How was the creation of new territories and states related to westward expansion?

The creation of new territories and states was intrinsically linked to westward expansion, as the U.S. sought to extend its borders and influence across North America. As settlers moved westward, the government established new territories to organize and manage these regions, often leading to their eventual admission as states. This process reflected the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which held that it was the nation's destiny to expand from coast to coast, and it also intensified conflicts over issues like slavery and Native American displacement. Thus, the establishment of new states and territories was both a catalyst for and a consequence of the westward movement.