One trend that can be observed in the early years of the United States is westward expansion. Starting from the late 18th century until the mid-19th century, the United States underwent significant territorial growth across the continent. This expansion was primarily driven by various factors, including the desire for more land, resources, economic opportunities, and the belief in the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, which held that it was the nation's fate to expand and possess the entire continent. The acquisition of territories such as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Oregon Territory in 1846, and the Mexican Cession in 1848, among others, expanded the United States' territorial boundaries and played a crucial role in shaping the nation's identity and development.
