Westward+Expansion+Primary+Source+Analysis

= (ES) Source 1: Image Source = Bowes, John. "Indian Removal Act of 1830." //American History//. ABC-CLIO, 2009. Web. 1 Nov. 2009. .

This image was painted by Boqueto de Woieseri of New Orleans in 1803. This source captures the ideas of westward expansion during the Market Revolution. The harbor with many boats shows the new growth in commercialism and trade that comes from the development of new towns in the west. The forest that lies behind the town shows the unknown and uncertain newly acquired land to the west, the opportunity to develop the land for the benefit of the country. Along with the ships and mercantilism shown in the picture, the cows suggest farm life. This shows the different types of people and expansion benefiting from the westward movement. The Market Revolution was a major growth in economics and the westward movement helped many people commercially. More farmland and trade will benefit from this expansion. “Under my wings everything prospers” shows the idea that God is the justification for the westward expansion. “Manifest Destiny” was the saying used to describe the idea that it was Gods given right to the people of American to go westward and have that land. This saying shows that they believe God wants them to settle west and that the commercialism of the country will build it up. Also, the blue sky in the picture suggests happiness and tranquility. This sky shows the hope of the people that this westward expansion is full of opportunity and great things.

= Source 2: Text Source = "Lewis and Clark Expedition: Journals (1804-1806)." //American History//. ABC-CLIO, 2009. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. .

April 07, 1805 [Meriwether Lewis] Fort Mandan

Our vessels consisted of six small canoes, and two large perogues. This little fleet altho' not quite so rispectable as those of Columbus or Capt. Cook, were still viewed by us with as much pleasure as those deservedly famed adventurers ever beheld theirs; and I dare say with quite as much anxiety for their safety and preservation. we were now about to penetrate a country at least two thousand miles in width, on which the foot of civilized man had never trodden; the good or evil it had in store for us was for experiment yet to determine, and these little vessells contained every article by which we were to expect to subsist or defend ourselves. . . enterta[in]ing as I do, the most confident hope of succeeding in a voyage which had formed a da[r]ling project of mine for the last ten years, I could but esteem this moment of my departure as among the most happy of my life. The party are in excellent health and sperits, zealously attached to the enterprise, and anxious to proceed; not a whisper of murmur or discontent to be heard among them, but all act in unison, and with the most perfict harmony.

This is a primary source from Lewis’ journal before the beginning of Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the west. This journal entry helps to illuminate the immensity of the westward expansion’s impact on the country. This connects to the Market Revolution as a big idea because this exploration westward was the starting point for the revolution and the expansion. Without the exploration, people may not have moved west, therefore not allowing a great a growth of commercialism and industrialism, and revolution of the country. Westward expansion was also a big leap of faith for the country as a whole. Many people moved westward without knowing what they were going to encounter, “most confident hope of succeeding”. Lewis and Clark’s exploration benefited the country as a whole and allowed the expansion to commence. This journal entry says that they men on the journey are excited, “excellent…sperits” and ready to go. This attitude mirrors the attitude of the country and settlers moving west. The westward expansion offered many opportunities to all kinds of people, from farmers, to merchants, to jobs for poor people. Lewis writes in his journal that the explorers may not receive the attention for the exploration that they deserved; however, their exploration started the new era of industrialization and commercialism that came from the new expansion of the country.

= Source 3: Image Source = [|http://www.americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display.aspx categoryid=4&entryid=288538&searchtext=westward+expansion&type=simple&option=all]

This image source shows Tecumseh, and Indian chief, and William Henry Harrison. This picture shows an encounter between these two people during the War of 1812. This image source is important to westward expansion during the time because it shows the ideas of how the Americans viewed the Indians and other people in the west. This is also important to the Market Revolution because the new ideas encapsulated in the revolution were the ideas that the Americans were superior to all other peoples. The new expansion of the country left Americans feeling more powerful. The acquisition of the new land during the Louisiana Purchase enhanced the idea that a larger country would create a stronger country and federal government. This mentality carried over to the Americans dealings with the Indians already settled in the west. The Americans believed that they were greater and simply ignored the Indians or forced them to leave the territory to a certain designated place. In this picture, Tecumseh is angry and holding an axe. Harrison is standing composed with a sword simply held for defense. This image shows the idea that the Americans were superior and more civilized than the savage indians. Therefore, the Americans have right to the western land.