True False
T/F: Imperialism is basically the same thing as Westward Expansion, where people migrated to the western portion of the U.S.
False
Imperialism is not the same thing as Westward Expansion. Imperialism typically refers to a policy or practice by which a country increases its power by gaining control over territories outside its own borders, often through colonization or military conquest. It is often driven by economic interests, strategic concerns, and a desire for political dominance.
Westward Expansion, on the other hand, refers specifically to the period in American history where settlers moved across the North American continent to settle the western territories of the United States. This expansion was driven by various motives including manifest destiny, opportunity, and the search for new land and resources. It was internal to the boundaries of the US and resulted in the displacement and often brutal treatment of Native American populations.
While both processes involve the acquisition of new territories, their contexts differ significantly—Imperialism is an international action often involving multiple nations and colonies, while Westward Expansion is a part of the domestic history of the United States.