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Westward Expansion Dbq

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Westward expansion played a huge part in history and helped the United States become what it is today. In 1803, the United States started expanding westward by obtaining more land. The United States got land through purchasing, negotiation, war, and annexation. Such a great expansion would surely have an impact on the country. Westward expansion impacted both positively and negatively the people living in America, the environment, and the growth of the United States. Different people experienced both positive and negative effects during Westward expansion. Many Americans were able to acquire new land, while some Native Americans were forced off of their home land. In Document B, in the picture American Progress by John Gast, it shows Americans riding their horses …show more content…

The United States obtained the Pacific coast; this was very useful for the beginning of trade with Japan and other East Asian countries. In a letter discussing the new cooperation in trade between the United States and Japan, it states “I am desirous that our two countries should trade with each other for the benefit both of Japan and the United States” (Document C). This evidence shows that because the United States now has the Pacific coast due to Westward expansion, they can now trade with new countries. If the United States did not acquire the East Coast and California, they would not be able to trade with Japan or other East Asian countries. The United States benefited greatly from being able to trade with new countries, as they could get a lot of new resources. The United States would not even be able to trade with the new countries if they did not go through Westward expansion. This new aspect of trading helped the United States grow and advance. In conclusion, Westward Expansion impacted the growth of the United States by allowing us to open up trade with new countries because we obtained the Pacific

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