What is the westward expansion?

Westward expansion refers to the 19th-century movement of settlers and immigrants into the western territories of the United States, driven by a belief in Manifest Destiny—the idea that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. This period saw the acquisition of vast lands through treaties, purchases, and conflict, notably including the Louisiana Purchase and the annexation of Texas. The expansion had significant social, economic, and political implications, including the displacement of Native American tribes and the intensification of debates over slavery. Overall, westward expansion played a crucial role in shaping the United States into a continental nation.