Western Expansion Research Paper

During the American Revolution, the colonist revolted against the British and eventually gained independence. The American Revolution instigated the change of American policies and expanded the entire nation. Westward expansion of the American colonies was a developmental time period for the United States. From the American Revolution, Americans established their own laws instead of following British rule, and women pushed abolitionist movements and pushed against the expansion of slavery. Many of these new policies were purely made to expand westward and take over Indian land, which was necessary for the expansion of the growing colonial and slave populations. The era of westward expansion finally came to an end with the United States overcoming Mexico and justifying their actions by claiming they were superior to the Mexicans in every way.

America’s westward expansion really affected the lives of the Native Americans in several ways. Since Americans were wanting land for farming, ranching, and mining, it took away the Native Americans land for hunting and gathering. In general, this dramatically changed the face of American history.

The United States immigration and emigration is directly linked with the railroads construction history of the 19th century. The construction of the railroads that facilitated western expansion Immigrants were not only integral to part of the expansion, but they also used the railroad to migrate west and form new immigrant States in the territory. In the early 19 century, United States expanded westward, across the Mississippi River and later to the Pacific Ocean. These western lands, either was purchased, won in battles, or seized outright from Indian tribes and other nations.

From 1803 through 1850 westward expansion was occuring in the U.S. bringing a variety of issues along with the expansion of the country. As a result of westward expansion, Native Americans were being forced to leave their homes that their ancestors had lived on for thousands of years along with tensions increasing between the abolitionist North and the pro-slavery South due to slavery as well. Although many people were against slavery, white Americans still saw themselves as superior to other minorities including Native Americans and African Americans. During Westward Expansion from 1803-1850 “all men created equal” didn’t include anyone other than wealthy white men due to, Native Americans being removed and forced off their ancestral lands, and African Americans inferiorly viewed as property of white men because of their ethnicity.

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

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.

Westward expansion was a new thing and time in our country and had many impacts on the American people and ways of life. The government made it available to buy a lot more of land in the West. Our government gave opportunities for people to move west for a better life or more land in the west. The government gave opportunities like the homestead act where the government would give families 160 acres of land if they moved west at the time this deal was going on. This act was signed into law by President Lincoln in 1862. People moved west for any opportunity they could. People moved for a new life, more land, and more opportunities in

Westward expansion during the 19th century had several far reaching effects on many people. During the period of Manifest Destiny Indians were forced onto reservations, deprived many of their resources,and most of their land, and of course, their culture. At the start of the twentieth century, there were approximately 250,000 Native Americans in the USA – just 0.3 per cent of the total population. The United States’ Indian removal policies, laws, and acts changed many Indians’ lives for the worse. During the 19th century, the removal of Indian tribes had many negative environmental, social, and cultural effects on Native Americans.

America turned its attention after the war of 1812, to the travel and settlement of the to the Western territory, which had been expanded tremendously by the Louisiana Purchase. Many families of pioneers poured in westward and founded new communities different areas throughout what we now call the Midwest.

Since the first pilgrims and puritans crossed the Atlantic, there were disputes between white settlers and the Native Americans. Consequently, there were resentments and death on both sides. The Relocation Act (1830), signed by Andrew Jackson, resulted in the mass migration of Native Americans to the west and government confiscation of their lands. Banished to the west, Native Americans’ lives were relatively peaceful until white settlers started to infringe once again lands promised to them. White settlers felt they had a divine entitlement to the western lands and felt no remorse taking it from Native Americans.

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

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.

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.

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 westward expansion can be marked by a tremendous expansion of industry and agriculture as well as the spread of settlements across the continent. The population of the United states was said that it doubled during this period. Most of the growth was concentrated in the plain states across the continent as well as the Northeast and Midwest. The Northeast became the front runner in the industrial aspect of the land while the south remained mostly agricultural.