Manifest Destiny Timeline
1803
Louisiana PurchaseThe Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.1819
The Transcontinental Treaty with Spain cedes Florida and the Oregon Country to the United States. In exchange the United States recognized Spanish sovereignty over Texas.
May 28, 1830
Trail of TearsA painting shows many Cherokee taking the long, forced journey called the Trail of Tears. Thousands of them died along the way.
SuperStockEarly 1840s
Oregon Trail: Chimney RockApproaching Chimney Rock (1931), a painting by William Henry Jackson, depicts pioneers approaching the landmark in Nebraska along the Oregon Trail.
National Park Service1845
Magazine editor John L. O’Sullivan is the first to use the term manifest destiny, in an essay arguing for the annexation of Texas. Texas is admitted to the Union on December 29.
1846
February 2, 1848
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War. Under the treaty Mexico cedes to the U.S. nearly all of present New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Texas, and western Colorado.
December 30, 1853
Gadsden Purchase treatyThe United States and Mexico signed the treaty for the Gadsden Purchase on December 30, 1853.
National Archives, Washington, D.C.1867
U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward negotiates Alaska’s sale from Russia to the United States. The subsequent discovery of gold stimulates American settlement in Alaska.
1898
Rough RidersDuring the Spanish-American war Theodore Roosevelt (center) led the Rough Riders, pictured here at San Juan Heights, Santiago, Cuba, 1898.
National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Manifest Destiny Key Facts
Manifest Destiny | Key Facts
Causes and Effects of Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny | Causes & Effects