Westward Expansion Dbq

Westward Expansion Dbq
In the mid–1800s, many Americans began to move westward, with a variety of motivations. Farmers were drawn west by all of the fertile, open land
in the west, offered to them cheap by the Homestead Act. The California Gold Rush was another reason many moved west. Gold was discovered in
California, and miners flocked there, hoping to strike it rich. Additionally, cattle ranchers were attracted to the west because their beef cattle thrived on
the abundant grasses and open range of the Great Plains. Later on, newly built railroads, including the first transcontinental railroad, made
transportation of people and goods west much more feasible, and opened the West to rapid settlement (History Alive). Although Westward Expansion
was a time of full...show more content...
government, thought Westward Expansion would positively impact Native Americans. President Andrew Jackson felt that Indian Removal would
protect the Native Americans and give them more freedom. He also thought that, eventually, the influence of European Americans would guide them
to become a more "interesting, civilized, and Christian community" (Doc 9). Additionally, government believed that boarding schools would be very
beneficial for children, teaching them valuable skills, and helping them become more civilized "ladies and gentlemen" (Doc 8). However, these
people were blinded to the impact it had on the lives of Native American by their own desire for land and power. The mass slaughter of buffalo robbed
the Native Americans of their most valuable resource and the source of all their daily necessities. Forced assimilation killed Native American culture
and identity, and uprooted their lifestyles. By taking away and selling Native Americans' land, the U.S. government was constantly driving Native
Americans of their homes, onto undeveloped, cramped land, making it nearly impossible for them to sustain themselves and their way of life. How is
someone positively affected by having their means of survival, identity, and home taken
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Westward Expansion Essay
WESTWARD EXPANSION
The movement of people that has resulted in the settlement of America is one of the most fascinating and significant topics in the history of the United
States. Nowhere else has an area of equal size been settled as a result of the initiative of small groups and individuals. Westward expansion helped
stimulate the American economy.
The first organized migration to California originated in Platte County, on the far western frontier of Missouri. Reports described California as "a
perfect paradise, a perpetual spring." The people of Platte County formed the Western Emigration Society, which sent out information about
California throughout the Mississippi Valley (Wexler,139). Several merchant and landowners
...show more content...
Such a resolution required only a majority vote in both houses of Congress, which avoided the necessity for the two–thirds Senate majority vote
required for treaty ratification (Bender214). The strategy worked, on March 1, 1845 Lame–duck President John Tyler signed the joint Resolution
inviting Texas to join the Union. This was the first of this procedure to acquire a territory. The issue of whether to admit Texas remained divisive, with
opponents of slavery condemning the admissions of Texas as a territorial grab intended to create a new slave state.
Following the ratification of the treaty, some politicians felt the manifest destiny of the United States was to annex all of Mexico. The territory gains
between 1845 and 1848 were enough to satisfy all but the most zealous advocates of manifest destiny. John O'Sullivan criticized the opponents of Texas
annexation. He went beyond the immediate issue of Texas to argue that it is the fate of America to grow to encompass much, if not all of the North
American continent. O'Sullivan is credited with inventing the term "manifest destiny" to describe his expansionist views for America. This
phrase was coined in a New York Morning News editorial. (Wexler,153).
The added territories gained from the war with Mexico caused the controversy over the question of slavery between the North and the South. Following
the Mexican War there were bitter debates in Congress, in state legislatures

Throughout the history of human existence mankind has demonstrated an innate duality defined by a curiosity towards potential unknown and the
desire to transform potential into reality. The Westward Expansion of American territory in the 19th century stands a shining example of this character.
Amidst the throws of foreign conflict, political unrest, and the maturation of the New World a hope was rising that would drive an entire nation across
the rugged wilderness of the West. However, this migration was not solely fueled by a desire to explore uncharted territory. Much like the locomotive
that would eventually traverse the transcontinental path, westward movement was the consequence of inertia gathered from the weight of mechanical
symphony...show more content...
O'Sullivan described the American condition as severed from its past with only the future to define its character. He asserted that it was the spiritual
destiny of every American to push into the fray and carve out the print of the Nation. This concept of privilege and duty adjusted the fulcrum of
hesitation and set fire to a generation of pioneers. The motivational Journalist would publish a follow up article in 1845 where he defined this
privilege as "the right of this manifest destiny to spread over this whole continent". The concept of freedom was reinforced with a courage fashioned
from the idea of Divine

