Western expansion essay. Impact of Westward Expansion in the United States 2023-01-07

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Western expansion, also known as the western movement, was a significant period in the history of the United States. It refers to the expansion of the country's territory to the west, starting in the early 19th century and lasting until the end of the 19th century. During this time, the United States acquired a large amount of land, including the Louisiana Territory, the Mexican Cession, and the Gadsden Purchase.

The western expansion was driven by a variety of factors, including economic, political, and ideological motivations. One of the main driving forces behind the western movement was the belief in manifest destiny, which was the idea that it was the divine right and duty of the United States to expand its territory from coast to coast. This belief was held by many Americans, particularly those in the political and economic elite, who saw the expansion as a way to gain new resources, create new markets, and establish new settlements.

Another factor that contributed to western expansion was the industrial revolution, which led to an increase in demand for raw materials such as timber, minerals, and land for farming. The availability of these resources in the western territories made them attractive to those seeking to capitalize on the growth of the industrial economy.

The western expansion also had significant consequences for the native populations living in the territories that the United States acquired. Many Native American tribes were displaced or forced to cede their lands to the United States, leading to conflicts and violence between the two groups. The U.S. government also implemented a number of policies designed to assimilate Native Americans into European-American culture, including the Indian boarding school system, which removed Native American children from their families and communities and placed them in boarding schools where they were forced to adopt European-American ways of life.

Despite the significant impact of western expansion on the history of the United States, it is a controversial topic that has been the subject of much debate and criticism. While some view it as a necessary step in the country's development, others argue that it was a violent and exploitative process that led to the oppression and exploitation of native populations and the acquisition of land through unethical means.

In conclusion, the western expansion was a significant period in the history of the United States, marked by both economic and ideological motivations and significant consequences for the native populations living in the territories that the country acquired. While it played a role in the development of the country, it is also a controversial topic that continues to be debated and analyzed by historians and scholars.

Western expansion, also known as Manifest Destiny, was the 19th-century movement of settlers, agriculture, and industry into the American West. It was a belief that it was the United States' God-given right and duty to expand westward and spread its values and way of life across the continent.

The concept of Manifest Destiny was used to justify the government's actions in acquiring new territories, such as the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican-American War. The expansion of the United States westward played a significant role in the country's growth and development, as it allowed for the acquisition of rich natural resources and fertile land for agriculture.

However, western expansion also had a dark side. It often involved the displacement and exploitation of Native American tribes, as well as the enslavement of African Americans. The expansion of the United States also led to conflicts with other countries, such as Mexico, over territorial boundaries.

Despite these negative consequences, western expansion played a crucial role in the development of the United States as a nation. It allowed for the expansion of agriculture and industry, and it brought new opportunities for settlers looking to start a new life in the West. It also played a role in shaping the country's identity and culture, as the ideals of individualism and the "American Dream" were closely tied to the idea of moving westward and starting a new life.

In conclusion, western expansion was a complex and significant movement in American history. It brought both positive and negative consequences, and it played a crucial role in the development and growth of the United States. While it is important to acknowledge and learn from the negative impacts of western expansion, it is also necessary to recognize the role it played in shaping the country's identity and culture.

Western Expansion In The 1800s Essay

western expansion essay

The Native Americans were conquered and the railroads brought greater civilizations. The Louisiana Purchase was obtained from France, a foreign nation, without the Monroe Doctrine. These factors of production allowed England to increase the production of goods to assist the demand for them. The port city of New Orleans was bought by the US and its prosperity benefited the US greatly. No supplies could be sent until Congress approved the money to buy them. After Europeans came to America, the greed of Europeans wanting land forced Indians to constantly move.

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Impact Of Westward Expansion

western expansion essay

The people already had inspiration and motivation to expand. Farmers were motivated because they could get free land. Manifest Destiny continued as a key American philosophy until after World War I. This led not only to a market revolution but to rapid industrialization as well. Communication with friends and family who had moved west led these pioneers to believe the journey would be easy and the reward for getting west would be best. Finally, geographic motives such as the Louisiana Purchase to double the size of America and annexing Hawaii and imperializing Cuba and the Philippines in the later years.

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Western Expansion Essay

western expansion essay

Women were not given any land under this act, and had to be married to receive the full 160 acres offered. Native tried to fight back. One of the first acts was the Homestead Act of 1862. Westward Expansion 1800 To 1875 Dbq Analysis 1333 Words 6 Pages There were both positive and negative components of westward expansion from 1800 to 1875. Find Out How UKEssays. Then the railroad was built, allowing communication and commerce to be transformed from coast to coast, making it possible for economic expansion.

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Reconstruction Era Of Western Expansion

western expansion essay

The Homestead Act is in public in land they are more small farmers. It was called this because it was that this process was inevitable and just in its ways. Quickly, many farmers picked up their belongings and headed out west to the rich, fertile land for a fresh start. They sold for much higher prices back east. The east at times was just as scary as the west with gangsters, and mobsters, and rich powerful politicians. Even with all the knowledge of what it was like to be in captivity she still went back. Americans needed a real cause to rally around and a strong reason to move into the west and that is what manifest destiny gave them.

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Westward Expansion Essay

western expansion essay

The United States had already started creating a path leading into the West by laying down railroad tracks, consequently the Indians fought back in fear of losing their homelands and people. The Native Americans land got taken by the government and wanted to go back to life how it was when they were not getting controlled Western Expansion In The Late 1800s During the 1800-1900s America was growing rapidly, the population, the income, immigration; especially the western expansion. Westward Expansion began in 1807 and was the US expanding to the Western territories. Supply, material, land, and transportation were now affordable for the very poor, making it much simpler for them to relocate themselves. S was physically separated from Europe.

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Impact of Westward Expansion in the United States

western expansion essay

Get Help With Your Essay If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! Some nongovernment sponsored reasons include the Gold Rush, and the Mormons. During this expansion many changes occurred, some good and some bad. Their desire to expand was an original quality of American society. Essentially taking them from the Native Americans in order to achieve Manifest Destiny. Also socially because slavery was still an issue and moving west would bring the question if slavery should continue west or not. After the Market Revolution, the North and South used its new gained land to create different means of economic gains; the North became industrialized through manufacturing, while the South became an agricultural industry dependent on cotton.

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Free Western Expansion Essays and Papers

western expansion essay

The American Revolution and the subsequent creation of the American nation are historically regarded as the first milestones in the fight against European imperialism. The California Gold Rush was sparked by the discovery of gold in the Sacramento Valley, on January 24, 1848 by James W. In order to complete such goals, something had to be done with the Natives since it conflicted with their home area. The political opportunities did not increased as much since most of the people moving westwards were poor or immigrants and only white males had the right to participate in those events. The South on the other hand, argued that slavery was an economic reality and necessity. Western expansion is one of the defining moments in United States history. Miners would also move west whenever and wherever gold or silver was discovered.

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Essay On Western Expansion

western expansion essay

Thus, the Irish unknowingly save civilization. The Mexican-American War was a major turning point in this debate because it settled the debate over which states would become free or slavery states. The purchase gave the US access to the Mississippi river which allowed for expansion of river trade to the North and South from the center of the US. With the grueling journey that would effect anyone trying to reach the west, came a new notion, of a canal that reached george washington precedents may be fixed on true principles. Land legislation promised to reward young farmers and families for their successful Midwest homesteads.

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