Westward, Ho!

The size of the country was growing quickly. People were in search of land. Upon arriving in America, many headed west to settle. They were called pioneers. Pioneers were the first people to settle an area. The pioneers came across the mountains looking for good land.

Pioneers came by the thousands. Some traveled down the Ohio River, while others came down the Mississippi River. They traveled on flatboats. The flatboats could go through shallow places in the river without getting stuck. When enough people arrived, that territory was given statehood. Kentucky and Indiana became states during this time.

As more and more people moved west, they encountered Native Americans. The Native Americans were not happy with the intruders. Tensions grew as the pioneers looked for new land and the Native Americans worked to keep their territory.