Unit IV Map Assignment
Westward Expansion
1) Using the dates of 1790, 1820 and 1850, illustrate the progression of expansion that the United States
experienced (use pgs. 360-361 and 542). On the map, label the geographic landmarks that comprised
the new western boundaries for each time period.
2) What was the importance of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 in relationship to the geography of the
United States in 1790? (Pg. 360) Locate and label the “geographical impacts” on the map.
3) Locate and label on the map the European claims that existed in North America prior to 1790 and then
prior to 1820. What possible problems or issues could arise as a result of this continued European
presence in the United States?
4) Many historians have considered the Louisiana Purchase to be “the best real estate bargain in history”.
Provide evidence that would prove this distinction to be accurate (mathematically compute the cost
per acre if the acquisition consisted of 885,000 square miles and there are 640 acres per 1 square
mile). Why was this purchase appealing to President Jefferson? (pgs. 338-340)
5) Locate and label the following land acquisitions on the map provided. If a page number is not
provided, use your devise to determine the new boundary established (or other impacts caused) by
that particular treaty.

Land Ordinance of 1785 (pg.226)

Jay’s Treaty (pg. 313)

Treaty of Greenville (pg. 316)

Adams-Onis Treaty (pgs. 365-366)

Webster-Ashburton Treaty (use device)

Oregon Treaty of 1846 (use device)

Alaska Purchase of 1867 (pg. 689)
6) Describe the components of the American military strategies (intent of the attacks and the focus of
their defenses) for the War of 1812. Locate and label on the map important battle sites. (pg.351)
7) Upon reflection, President Truman referred to the War of 1812 as the “silliest war we ever had”.
Based on the timing and the provisions of the Treaty of Ghent, what do you think was the rationale for
this assertive statement? (pg. 354-355)
8) What bold declaration does the Monroe Doctrine (pg. 367) proclaim? How might the War of 1812 have
influenced this new policy?
9) Based on your analysis of the illustration on pg. 383 and the map on pg. 381, why would you conclude
the removal of the Cherokee Indians was characterized as the Trail of Tears?
10) Congress passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. Locate and label on your map both the location of
evacuation and the eventual destination. Furthermore, explain how this was ironically a peaceful
resolution for some, yet a violent imposition for others. (p. 381-382)
11) What difficulties would the United States encounter in the Mexican War (especially considering the
location of the battles)? Identify specific inventions/advancements in technology (especially in regards
to transportation and communication) that would overcome these difficulties and enable the United
States to dominate their opponent. (pg. 410-416)
12) “The Mexican War was the most unjust war ever waged by a stronger nation against a weaker nation”.
What evidence (regarding the outcomes of battles) would validate this assessment? Identify the
territorial gains (based on the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo and the Gasden Purchase) that were made
as a result of this conflict. (pg. 526)
13) Explain how the philosophy of Manifest Destiny was used to justify the aggressive approach of
conquest used by the United States during the era of expansion. (pg. 516-517)
14) On the map provide, locate and label the destination for settlement (1800 to 1860) of the following
immigrant/religious groups. In addition, identify the motivation for settlement in that particular
geographic location.

Mormons (pgs. 531-532)

Jews (use device)

Catholics (use device and pg. 459)

Irish (pgs. 458, 658 and device)

Chinese (pgs. 538, 658)
15) What factors would result in the city of San Francisco experiencing significant population growth by
1850? How would the geographic location of San Francisco also promote the economic development
of the city? (pg. 534)