Who Had the Most Significant Impact on Westward Expansion?

Who had the most significant impact on Westward Expansion?

Vision for West / National Accomplishments or Contributions / The People he influenced / How did the political and economic impacts of his actions (policies) on westward expansion change lives? / Do his words reflect his beliefs/actions?
Thomas Jefferson / Agrarian republic
Thought the west would provide an opportunity for the country’s commerce to prosposer / Louisiana Purchase / Jackson
Houston
Polk / Encourage white men, not necessarily poor, to go west
Did not consider Indians citizens (very cautious) / “Those of the western confederacy will be as much our children and descendants as those of the eastern, and I feel myself as much identified with that country, in the future time, as with this.” YES
Andrew Jackson / Thought the nation staying united was more important than any one region / Secured land to the Mississippi River for White Settlers / Houston
Polk
Common Man
Indians
British and Spanish / Got land for poor whites
destroyed many Indians’ way of life / “We have conquered; we have added a country to ours, which by connecting the settlements…will become a secure barrier against foreign invasion.” YES
David Crockett / Common people to thrive / Senator for TN / Tried to help poor
People of TX / His death helped poor get land really cheap. / “Texas…is the garden spot of the world. The best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here. There is a world of country here to settle…. I am in hopes of making a fortune yet for myself and family.” YES
Sam Houston / He wanted the union to be maintained. / Texas / Cherokee/Indians
Poor / Helped to get TX annexed from Mexico. / “I knew that a great destiny waited for me in the West.”
YES
James K Polk / Agrarian society, minimal government interference / Oregon
Annexed TX
(treaty that gave most western land) / Oregon
Mexicans/California
All already out west / Helped to get rid of Indians
Helped people already west / “Foreign governments do not seem to appreciate the true character of our Government. Our Union is a confederation of independent States, whose policy is peace with each other and all the world. To enlarge its limits is to extend the dominions of peace over additional territories and increasing millions.” YES

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