Read the passage from the website: www. growingnation. org After the American Revolution, the newly formed United States realized that it lacked room to grow. The states created in the Declaration of Independence in 1776 were limited in size. As the population increased, more people were competing for the same amount of land. Consequently, land became more expensive, and overcrowding became an issue. The thirteen states were bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the territories of other nations. If the United States was going to have a future, it needed to increase its territory.

Read the passage from the website: www. expandingcountries. edu/unitedstates/louisianapurchase< br />
The United States was determined to expand west. Americans believed in Manifest Destiny, or their divine right to expand and spread democracy. They wanted to go west and live freely without the restrictions of the strict laws in the East. Other issues in the East included limited religious freedom and a lack of jobs. The promise of open land, new jobs, and religious freedom drew people further into the continent. This new land contained untapped resources, such as forests, plains, and ore. When gold was discovered in California, people were eager to head west. The West became synonymous with adventures and new opportunities. However, in order to go west, the United States needed to own the surrounding land.

According to information from both texts, why did the United States want to move westward?

To demonstrate their independence to all
To experience religious freedom and obtain more land and natural resources
To prove that their empire was the greatest
To stop the spread of diseases in different states