How did empires relate to nation-states? They were stand-alone entities that staved off empires.
They emerged when feudal lords and the Catholic Church could no longer hold power.
They sought political change through the elections.
They broke away when Empires began to grow weak

Examine the causes, course, and consequences of united states westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness (war of 1812, convention of 1818, adams-onis treaty, missouri compromise, monroe doctrine, trail of tears, texas annexation, manifest destiny, oregon territory, mexican american war/mexican cession, california gold rush, compromise of 1850, kansas nebraska act, gadsden purchase).