APUSH: Period 6, 1865-1898 - Westward Expansion and the Closing of the Frontier

Why This Matters

Westward Expansion and the Closing of the Frontier is a pivotal period in American history that shaped the country's identity, politics, and economy. The expansion of the United States across North America, driven by Manifest Destiny, had far-reaching consequences, including the displacement of Native American tribes, the growth of slavery, and the transformation of the country's geography and economy. Understanding this period is essential for grasping the complexities of American identity, the role of government in shaping the country's development, and the ongoing legacies of colonialism and imperialism.

Key Events & People

• The Louisiana Purchase (1803): The United States acquired over 828,000 square miles of land from France, doubling the country's size and setting the stage for westward expansion.
• The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806): Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, this expedition mapped the western territories and established trade relationships with Native American tribes.
• The Mexican-American War (1846-1848): The United States defeated Mexico, resulting in the U.S. gaining control of a significant amount of land, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.
• The Homestead Act (1862): Signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, this act allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land for free, provided they lived on it and farmed it for five years.
• The Transcontinental Railroad (1869): Completed by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, this railroad connected the east and west coasts of the United States, facilitating westward migration and economic growth.
• The Dawes Act (1887): Also known as the General Allotment Act, this law divided Native American land into individual allotments, which could be sold to non-Native Americans, leading to the loss of tribal land and cultural heritage.
• The Ghost Dance (1890): A spiritual movement among Native American tribes, which was violently suppressed by the U.S. military, marking the end of the Indian Wars and the closing of the frontier.
• Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy (1901-1909): Roosevelt's foreign policy approach, which emphasized assertive diplomacy and military power, helped to establish the United States as a global power and marked the end of the frontier era.
• The Oklahoma Land Run (1889): A land rush in which settlers claimed land in what is now Oklahoma, marking the final major land rush in the United States and the closing of the frontier.
• John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company (1808): A fur trading company that played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States and the exploitation of Native American resources.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Louisiana Purchase (1803)
  • Effect: The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)
  • Long-term consequence: The expansion of U.S. territory and the growth of the country's economy
• Cause: The Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
  • Effect: The U.S. gaining control of a significant amount of land
  • Long-term consequence: The displacement of Native American tribes and the growth of slavery
• Cause: The Homestead Act (1862)
  • Effect: The settlement of the Great Plains and the growth of agriculture
  • Long-term consequence: The transformation of the U.S. economy and the growth of cities

Essential Vocabulary

• Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory across North America.
• Frontier: The border or edge of a country or region, often associated with the idea of expansion and settlement.
• Homesteading: The practice of settling on and farming land, often with the goal of becoming a landowner.
• Allotment: A division of land, often used to describe the division of Native American land into individual allotments.
• Ghost Dance: A spiritual movement among Native American tribes, which was violently suppressed by the U.S. military.
• Big Stick Diplomacy: A foreign policy approach that emphasizes assertive diplomacy and military power.
• Land Run: A land rush in which settlers claimed land, often in a short period of time.
• Fur Trade: The trade in animal pelts, often associated with the westward expansion of the United States.
• Transcontinental Railroad: A railroad that connects the east and west coasts of the United States.
• Dawes Act: A law that divided Native American land into individual allotments, which could be sold to non-Native Americans.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Mexican-American War was fought over the issue of slavery.
• Correction: The war was actually fought over the issue of territory and the U.S. desire to expand its borders.
• What students often get wrong: The Homestead Act was passed during the Civil War.
• Correction: The act was passed in 1862, during the administration of President Abraham Lincoln.
• What students often get wrong: The Dawes Act was passed to help Native American tribes.
• Correction: The act was actually passed to divide Native American land into individual allotments, which could be sold to non-Native Americans.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the U.S. government in the westward expansion of the United States. Be sure to include the Louisiana Purchase, the Mexican-American War, and the Dawes Act in your response.
  • Specific evidence: The Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803), the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), and the Dawes Act (1887)
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the impact of westward expansion on Native American tribes. Be sure to include the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Ghost Dance, and the Wounded Knee Massacre in your response.
  • Specific evidence: The Lewis and Clark Expedition Journal (1804-1806), the Ghost Dance Movement (1890), and the Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)
• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Transcontinental Railroad in the westward expansion of the United States. Be sure to include the construction of the railroad, its impact on the economy, and its impact on Native American tribes in your response.
  • Specific evidence: The Transcontinental Railroad Act (1862), the completion of the railroad (1869), and the impact of the railroad on Native American tribes (e.g., the forced relocation of the Sioux tribe)

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main reason for the Mexican-American War?
   • Correct answer: The U.S. desire to expand its territory
   • Explanation: The war was fought over the issue of territory, not slavery.
2. What was the purpose of the Dawes Act?
   • Correct answer: To divide Native American land into individual allotments, which could be sold to non-Native Americans
   • Explanation: The act was passed to help the U.S. government assimilate Native American tribes into white culture.
3. What was the significance of the Ghost Dance?
   • Correct answer: It was a spiritual movement among Native American tribes that was violently suppressed by the U.S. military
   • Explanation: The Ghost Dance was a response to the loss of land and cultural heritage among Native American tribes.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Louisiana Purchase was negotiated by Robert Livingston, James Monroe, and François Barbé-Marbois.
• The Lewis and Clark Expedition lasted from 1804 to 1806.
• The Mexican-American War was fought from 1846 to 1848.
• The Homestead Act was passed in 1862.
• The Dawes Act was passed in 1887.
• The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869.
• The Ghost Dance was violently suppressed by the U.S. military in 1890.
• The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred in 1890.
• The Oklahoma Land Run was held in 1889.
• John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company was established in 1808.
• The term "Manifest Destiny" was first used in 1845.