Americans Who Went West, The Expansion of Cotton, & The Closing of the Frontier

Corps of Discovery

The expedition led by Lewis and Clark to explore the newly acquired western territories of the United States.

Northwest Passage

A sea route through the Arctic Ocean, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, sought by explorers.

Corps of Discovery

The expedition led by Lewis and Clark to explore the newly acquired western territories of the United States.

Northwest Passage

A sea route through the Arctic Ocean, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, sought by explorers.

Sacagawea

A Shoshone woman who assisted the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a guide and interpreter.

Second Great Awakening

A Protestant religious revival during the early 19th century that emphasized individual piety and a personal relationship with God.

Andrew Jackson

The seventh president of the United States, known for his populist approach and for implementing the Indian Removal Act.

Cotton Gin

A machine invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 that efficiently separated cotton fibers from seeds, revolutionizing the cotton industry.

Indian Removal Act

A law enacted in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River.

Worcester vs. Georgia

An 1832 Supreme Court case that held that the Cherokee Nation was a distinct community and that Georgia's laws had no authority within it.

Treaty of New Echota

A controversial treaty signed in 1835 that ceded Cherokee land in the southeastern United States in exchange for land in the west.

2nd Seminole War

A conflict in Florida from 1835 to 1842 between the United States and the Seminole tribe over land and resistance.

Trail of Tears

The forced removal of Cherokee and other tribes from their homelands to designated Indian Territory, leading to significant suffering and death.

Second Middle Passage

The forced migration of enslaved people within the United States, particularly to the Deep South, as demand for cotton increased.

Oregon Fever

The mass movement of settlers to the Oregon Territory during the 1840s, driven by the promise of fertile land.

Oregon Trail

A historic east-to-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon.

Whitman Massacre

The killing of the Whitman family and several others in 1847, which sparked conflict between settlers and Native Americans.

California Gold Rush

A mass migration to California beginning in 1848 after gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill.

Gold Fever

The intense desire to find gold, which drove many to migrate and settle in California during the Gold Rush.

Walla Walla Treaty

An agreement made in 1855 between several Native American tribes and the United States government regarding land cessions.

Nez Perce War

A conflict between the Nez Perce tribe and the United States government in 1877, stemming from disputes over land and treaties.

Chief Joseph

The leader of the Nez Perce tribe, known for his resistance to U.S. government policies and his famous surrender speech.

Battle of Little Big Horn

An 1876 battle between the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry and Lakota and Cheyenne warriors, resulting in a significant defeat for the U.S. forces.

Sitting Bull

A Lakota Sioux leader who played a key role in resisting U.S. government policies and was a central figure during the Battle of Little Big Horn.

Treaty System

A series of treaties between the U.S. government and Native American tribes that aimed to define land rights and relationships.

Dawes Act

An 1887 law that aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by allotting them individual plots of land.

Elk v. Wilkins

An 1884 Supreme Court case that addressed the citizenship status of Native Americans and their rights to vote.

Ghost Dance

A religious movement among Native Americans in the late 19th century that sought to restore their past and promote a return to traditional practices.

Wounded Knee Massacre

The 1890 killing of hundreds of Lakota Sioux by U.S. soldiers at Wounded Knee Creek, marking the end of Indian resistance in the Great Plains.