concept

Manifest Destiny — the belief that American settlers were destined by God to expand across North America. Coined by journalist John O'Sullivan in 1845.

The US grew from 888,811 mi² (1783) to 3,805,927 mi² (1853) — a 4.3× increase in 70 years.

Legend

Original 13 States

Louisiana Purchase

Mexican Cession

Oregon / Texas / Other

Manifest DestinyExpansionTerritory1803–1853

Year:1783

Area:888,811 mi²

Year

1783

Acquisitions

1

Total Area

888K mi²

Growth

1.0×

Selected

—

Timeline Year 1783

Jump to Acquisition

Show Trails

Territory Details

Quick Quiz▼

1. The Louisiana Purchase (1803) was bought from:

Spain France Britain Mexico

2. "Manifest Destiny" was coined in:

1803 1845 1848 1860

3. The Mexican Cession resulted from the:

War of 1812 Mexican-American War Spanish-American War Civil War