American Indians lived in teepees they could take with them as they followed herds of buffalo.

Prospectors hurried to California to try to get rich during the Gold Rush.

Colonists in the South built an economy focused on agriculture because of the region's climate and soil.

Pioneers crossed the Rocky Mountains on their way to the Oregon Territory.

It doubled the size of the U.S.

It ended westward expansion in the U.S.

It started a war between the U.S. and France.

It nearly bankrupted the U.S.

Area A

Area B

Area C

Area D

Area A

Area B

Area C

Area D

Area A

Area B

Area C

Area D

Goals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Motivations for Westward Expansion

Obstacles on the Oregon Trail

Reasons for U.S. Territorial Expansion

Americans believed that American Indians in the west were more peaceful than the American Indians in the east.

Americans believed they would be safer if they moved west because that would put more distance between them and powerful European countries.

Americans believed the land to the east of the Mississippi River was not good for farming.

Americans believed it was their right and duty to move west and occupy the entire width of the continent.