USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -By 1840, nearly 7 million Americans–40 percent of the nation’s population–lived in the trans-Appalachian West. Following a trail blazed by Lewis and Clark, most of these people had left their homes in the East in search of economic opportunity.

Detailed explanation-2: -After Britain won the Seven Years’ War and gained land in North America, it issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which prohibited American colonists from settling west of Appalachia.

Detailed explanation-3: -After the Seven Years’ War, the British Parliament creates the Indian Proclamation Line of 1763, which bans colonists from settling west of the middle of the Appalachian Mountains.

Detailed explanation-4: -Despite the Treaty of Paris, many Native Americans continued to fight against European settlement of land west of Appalachia. Ottawa Chief Pontiac led numerous attacks against British and colonial expansion and settlement and his violent aggression is one reason Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763.