1) Americans justified westward expansion through the belief in "Manifest Destiny", the idea that it was God's plan for America to control all of North America. 2) They expanded westward through various means such as treaties, purchases of territory like the Louisiana Purchase, and wars with Mexico which resulted in additional land acquisitions. 3) Between 1820 and 1850, 4 million Americans moved west, helping to populate and claim more of the western lands, furthering the cause of Manifest Destiny.

1. Aim: How did Americans
justify westward expansion?
Do Now:
1. In your groups, label yourselves
#1- #4.
2. Go to the section of the room
with your number.
3. Look and analyze your
document.

2. Jigsaw:
1. Now go back to your original
group with your document…
2. Try to solve the puzzle by putting
the visuals together.
3. Then, respond;
What does the ‘bigger
picture’ portray? why?

3. 1. In what direction is she moving?
2. What book do you think she is holding?
3. What is she bringing with her?
American Progress – John Gast (1872)

4. “Manifest Destiny”:
MANIFEST DESTINY=“OBVIOUS FUTURE”:
the belief that it was America’s destiny and
responsibility to control all of North America,
because it was God’s plan.
 In what direction is
he pointing
towards?

5. 1. According to the song, what is Manifest Destiny?
2. Which president helped in expanding the U.S.?
3. Why do you think that adding states in the West will result in “the ultimate
test”? what can you predict could happen in the US as more states are
added?

6. Why move West?
Economic
reasons
Social
reasons
Political
reasons

7. #1
Revolutionary
War
(1783)
#2
Louisiana
Purchase
(1803)
#3
Purchased
from Florida
(1821)
#4
Texas
Annexation
(1845)
#6
Mexican
Cession
(1848)
#5
Treaty
with
Britain
(1846)
#7
Purchased
from Mexico
(1853)

8. • MANIFEST DESTINY was achieved in many
ways:
By treaty, by purchase, and by war

9. Acquisition Map

10. Between 1820 and 1850, 4 million
People move West!!!

11. Task: read John
O’Sullivan’s interpretation of
America’s Manifest Destiny

12. Closure: How did Americans
justify westward expansion?