City-states came first , hope thats helps :)
There were multiple causes for the Greek War of Independence. Nationalism was spreading and the Greeks wanted their own independent government. The Ottomans were suppressing the Greeks because they were the minority so the Greeks wanted a change. They also wanted Christianity.
Many forerunners and founding fathers of America hailed from the East, American westward expansion was considered to be the hallmark because of many reasons. It all started when Thomas Jefferson bought Louisianan territory from France, he believed that for America to become a powerful block in the world, its west ward expansion is necessary.
There was vast and cheap availability of fertile lands in the west which could be used for erecting major factories and create employment opportunities that were mostly low paid in the east due to European restrictions.
Gold Rush in Oregon was an alluring factor for westward expansion. Environment in the west was compliant and the land was productive.
