Glossary


 * ** Empire ** - A group of nations or peoples controlled by one sovereign nation.


 * ** Good Neighbor Policy, the ** - Where America would step in to help another nation with their economy, and thus gaining control of it.


 * ** Homestead Act of 1862, the ** - Distributed 160 acres of government land to people, who would be able to keep the land if they improved it within five years.


 * ** Imperialism ** - The push for overseas expansion.


 * **Indian Wars** - Fought between the U.S. and the Native Americans over Indian Territory. Ended in a Native American defeat.


 * ** Land Ordinance of 1785 ** - One of the earliest means of creating boundaries.


 * ** Louisiana Purchase, the ** - The acquisition of the Louisiana territory from Napoleon Bonaparte after he lost control of Haiti and failed to create a New World empire. It was meant to repay the French debt to America.


 * ** Manifest Destiny ** - The American justification for their overwhelming expansion.


 * ** Mexican-American War ** - Fought between Mexico and America. Ended in an American win, and allowed the U.S. to gain Mexico's territory.


 * ** Open Door Policy, the ** - Declared that the U.S. had the right to advance its commercial interests anywhere in the world, at least on terms equal to those of the other imperialist nations.


 * ** Overland Trails (1840s) ** - Trails crossing the North to California, Oregon, and the Mormon community in Utah.


 * ** Santa Fe Trail (1821) ** - The first trail to encroach upon Indian territory.


 * ** Seward's Icebox ** - The purchase of Alaska from Russia.


 * ** Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-06) ** - Exploration of the Louisiana territory.


 * ** Transcontinental Railroad ** - A railroad expanding across America.


 * ** Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ** - Ended the Mexican-American War, and transferred the Mexican Territory to America.


 * ** Treaty of Paris, the (1783) ** - Ended the Revolutionary War, and made the thirteen colonies into an independent country.


 * ** Turner's Frontier Thesis ** - Stated that the Frontier had been vital in the growth and development of American culture.


 * ** War of 1812 ** - The war that finally solidified American independence. It was fought against Britain, and successfully pushed Britain back, and contained them to Canada.


 * ** The White Man's Burden ** - The idea that it was the duty of Americans to go to other countries and help them to convert to Christianity and develop a government.