American frontier history

American frontier history centers on the expansion westward across North America from the 17th to 19th centuries. This period involved exploration, settlement, and economic development as settlers moved beyond established colonies into unknown territories. Key events include the Louisiana Purchase, the Oregon Trail, the California Gold Rush, and the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny—the belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. This expansion often led to conflicts with Indigenous peoples, displacement, and significant cultural and environmental changes. The frontier era shaped the nation’s territorial growth, identity, and economic foundations, leaving a lasting legacy on American history.