The Era Of Westward Expansion
The era of expansion was a period in American history where westward expansion was at the center of political and social focus. Due to the
Louisiana Purchase, by President Thomas Jefferson, America doubled in size. To map out this new land explorers were sent and the question of
slavery arose. Should slavery be allowed in the new territories? To answer this the Missouri Compromise was proposed. This stated that Anything
above 36,30 would be free and anything below could be slave states. It also determined that Missouri would be a slave state and that Maine would be
a free state so that the balance of slave to free states would be even in Congress. As the population moved westward an ideology arose. Titled Manifest
Destiny, many believed that

The westward expansion both impacted the lives of the pioneer children and Native Americans in a good and bad way.For one,they both had to leave
home probably the only place they knew like home onto a new other place they were unfamiliar with.This impacted the Indian group badly by making
them move to a bigger area (west),they didn't know as good as they did then their original home.This impacted pioneer children and Indians badly
when migrating westward because they both suffered from disease and lack of food and cattle.Mostly all would eat ham,eggs,bacon,and
bread.Occasionally they'd eat fish and hunted food if they stayed in a certain area for a while.
The Native Americans were being told to move westward to bring them a "better life".The

Westward Expansion Research Paper
Westward Expansion During the 19th century, the United States was rapidly expanding its territories. In 1803, Thomas Jefferson bought the
territory known as Louisiana from the French for $15 million dollars. Later in 1845, the United States took control over the Republic of Texas
making it an official state. Closely following, the Oregon territory was handed over from the English because of the Oregon Treaty in 1846; soon
after Mexico was won in 1848. With all the newly acquired land, immigrants came pouring into the West looking for new opportunities and to change
their lives by the promise of the undiscovered land. Three main groups of people moved west to lead new lives; cattlemen, miners, and western
farmers made up a majority...show more content...
With the civil war, thousands of farms were left untouched and disheveled leaving millions of partially wild cows wondering the states. Cattlemen
were on the high rise in the beginning. One cause pertaining to their success was the breed of cattle that they had available to them, the Texas
Longhorn. Breed by the English and Spanish this type of cattle could travel on little water for long distanced and could sustain year–round off grass.
Railroads soon developed and this then allowed cattle to be transported via train cart which was easier and less effort as well as the ability to ship
all round the country. However, the decline of the cattle kingdom came with Texas fever, river crossings, barbed wire and the very thing that once
gave a boost to the cattlemen, the long train drives. River crossings soon posed a threat for cattlemen to herd because the cattle would drown trying
to cross the deep waters. Barbed wire came into play limiting cattle drives and shipping which caused issues between the ranchers and cowboys. Then
the drives of cattle around the country hindered their rise because the cattle numbers would drop because of Texas fever and the cows crammed so close

Essay On Westward Expansion
I believe the government is primarily responsible for continued westward expansion during the 1800s. Westward expansion or "Manifest Destiny" is
the idea of moving west after the Civil War in 1865, Many people felt it was their "God–given right" to do so, also the encouragement of the
government. The reasoning behind this is the extended land in the west with the Louisiana Purchase and the law of the Homestead Act which allowed
anyone to own land, in which the U.S. government both passed. Also with the U.S. government setting policies with unclear directions about moving
westward and the insensitive acts towards the people who were currently living in western areas.
The U.S. government encouraged westward expansion through the Louisiana Purchase and the Homestead Act. President Thomas Jefferson acted on the
Louisiana Purchase, after buying the land from France for millions of dollars, he also believed in the idea of moving west and thought of it as a...show
more content...
government has unspecified and unorganized policies, which were unprotected for Native Americans who lived in the west because of all the new
coming Americans. During westward expansion, a majority of who moved were whites, who didn't know the Native Americans who already lived in
the west. The Natives felt their land was being conquered, because of the U.S government policies(Louisana Purchase & Homestead Act) and the
whites not wanting them to be there, which lead to fighting between the Natives and the whites. These acts and policies such as the Indian Removal
Act often resulted in violated treaties and violence. The Indian Removal Act was the removal of Native American homes and tribes. "This also confines
the Indians to still narrower limits, destroys that game which in their normal state, and constitutes their principal means of subsistence." Resulting in
westward expansion, Native Americans began rapidly decreasing in the area by wars and new diseases caught by new coming

