Westward Expansion (1803-1861)

The westward expasion of the United States is one of the defining themes of the 19th century American history. Between 1803-1861 the people and the institutions of the United States expanded into what is now Oklahoma. Oklahoma did not become a part of the United States until 1803, when the new American republic acquired the the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from Canada to New Orleans, and it doubled the size of the United States. Westward Expasion caused the United States to enlarge and be able to trade economics. Trail of tears is considered a shameful act to the United States.