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Arguments Against Westward Expansion

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Westward Expansion
What does Westward Expansion mean? The term Westward Expansion is the acquisition of territories by the United States across the whole area of the North American continent, from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Westward expansion was enabled by buying land, wars, treaties and the displacement of Native American Indians. The rapid settlement of territories gained during the process of Westward Expansion was made possible by progressive transportation systems such as roads, canals and the railroads and the belief in the Manifest Destiny of the United States of America.
Thomas Jefferson had dreamed of exploring the West for a long time before he had even become President. In 1783 he had asked Clark's brother, George, to take on the challenge of exploring the Louisiana Territory. After finally purchasing the Louisiana Territory, Jefferson asked, his secretary of state, Lewis to go on the journey. Lewis was very intelligent and trustworthy, and after being given specific instructions and properly trained, he began the expedition on August 30, 1803 in Pittsburgh PA. William Clark would then offer to join Lewis on the expedition weeks later on October 13 at Camp Dubois, which is now in present-day Indiana. Jefferson had given Lewis authority as …show more content…

They had struggled to find food and water, and some of them died because of this situation. Some of them were not only lacking food for people, but also lacking food for horses. Not having enough food for themselves or their horses resulted in multiple deaths. People would also often get caught in dust storms and the wheels of their wagons would break. Sickness was also a typical cause of death during the Westward Expansion. Due to weather conditions people would either become sick because of the cold or they could also have heat stroke due to being in the sun for days on

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