The British were forced out of Boston in 1776, but then captured and held in New York City during the time the war was going on. In 1803 president at the time, Thomas Jefferson brought the territory of Louisiana from the French government. To Jefferson, expanding westward was the key to the nation's health. He had believed that a republic depended on an independent citizenry for their survival. The westward expansion of the americans is one of the defining moments for 19th century american history. The westward expansion helped support the completion of the continental railroad in 1869. The Indians had to go to and from Georgia and