Westward Expansion
While the western United States was growing rapidly, the means on transportation across the great plains was a very long and dangerous trek. With
the growing desire for western settlements, the Transcontinental Railroad would offer a much faster and safer means of travel to the western states.
The railroad would also be capable of carrying goods to and from the West.
There were some primary motives for the United States Government to promote and be so largely involved with the building of the railroad. First, it
was the age of Manifest Destiny, "a term coined by journalist John O'Sullivan in 1845, was a driving force in 19th century America's western
expansion. It was the notion that Americans and the institutions of the U.S. are morally superior and therefore Americans are morally obligated to
spread those institutions" ("Westward Expansion"). The building of the Transcontinental Railroad would be an enormous step in this process, making
the settlement of the west much more inviting to people, as well as making the process of western expansion much faster.
Secondly, the fact of being able to send troops much quicker to the Western states. There was great conflict between settlers and the Native Americans
once the flood of people began. This brought the need for the troops to protect the settlers, and eventually, to force the rightfully resilient Native
Americans onto reservations. Third, as California continued to grow in population, the United States Government was

Effects Of Westward Expansion
Westward expansion was a time of successes and failures, a time celebrations and grief, a time full of life and death but in the end it shaped how
America is the way is today. Westward expansion was put in action because of the belief of Manifest Destiny, the belief that it is America fate to expand
from the Atlantic to Pacific ocean. The economical, political and humanitarians impacts were necessary to achieve the goal of manifest Destiny and
Westward Expansion. Westward Expansion had the biggest impact on the economy and there were several positive outcomes as a result of Manifest
Destiny. First, Westward Expansion led to the creation of many new technologies including steamboats, canals and the transcontinental railroads.
Steamboats...show more content...
A positive political effect of Westward Expansion included the Homestead. This piece of legislation attempted to compromise between government and
citizen needs. One major and well known political issue that became larger because of westward expansion was slavery. The south claimed they were
under attack by radical northern abolitionists. The Northerners attempted to dominate US politics for the purpose of protecting slaveholders human
property. A positive humanitarian effect of westward expansion is that it increased a sense of patriotism. Although the treatment of the Native
Americans was indeed in humane but during the times, the thought process was different. Many people agreed that Manifest destiny was justified
because of the growing population and also it was a god given right. In addition, the white settler believed that it was their duty to help the Native
Americans. This brought people together to set out on missions to do what they believe what they think is right. On the contrary, seeing the inhumane
treatment of the Native Americans allowed more people to speak up and take a stand.The wars between the Native Americans and settlers could have
potentially showed the any side the repercussions of violence bringing people together to find more convenient solutions. The idea of Manifest Destiny
and movement of Westward expansion hit the Native American hard. As the movement westward increased, the discovery of gold on native American
lands resulted in the

