What is westward expansion about?

Westward expansion refers to the 19th-century movement of settlers into the American West, driven by the belief in Manifest Destiny—the idea that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. This period saw the acquisition of vast territories through treaties, purchases, and conflicts, including the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican-American War. The expansion significantly impacted Indigenous populations, leading to displacement and cultural changes. It also contributed to economic growth and the development of new states, but it intensified debates over slavery and contributed to regional tensions leading up to the Civil War.