U.S. History: Expansion and Conflict

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Louisiana Purchase

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1803, territory between the Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains acquired from France for $15,000,000 by the United States.

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Manifest Destiny

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The idea that Americans had the right to expand their country across the continent to the Pacific Coast; they believed it was God's will.

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Indian Removal Act

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An act passed by Congress in 1830 that allowed the federal government to negotiate land exchanges with the American Indians in the Southeast.

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Cherokee

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One of the five civilized tribes of the southeast. They were removed from their homes and forced to march the 'Trail of Tears'.

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Trail of Tears

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A forced march of the Cherokee for removal from Georgia to Oklahoma.

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Texas

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A nation from 1836 to 1846 after winning independence from Mexico. Annexed by the United States in 1846.

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Mexican American War

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The American victory in this war led to the acquisition of an enormous territory that included the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico.

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Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

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The President and military dictator of Mexico.

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Abolition Movement

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The movement to ban slavery.

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James K. Polk

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As President, he led the United States through the Mexican-American War, resulting in the U.S. gaining large territories along the Pacific coast and in the Southwest.