Westward Expansion Research Paper

The Transcontinental Railroad was designed to be able to connect all parts of the United States. As a result, goods and people could be transported from one location to another in a relatively short amount of time. The cost of the railroad would be around $2 billion dollars in today’s currency. On top of the material cost, many lives were lost due to the treacherous terrain and brutal working conditions. Although many Americans worked on the railroad, many Chinese workers were used because they were cheaper and valued less. They were given the roughest jobs and were not expected to live very long.

Eventually, the Chinese population, partially responsible for building the Transcontinental Railroad, grew and became an important part of the economy. An increase in immigrants greatly benefitted the United States: they provided cheap labor, boosted the economy, and encouraged business. Nevertheless,

Prompt: Using information you gathered from a variety of texts, write a letter from the chosen group’s point of view, stating their opinion of Westward Expansion by answering the question, “Was Westward Expansion worth it?” Quote evidence from the text to support your claim.

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

As the white settlers took the Native American land, they were abandoned and displaced. Which is why the United States government put the Native Americans on reservations. Native Americans had a difficult time adjusting to life on the reservations. The land wasn’t as rich as it was in the land that was taken by the white settlers. (outside info)

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.

Throughout history, many debates have occurred over national events. Whether it be the Civil War or the robotic revolution, each event leaves behind a mark on our history, changing our nation. In addition, these events also spark controversy among the American people. One of these moments that many people look back on with either support or opposition is the western expansion of the United States. This topic of the United States expansion was a highly controversial topic among people.

Americans and American Indians were constantly in conflict from 1855-1890, especially on the plains. The cause of such conflicts was the settlement of western territories which belonged to American Indians. Congress reserved the Great Plains for Indians before the Civil War due to Americans believing that the prairie could not be farmed. However, as the use for steel plows and railroads increased, policymakers had the power and desire to incorporate the entire region. Conflicts aroused as a result of American Indians being abused and used by the American government and citizens.

To begin, Chinese laborers faced the most trouble during the westward expansion as result of dangers in the work environment. For instance, the Chinese were hired because the Central Pacific Railroad company knew they had previous experience with this type and thought they would be perfect the most laborious work. As explained by John Doolittle “The first Chinese

The years between 1803 and 1850 were called The Westward Expansion Era. During this time the practice of slavery was getting more popular. Also, as white settlers continued to move west, Native Americans were being forced off their land. The phrase, “all men are created equal,” did not apply to the subgroups/ minorities during the Western Expansion Era because of racial prejudice toward African-Americans even in northern states and white settlers destroying Native American culture. Even in northern states, racial prejudice directed towards African-Americans was a significant problem.

This text is a sampling of times, places, and people of the Westward Expansion. A teacher teaching the Westward Expansion will find historical images and stories behind the historical times and the sheet music that correlates to the topics. This cross-curricular resource allows for the stories to be read and the pictures to study, and ultimately the music to be incorporated into the classroom learning. Ultimately this book can be utilized to bring adventure, danger, dreams, and the realities of American life during the Westward Expansion to come alive for students. This will make history fun for all students, allowing students to build more of a connection to the past. This is another great resource but because I don’t teach Western Expansion

Westward Expansion started with President Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase from the French for only fifteen million dollars. This allowed landless families to migrate from where they currently were to a new place with fresh lands to claim. This had a few effects such as increasing the size of the country, while providing land and means for income to families. During the course of westward expansion the size of the United States took a drastic population increase, with the overall population going from five million to seventy-six million. This set the U.S. on the fast track to expand out to the west coast. Abraham Lincoln signed in to law the Homestead Act, which gave people willing to

The transcontinental railroad was built by two major companies, the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific. The Central Pacific company worked eastbound. They faced the treacherous terrain of the Rocky Mountains, landslides, and winter snowdrifts. Central Pacific would hire Chinese immigrants. These Chinese immigrants, “... made up 85 percent of the Central Pacific workforce.” (Holt McDougal,

For the

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