Unit 4/ Target 3: I can explain the westward expansion of the United States.
-Manifest Destiny
- Louisiana Purchase and the growth of commercial agriculture
-Mexican-American War
Manifest Destiny
Define the term manifest destiny: _______________________________________
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Use the back of your Manifest Destiny map to answer:
What piece of land was claimed by both the U.S. and Britain but split between the two
countries in a compromise?
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Which state was once its own independent republic?
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Which piece of land was ceded (given up) by Mexico after the Mexican-American War?
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Which was the last piece of land obtained by the United States to complete the
contiguous United States?
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Which piece of land doubled the size of the country at the time it was obtained?
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Which piece of land was bought from Spain to complete the eastern seaboard of the U.S.?
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What border line was set with Canada as a result of the War of 1812?
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As land was gained in the west, people saw an opportunity to move and farm the land. Due to
advancements in agriculture technology; such as the mechanical reaper, steel plow and better farming
methods, farmers could now have farms which created huge surpluses with fewer people. This is called
commercial agriculture. It can be defined as farming as a business for profit, not just for
subsistence.
Why would commercial agriculture be important for the growth of United States in the
1800’s?
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