Rapid growth of the United States’ population between 1800 and 1850, as well as two economic depressions, led to people moving West to start new lives. President Thomas Jefferson started the movement West when he did the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. President Jefferson was also the one who sponsored the western travels of Lewis and Clark in 1805-07. You can see their travel to the West on the diagram above.
The Manifest Destiny became even more real when the United States won the Mexican-American War (see picture below) and took over what is now called the Southwestern United States. This new territory brought up the question if slavery should be used there, or if it should be free. Many didn’t believe in slavery. This argument of slavery is what started the United States Civil War.
How did the Manifest Destiny affect the United States? It caused people to migrate and live in the Western and Southern States. It also got more land from Mexico and Great Britain. Many Indians and buffalo died in the process.
The Manifest Destiny became even more real when the United States won the Mexican-American War (see picture below) and took over what is now called the Southwestern United States. This new territory brought up the question if slavery should be used there, or if it should be free. Many didn’t believe in slavery. This argument of slavery is what started the United States Civil War.
How did the Manifest Destiny affect the United States? It caused people to migrate and live in the Western and Southern States. It also got more land from Mexico and Great Britain. Many Indians and buffalo died in the process.