Throughout the timeline of the United States of America, the government has done a poor job of understanding the needs of the citizens and the
environment. They have treated the environment badly when America expanded out west. The government failed to help guide the citizens towards
understanding the transition from precious metal to paper money. They also neglected to keep the immigrants coming into America safe from
discrimination. The proper role of government is to think about the needs of the citizens and the environment so that the citizens are able to live their
lives without having to worry about the government not protecting them and the environment. During the time of Westward Expansion the territory of
the United States of America was increasing rapidly. The government never thought about the rights of the American citizens and the state of the
environment . As the Americans were moving west, the citizens started to kill the buffalo that were roaming in the midwest because they were
getting in the way of the move to the west. The buffalo species decreased rapidly because of this. The buffalo that were left ran away. The citizens
were using the buffalo to thrive. When the buffalo became very hard to find, cattle was thought to be a good animal to replace them. The cattle did not
last long in the West. Around 90 percent of the cattle died because of the harsh winter conditions in 1866 (Clark). They were not adapted to the cold
weather and could not withstand the

The many difficulties Natives faced during the Westward Expansion Back in the day, the Natives were living a happy life until there was a law passed
that would change the Natives life's forever. In 1830 the president, Andrew Jackson, passed a law that solved what he called "the indian problem." All
the tribes living in the east were forced to move from the Native Americans homeland. The Westward Expansion was tough on Natives because the
Americans were harsh, the president wanted them out of the Americans territory, and that the traveling conditions were horribly dangerous. The
Natives faced many hardships during their lifetime, including that the Americans were not the nicest people especially towards the Natives.
"Americans and Indians

The Westward Expansion
Introduction The Westward Expansion has often been regarded as the central theme of American history, down to the end of the19th century and as
the main factor in the shaping of American history. As Frederick Jackson Turner says, the greatest force or influence in shaping American democracy
and society had been that there was so much free land in America and this profoundly affected American society. Motives After the revolution, the
winning of independence opened up the Western country and was hence followed by a steady flow of settlers to the Mississippi valley. By 1840, 10
new western states had been added to the Federal union. The frontier line ran through Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas on the western side...show more
content...
When the treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, the Americans had thought that they had enough land between the Atlantic coast and the Mississippi river.
Yet in 1803, by the Louisiana Purchase, the area of the United States doubled and not long after, it was augmented by the half–purchase–half–conquest
of Florida. By the end of 1820, as many as 6 states were created, east of Mississippi–Indiana (1816), Mississippi (1817), Alabama (1819), Maine (1820)
and Missouri (1821). By the 1830s, the frontier line had been carried to Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas–about one–third of the way across the continent.
By the 1840s, the expansionist policy, typified by the Manifest Destiny doctrine, became very strong with many sections willing to go to war to
acquire more land. Slavery became a bone of contention between the Northern and southern states with the control of the senate in question. The South
wanted expansion to increase slave states, the North to keep the balance with free states and the West wanting expansion to increase their land. The
antagonism between the North and the South sees the beginnings of sectionalism leading to the civil war later. The spirit of equality becomes a
banner with which the expansionist policy was proclaimed. Phases Of Development Before the 1830s, most sections of the west passed through the
same phases of development in a regular order. The first white men to usually enter a new area were the

Essay On The Westward Expansion
The majority of the population before, and during the Civil War was on the East coast because the main way of travelling during the time period by
wagon would have around 4 months, to travel from the East to West coast. This trip was extremely uncomfortable for the passengers due to the
rugged terrain they wagon had to go over. Because of this, many people were hesitant to travel out west. The US government took steps to persuade
people to move westward by implementing the Homestead Act of 1862. This act offered settlers 160 acres of land out west if they paid ten dollars,
lived on the land for five years, and cultivated it. Although, after the Civil war, the transcontinental railroad was finished and it could transport
travelers from the east coast to the west coast in under five days time. It was more comfortable and it encouraged citizens even more to take the...show
more content...
In many parts of Europe between 1880 to 1900, countries were experiencing famine and many people were poor. Immigrants in Europe saw the United
States as a "promise land" full of opportunities for them to better themselves and their families. With the economic opportunities increasing due to
the increase demand in industrial factories, the US was seen as a safe haven for immigrants to flourish. However, this dream was unattainable for
a large majority for them. The factories they worked at were only offering very low wages for long hours of work. As seen in The Jungle, factories
were very unsanitary with men going to use the restroom off to the side of the equipment or in a corner and rats scurrying everywhere. Due to the
low wage, immigrants could not afford to live in, what we deem today as acceptable housing. Large families would have to rent out small apartments
and younger family members had to go work in the factories as well in order to provide enough support for the

