How long did the westward expansion take?

The westward expansion of the United States took place from the late 18th century to the late 19th century. It was a process of exploration, colonization, and acquisition of new territories by the United States, resulting in the expansion of its territory from the original thirteen colonies to the Pacific Ocean.

Here's a timeline of some key events related to the westward expansion:

1787: Northwest Ordinance establishes a system for surveying and selling public land in the Northwest Territory.

1803: The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France, doubling the size of the country.

1805-1806: Lewis and Clark Expedition explores the Louisiana Territory and the Pacific Northwest.

1819: The United States acquires Florida from Spain as part of the Adams-Onís Treaty.

1846: The United States annexes the Republic of Texas, which had gained independence from Mexico in 1836.

1848: The Mexican-American War ends with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and the United States gains California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, as well as parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

1849: The California Gold Rush begins, leading to a rapid influx of settlers to California.

1853: The Gadsden Purchase adds a southern portion of Arizona and New Mexico to the United States.

1861-1865: The American Civil War takes place, with the Union victory preserving the United States as a single nation.

1867: The United States purchases Alaska from Russia.

1869: The Transcontinental Railroad is completed, connecting the East and West coasts of the United States.

1876: The Battle of Little Bighorn marks a significant defeat of the U.S. Army by Native American tribes, but also represents the end of large-scale Native American resistance to westward expansion.

1898: The United States acquires Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines as a result of the Spanish-American War.

By the end of the 19th century, the westward expansion of the United States had been largely completed, and the country had reached its current continental size.