Until the 1860s the land between the Missouri river and the Rocky mountains was largely uninhabited desert land that we now consider the old west. Though many passed through in search of greater fortune and religious freedom it was only home to few native american groups and fur trappers. Following the Civil War and in conjunction with the California Gold Rush and the expansion of railroads the old west saw in influx of people moving from the eastern states and making home in this barren land, though not without risk. As is often depicted in old movies and books, violence and crime were rampant in the young male dominated towns of the old west. Even though there is exaggeration in media there is no doubt that the Old West was a violent and
The Old West was settled in many different ways. People from all different backgrounds came in hopes of striking gold, finding rich soil to farm on and for a fresh start. While many found what they were looking for, some weren’t so lucky. However, these factors shaped the West as we know it
The Westward expansion was mainly driven by America’s desire to control not only more land but to expand its territory up to the Pacific Coast. With the country once divided by certain beliefs and political views were now united with the Manifest Destiny to come together and expand westward to find new opportunities, resources, and profit. “To encourage the settlement of the West, Congress passed legislation that enabled settlers to buy land cheaply, and have easy access to land with mineral deposits and grazing lands” (Credo 1). This Westward expansion was very important to American’s economy because it was the largest expansion in US history, successfully connecting railways from East to West, and discovery of important resources. The Westward expansion is still considered by historians to not only be the most important expansion of the United States but also the most venturous.
Westward expansion from 1860 to 1890 represented a time for significant change within America. During this time period the U.S would experience rapid growth within cities, agricultural land, and the railroad network. With everything beginning to fall into place and technology booming, America would soon become one of the world’s greatest superpowers. Without Westward expansion, America would not have developed as fast as it did.
I am thinking of settling on the he frontier (either the Great Plains or the Intermountain West). The Great Plains region includes the states like Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. Whereas the Intermountain West composed the northern parts of New Mexico and Arizona, parts of eastern California and western regions of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado, as well as the non-coastal eastern regions of Oregon and Washington and all of Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. The key difficulties I would face living here would are the temperature are raising here where there would be high demand of water and energy which would leads to create problem in development, farmers in agriculture and supply of light
1) Describe the conquest and development of the West between 1820 and 1850 by European Americans.
What does one think of when given the phrase “Wild West?” Is it cowboys and Indians? Bar fights? John Wayne perhaps? Despite various answers, numerous people can agree that the wild west was an eventful and important time period. “The American west had all sorts of people including pioneers, business people, scouts, lawmen, outlaws, gangs, gunslingers, and cowboys. Most of these people had one thing in common… they were looking for an opportunity and they weren’t afraid of adventure.” These people settled in Wild West towns and changed the land, which played a big role in the development of modern-day society. Sacramento, a major historic town, stands as a notable example of
During the westward expansion there were some big problems between the U.S. and the Native Americans. The American wanted their land to farm on, and there was alot of gold in the California area. The main conflicts were the environment, the U.S. government, and how they felt about each other.
How did American Imperialism start? Many factors resulted in Imperialism; however, two main reasons were the closing of the Western Frontier and the Industrial Revolution. Americans faced many disadvantages, which would create the thought of imperialism. During the Industrial Revolution, Americans became more confident as they grew in their machinery. This would result in Imperialism as they gained the idea through the disadvantages and machinery.
The West drastically evolved after the Civil War. The gold mining boom brought businessmen and crooks to the West. While mining for gold, the discovery of silver, copper, and ore caused more destruction of the land. The railroads were needed to transport mining materials and equipment. In the meantime, the demand for grains in the North caused corporations to buy up land and plant crops purely for profit.
Civilization: The West and the Rest, presented by Niall Ferguson, is a documentary in which Ferguson reveals what he calls the six killer applications which has helped Western civilization dominate over everyone else. These six applications are competition, science, property, medicine, consumerism, and work. Ferguson asks many questions over the course of the series as well as provides examples as to how Western civilization has surpassed other nations and empires. Ferguson’s main question in each episode is, “If we lose our monopoly over apps like these, could Western civilization be consigned to history.” This paper will analyze Ferguson’s questions and the examples he provides for the killer applications of competition, science, property, medicine, consumerism, and work, as well as his conclusions as to why the West has risen to the top, how the rest are passing up the West, as well as his conclusions to if the West can remain above the rest.
How does Turner explain the recurring need for communication and transportation along the American frontier?
Back in the 1800s we were expanding west constantly, and finding new areas. Though this was good for us, it negatively impacted another group of people. The Native Americans living in the area that we moved through to get to where we wanted were constantly pushed out of their homes and forced to move. This is only a small example of how Native Americans were impacted by the western expansion of the United States.
The American West was shaped by various aspects. Southerners we're devastated by the effects of the Civil War on the infrastructure and many moved West for a new change in life. The homestead act offered a chance of a new life for many people and families to pursue their dream. The goldRush of 1849 would promote the idea of a chance to become wealthy to the average American immigrant. As the Western expansion grew the transcontinental railroad would promote economic success in the West. There were Dawes General Allotment Act that passed in 1887saying the land was held by tribes had to divide and sell the land because of the government. The government held the land for 25years and then they could have the title to the land and become U.S. citizens.
The westward expansion dates back from 1800’s to 1900’s. Westward began with the Lousianna purchase, at the time the president who was Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of the nation with france to buy more than 1800 square miles for 15 million dollars. All this includes 14 states. A year later in 1804 jeffersson sent an expedition. The expedition was led by Lewis and Clark to explore the region. The expansion of the united states into the territory west of the Mississippi riven began with the Louisiana purchase in 1803. It took the American colonist a century and one half to expand far west Appalachian mountains. Manfist destiny was begening to take shape it promoted further territorial expansion. During the war, gold and silver discoveries drew propectors and brought in settlers into Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Vevada. The most rapid migration occur after the civil war. The Homested act passed in 1862 encourage settlers to move West. It allowed settlers to claim 160 acres for free.
Western, a genre of short stories that are set in the American west, primarily in the late of the 19th century (“Western” 598), and still being told until today by films, televisions, radio, and other art works. The major of moving to the west was because of the Homestead Act, 1862 (“U.S. Statues at Large” 392) which would give lands to people who stayed there for five years. This lead to a huge wave of immigrants moved to the West, and they had to face to many hardships and conflicts such as Indian attacks, tornadoes, blizzards, and illnesses.