The history of American expansion followed a clear pattern in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Using what you learned in this lesson, explain how the expanding territory led to the expanding settlement of the US. Give your response in the form of at least three complete sentences.

Ever since the Louisiana purchase during President Thomas Jefferson's administration the US had been expanding to the territories in the West encouraging settlers to migrate travelling mostly by wagon on trails such as the Oregon trail, across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. President Jefferson had fostered this Westward migration as an opportunity for settlers because he believed "those who labor the earth are God's chosen people". If we pair this with other opportunies for success such as vast amount of land that could be obtained cheaply, mining opportunities for silver and gold pioneers found enough reasons to flock to the West between 1800 and 1860 making the United States doubled in size.