Essay Westward Expansion
Westward Expansion
During the 1800's, American citizens packed up and headed West to the new unknown land of the United States of America. Western expansion was a
great part of the growth of the
United States because it gave Americans new land to settle, expanded its economy, and made the
United States a world power. The desire to expand was described by newspaper editor John
O'Sullivan who wrote, it is America's "Manifest Destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent".
First of all, westward expansion benefited the United States by increasing the area of settled property. This property included many different types of
land. Farmers were able to buy fertile farmland cheaply in states like Iowa, Nebraska, and...show more content...
Tens of thousands of people moved, creating future cities like San Francisco and Denver. The completion of the transcontinental railroad connected the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts allowing for the shipping of goods across the country. Western farm products like wheat, corn, beef, and poultry were
shipped east to feed the growing number of workers in factories in cities like Philadelphia,
Boston, and New York. The increase in land, natural resources, and industry gave the United
States a larger role in the world.
Finally, westward expansion secured the United States by pushing foreign powers off of the continent. By controlling both coasts, the country was
protected by the oceans, therefore separating it from the other continents. Through the Monroe Doctrine, the United States eliminated European
colonization in the Western hemisphere and became its most powerful nation. Through development of industry, the United States was able to grow as
a manufacturing and trading power. As industry grew immigrants poured into the "land of opportunity" seeking what became known around the world
as the "American dream".
In conclusion, westward expansion was responsible for the increasing variety of geography, population, and industry which shaped the changing United
States during the 19th century. These changes led to the opportunity for Americans to own land. The new settlements led to a growing network of
communication, transportation, and trade. The

Native Americans During Westward Expansion Essay
During westward expansion, the Native Americans got kicked to the side. The settlers coming west often saw the Indians as a threat to them and their
families. However, this was not the main reason the Indians were pushed aside. The settlers saw the Indians had fertile land and wanted it for
themselves. The Indians were the opposite of what the settlers thought they were. The Indians often helped the people moving west across the plains;
giving them food, supplies, and acting as guides. However, the U.S. Government did not see this side of the Indians, instead they forced the Indians
onto reservations. During the time of the expansion of the United States to the present, the Native Americans went through many things so that the
United States could expand; they were pushed onto reservations, and forced to give up their culture through the Ideas of Manifest Destiny and Social
Darwinism. Despite that, the United States government told the Indians that they would not invade their lands. They soon heard that the Indians had
fertile land and decided to allow settlers to move west. "After hearing tales of fertile land and a great mineral wealth in the West, the government soon
broke their promises established in the Treaty of Fort Laramie by allowing thousands of non–Indians to flood into the area.". (Victoriana) To make
more land available to the settlers the government had to make reservations that would separate the Indians from the whites. In exchange for the
Indians moving to

Impact Of Westward Expansion
Westward Expansion was the desire of America to control the territories of western parts of America that were either unclaimed or occupied by other
nations. It is pertinent to discern that England influenced the United States in diverse ways. In the second half of 18th century, the railroad which that
was invented in England brought a significant impact in the United States expansion to the West. Railroads originated from England. England had a
dense populace, substantial financial resources and short distances between its cities. Conversely, in America the story was different. It had a sparse
population, few financial resources and considerable distances between cities in a vast country. Thetranscontinental railroad mainly increased Westward
Expansion in the US during 1860–90.
Westward Expansion is perceived as the central theme of the history of America during the 18th century and as the primary factor in American history
shaping. The most significant influence or force that shaped American society and democracy is the availability of vast free land in the West which
affected the American culture profoundly. Drives after the revolution, the Western parts of United States were opened up by the winning of
independence that resulted in the steady flow of migrants to the Mississippi valley. The far west was a region of high mountains, strange rock
formations, brilliant colors, deserts and immense distance. The discovery of paths made it possible for migration to the west of United States as the
ox–driven carts could cruise through the mountains and across the desert (Roza, 2011). It should be noted that at this time persons had the desire of
moving out of the overcrowded cities to settle in the uninhabited lands in the west of US. Consequently, there was the development of infrastructure to
the west. Railroads were constructed that linked the west and east of United States. This was accompanied by mushrooming of cities towards the west
as constructions of communication lines were ongoing (Quay, 2002).
The construction of infrastructure that was extended from the East to the West paved the way for more migration to the west. The settlers occupied the
uninhabited land in the west and commenced developing it.

