Changes

The 1840s was a decade of expansion and social change for the growing United States.  Counting California, which joined the Union in 1850, five new states were added to the United States:  Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin and California.  This included the two largest states in area in the continental United States (California and Texas), and what are now three of the four largest in population (California, Texas and Florida).  The nation as we know it today was taking shape.

The 1840s was a decade of expansion and social change for the growing United States.  Counting California, which joined the Union in 1850, five new states were added to the United States:  Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin and California.  This included the two largest states in area in the continental United States (California and Texas), and what are now three of the four largest in population (California, Texas and Florida).  The nation as we know it today was taking shape.

A widespread belief in "Manifest Destiny" was driving this growth.  Manifest Destiny was the concept that westward expansion was part of God's plan for the United States to spread out over the continent.  They believed that exploration and expansion was a mission from God.

A widespread belief in "Manifest Destiny" was driving this growth.  Manifest Destiny was the concept that westward expansion was part of God's plan for the United States to spread out over the continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.  They believed that exploration and expansion was a mission from God.

In 1842, the United States resolved some minor disputes with Canada (still a British colony) over the location of the border.  Known as the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, this resolved the location of the northern border of Maine, agreed on the location of the border in the Great Lakes (and shared use of those Lakes), and affirmed the use of the 49 degrees latitude as the border in the west.  Daniel Webster, then the Secretary of State (who otherwise was a prominent Senator), signed the Treaty for the United States and the U.S. Senate ratified it as required by the Constitution.

In 1842, the United States resolved some minor disputes with Canada (still a British colony) over the location of the border.  Known as the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, this resolved the location of the northern border of Maine, agreed on the location of the border in the Great Lakes (and shared use of those Lakes), and affirmed the use of the 49 degrees latitude as the border in the west.  Daniel Webster, then the Secretary of State (who otherwise was a prominent Senator), signed the Treaty for the United States and the U.S. Senate ratified it as required by the Constitution.