Westward Expansion
LEQ: How did westward expansion transform the nation?
The expansion of Europeans into the western area of the United States began shortly after the first colonial settlements were established along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. This westward movement was influenced by geography and economic opportunity. Settlers also had a strong belief in manifest destiny, where the people believed that they were destined to make the United States stretch from coast to coast. Land was the sign of power and expansion of the country made the U.S. a stronger nation. This changed the shape and size of the country and how it functioned. It helped boost the economy, there was more farming and factories. Trading with other countries increased. The U.S. became a wealthy, confident and leading nation. |