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Breaking Barriers for Westward Expansion

Breaking Barriers for Westward Expansion

The concept of Manifest Destiny prompted Americans to follow the advice of a prominent journalist to “Go West, young man.”

Throughout the 19th century, Congress promoted exploration of the American West. As the United States grew “from sea to shining sea” with the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican Cession from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, white settlers changed the landscape as they transformed forests into fields. However, some of the people already living in the West did not want to be part of the American empire. Trace the challenges and questions Congress and the American people have faced as they turned to the West.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787, passed July 13, 1787 Northwest Ordinance of 1787, passed July 13, 1787 - Page 1 The authors of the Northwest Ordinance believed educated citizens were critical to the success of self-government.  Article 3 declared, “. . .…
Nicolas de Finiels, Map of the Missouri River Nicolas de Finiels, Map of the Missouri River Nicolas de Finiels, Map of the Missouri River from St. Charles to the Mandan Villages, 1798, based on surveys by James Mackay and John Evans
Proclamation to the residents of the Province of Louisiana, December 20, 1803 Proclamation to the residents of the Province of Louisiana, December 20, 1803 In this proclamation William Claiborne, Territorial Governor of Mississippi, announced that “Louisiana” was now part of the Union and promised that…
This 1811 map of North America This 1811 map of North America This 1811 map of North America includes the Louisiana Territory, which doubled the nation’s size. Geography and Maps Division, Library of Congress
President Jefferson’s Confidential Message to Congress, January 18, 1803 President Jefferson’s Confidential Message to Congress On January 18, 1803, President Jefferson sent to Congress a request for an appropriation to finance an expedition to the West, which would seek to…
List of Supplies and Indian Presents for Lewis and Clark Expedition, ca. June 1803 List of Supplies and Indian Presents for Lewis and Clark Expedition, ca. June 1803 Meriwether Lewis, after close consultation with President Jefferson, requisitioned the supplies needed for the expedition from the War Department.…
Tracing of Western North America, engraved map by Nicholas King, ca. 1803, with annotations by Meriwether Lewis, ca. 1804 Tracing of Western North America, engraved map by Nicholas King, ca. 1803, with annotations by Meriwether Lewis, ca. 1804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark likely used this map for at least the initial part of their voyage. Nicolas King, a War Department cartographer,…
Letter from Meriwether Lewis to Thomas Jefferson, July 8, 1803 Letter from Meriwether Lewis to Thomas Jefferson, July 8, 1803 To obtain weapons and other equipment for the expedition, Meriwether Lewis went to the federal arsenal and industrial town of Harpers Ferry, Virginia…
A pioneer's log cabin, ca. 1810 A pioneer's log cabin, ca. 1810 A pioneer's log cabin, ca. 1810 Reproduced from Pioneer History of the Holland Purchase, by O. Turner, General Collections, Library of Congress
Settlers changed the landscape Settlers changed the landscape Settlers changed the landscape as they transformed forests into fields. Reproduced from Travels in the Interior Inhabited Parts of North America, by…
Petition from Bowdoinham, Maine, against the annexation of Texas, December 12, 1837 Petition from Bowdoinham, Maine, against the annexation of Texas, December 12, 1837 Residents of Maine petitioned Congress against the annexation of Texas, citing three reasons. First, Mexico did not recognize Texas’s independence,…
Battle of Buena Vista, color lithograph by J. Baillie, ca. 1847 Battle of Buena Vista, color lithograph by J. Baillie, ca. 1847 At a decisive battle at Buena Vista in northern Mexico, U.S. troops under General Zachary Taylor held the line against Mexican cavalry. Prints and…
Mapa de los Estados Unidos de Mejico [Map of the United States of Mexico] by J. Disturnell, 1847 Mapa de los Estados Unidos de Mejico [Map of the United States of Mexico] by J. Disturnell, 1847 Negotiators of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo agreed to use an 1847 map by J. Disturnell as the reference for the new boundary between the U.S. and…
H.R. 6729, An Act to confirm a certain private land claim in the Territory of New Mexico, 1881 H.R. 6729, An Act to confirm a certain private land claim in the Territory of New Mexico, 1881 The House of Representatives introduced private legislation in 1881 confirming a land grant for heirs of Jose Julian Martínez. Ultimately Congress…
Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way, by Emanuel Leutze, 1862 Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way, by Emanuel Leutze, 1862 This mural, located in the west grand stairway of the House wing, was the only work of art made for the Capitol during the Civil War. Architect of…
Map, Territory of the United States from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, compiled by G.K. Warren et al.,1858 Map, Territory of the United States from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, compiled by G.K. Warren et al.,1858 With appropriations from Congress, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis commissioned the Army Corps of Engineers to explore four routes from the…
Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains . . . , and to Oregon and North California . . . , by John C. Frémont et al., 1845 Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains . . . , and to Oregon and North California . . . , by John C. Frémont et al., 1845 To expand its knowledge of the West, the U.S. Senate commissioned a report on John C. Frémont’s expeditions. The publication aided Congress and…
Petition against annexation, Women's Hawaiian Patriotic League of the Hawaiian Islands, September 11, 1897 Petition against annexation by Women's Hawaiian Patriotic League of the Hawaiian Islands In 1897, President William McKinley signed a treaty to annex Hawaii and submitted it to the Senate for ratification. Many Native Hawaiians opposed…