Westward Expansion refers to the period in American history when people moved westward across the continent, starting in the late 1700s and continuing into the late 1800s. This movement had a significant impact on the land and the people who lived there, and it is an important part of American history.
Many national and state parks in the United States were established to preserve and interpret the history of westward expansion. For example:
- Oregon National Historic Trail, which follows the route of early pioneers who traveled westward in the 1840s to settle in the Oregon Country.
- California National Historic Trail, which follows the route of early pioneers who traveled westward in the 1840s and 1850s to settle in California
- Santa Fe National Historic Trail, which follows the route of traders, emigrants and soldiers who traveled westward in the 1800s
- Custer Battlefield National Monument, which marks the site of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, where the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry was defeated by a coalition of Native American tribes.
These parks often have historical markers, monuments, and other educational resources to help visitors learn about the park’s role in westward expansion and the history surrounding it. Many also have trails, campgrounds and other facilities that allow visitors to experience the landscapes and environments that the early settlers encountered on their journey westward.