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The Role Of The Mississippi River In The Expansion Of America

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The oppression of the American colonists by British Parliament sparked a series of events that led to the American Revolution. The goal of the American Revolution was to protect the "liberty and republican government." (American Horizons, p. 252) After eighteen years of revolt, on September 3, 1783, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, and Henry Laurens bargained with the French and the British and signed the Treaty of Paris, thus ending the American Revolution. The Treaty of Paris also established the borders of the United States from the Atlantic Coast to the Mississippi River and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico; however, these borders later expanded over the next seventy years. Through land purchases, treaties, and war, the United States expanded its borders to become the nation it is today.

The Mississippi River played a crucial role in agriculture and trade, which is why the Americans living west of the Appalachian Mountains heavily relied on it. In Jefferson's view, the development of land for agriculture was key in achieving prosperity. Because of this, Jefferson wanted to hinder …show more content…

The desire for expansion and success motivated Thomas Jefferson to expand the nation's borders and there is no better reason than to do so for agrarian purposes. Agriculture and trade are two of the most important aspects in the development and expansion of a nation. Without the knowledge of farming and trade, debt and hunger would have forced Americans to migrate back to their native land. However, with trade came international conflict. After the American Revolution, France, Britain and Spain all traded with Americans. During the Anglo-French War, American exports grew as result of the United States becoming the main trade between France, Britain and their rival colonies in the Carribean. Trade fluctuated as the Europeans and Carribean declared and ended war (American Horizons, p.

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