The Oregon Trail's most dangerous set back was The Rockies, an immense mountain chain that stands over 14,00 feet high. U.S Westward Expansion
and Manifest Destiny caused numerous emigrants to venture west, taking on the lethal challenges that awaited them. Westward Expansion impacted
the cultural practices and migration patterns of Native Americans, African slave population, and early American Settlers. During Westward Expansion,
the culture and migration of the Native Americans was altered exceedingly. For example, the culture of the Native Americans changed because, "the
game has disappeared among you, and you must depend upon agriculture and the mechanic arts for support." (Jackson par. 2). Due to Jackson's
policies, Native Americans were forcefully removed out...show more content...
An immense amount of African miners moved in California and were granted the chance to be "able to make enough money to buy their
freedom" (Life as a miner par. 16). The slaves were forced by their masters to go to California and mine for gold. If they earned enough money or
worked for their masters long enough, they were granted their freedom. Also, once California "was declared a free state" (The struggle for
freedom in the west cap. 1), African slaves that received their freedoms were able to start life anew in California. The labor the slaves did, made
them able to claim the newly found territory. In addition, the culture of the African slaves changed due to Westward Expansion and the gold rush. An
example would be that some "African American entrepreneurs cooked meals, cut hair, sold mining supplies" (The struggle for freedom in the west
par. 4). They were forced to adapt by changing their culture by changing the type of job they did. However, it was challenging for African slaves to
start up in California because they were forced to turn "the wealth over to their masters for their

Westward Expansion Dbq Essay
It can be interpreted that Jefferson's views for westward expansion were that expansion was inevitable. That not only was it the economically smart
thing for the country to do, but also the necessary, as the number of people grew in the country and the need for more land and resources grew with it.
He offers two main solutions in regard to the growing tension between the Americans and Natives; one, being to effectively convince the natives to
switch from a hunter lifestyle to a farmer and manufacturer one, where there would be less need for forests to hunt and more for the available space
for fields and agriculture; an two, to encourage and better develop commerce and trade within the Native American communities so that they'd see the
benefits

Westward Expansion
The American Expansion West was a huge, uniting shift in American history. It was a time with Improved Agricultural Land and States and Territories
opened. Major Cities like Omaha, Denver, and San Francisco were allowed to connect with the East Coast, grow and flourish . Railroad Networks
were so awesome that they inspired new settlers to the United States. The most important developments during the western expansion was the
intercontinental railway system. This system opened up the west and helped America to expand and grow into one nation. The opportunity and
symbolism of the intercontinental railroad reached across the nation and even overseas.
It was May 10, 1869 at Promontory Point in Utah when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroad...show more content...
Farmers hard to ask scientist for help with the tools necessary to make the west farm–able. One example, the springy tooth harrow perfected by
Michigan mechanic in 1869 . Its flexible teeth bounces over obstacles and automatically dislodged debris. This was much better built to work on the
western terrain. Many other forms of farming technologies, like harvesting tools, advanced by the new challenges that were revealed to Americans
through the invention of the intercontinental railroad. The farming industrial revolution freed farmers from many of the past limitations that farmers
faced by reducing the time and cost of labor drastically. Cost and time for farmers was lowered as much as $61 and $3.55 per acre of wheat down to 3
hours and $0.66 per acre of wheat

Westward Expansion Dbq

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Westward Expansion Dbq