There were both positive and negative components of westward expansion from 1800 to 1875. By the late of 1800s, the land of the United States was mostly purchased. In seventy five years, the United States continuously expanded westward, which was encouraged by the idea of Manifest Destiny. New land in the United States led to more economic, social, and political opportunities. Gaining more land also led to disputes between the states and wars with other countries. Between 1800 and 1875, America continuously expanded westward through the acquisition of new land; there were both favorable and unfavorable consequences and outcomes of westward expansion. From 1800 to 1875 due to westward expansion, America was able to reach the goal of expanding …show more content…
One positive aspect of acquiring land was the advantages from Louisiana Purchase. In 1803, Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana territory from France. Lewis and Clark described the land they saw and told Jefferson details about the interactions with the Indians, the landscape, and the creatures of the western world. Maps Clark made throughout the journey were later used to navigate the new terrioty. (Doc A) There were many advantages of the Louisiana Purchase such as the doubling of the size of the United States, total access to the Mississippi River and port of New Orleans, and more resourceful land to expand westward. Economic progress took place, and the more resourceful land the United States had, the more power the nation had. To encourage citizens to claim more land for homes and crops, the Homestead Act was passed. The Homestead Act of 1862 provided settlers with 160 acres of land, and in exchange, the land was to be used for living and growing crops. After 5 years of residency, settlers were able to receive ownership of the land. (Doc I) The Homestead Act was passed in order to encourage many Americans to migrate westward. If the settler agreed to pay $1.25 per acre, the land could be owned after six months of residency. John Gast was someone who was also able to encourage westward expansion by depicting the positive effects of westward expansion through art. In the painting, American Progress by John Gast, new light and hope is being brought to the West with the presence of God through the symbolization of the angel. (Doc F) The American Progress was painted in order to promote the expansion process of Manifest Destiny. The Americans wanted to incorporate civilization and innovation across America by expanding westward. The angel is holding a book to represent education as a highly
The course text states that in the mid-1800s many people in the United States felt a sense of uniqueness about the United States that helped drive westward expansion. As the course text elaborates, “rooted in Puritan utopianism and revolutionary republicanism, this sense of uniqueness and mission also stemmed from the rapid growth and progress of the early nineteenth century” (365). With this in mind, looking back over the course, explain how each of the following elements of United States history influenced attitudes on western expansion in the mid-1800s: Puritan utopianism, revolutionary republicanism, and mid-1800s’ economic growth. Be clear and specific in connecting each of these elements to westward expansion in the mid-1800s. Then, explain
During the 1800s, the actions taken by federal government led to westward expansion . According to the history of westward expansion the federal government's idea was to own from pacific ocean to Atlantic ocean (the area that created US right now). For them to own land from one ocean, they had to get the westward land which they did and move people to westward. Federal government did accomplished their idea in many ways.
With the East coast populous busting at the seams, the only way to expand was westward, towards the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains and new lands. A political party named the Free Soil party in 1852, wanted homesteads to reach further West, which took almost a decade for their idea to come to fruition. The first major driving point for this was the Homestead Act signed by President Abraham Lincoln which took effect January 1, 1863. This opened the door for something more than just exploration, it allowed people to take ownership of something bigger than
As Americans set their course westward, their steadfast belief in manifest destiny was used as a means of justification for immoral actions taken against the Native Americans. Following the Louisiana Purchase, America gained 828,000 acres of land west of the Mississippi River. As a large populus of Americans abandoned the overcrowded cities from the east and west to unearth the riches it held. Native Americans who occupied that land, began to be pushed further away from the land cultivated by their ancestors. Fatal squirmishes frequently broke out between the Natives and settlers, President Andrew Jackson proposed a solution.
The Louisiana Purchase The Louisiana Purchase was land in North America owned by the French and bought by the United States. Thomas Jefferson the current president in 1803 along with other U.S. ministers, negotiated with France for the purchase of the Louisiana territory. Not everyone agreed with the purchase since the U.S. was already in national debt; yet the buying of the Louisiana territory had more pros than cons. Once the territory joined the U.S., it would expand the USA land by twice its original size.
Westward Expansion rundown: The narrative of the United States has dependably been one of westward extension, starting along the East Coast and proceeding with, frequently rapidly, until it came to the Pacific—what Theodore Roosevelt portrayed as "The Colossal Jump Westward. " The securing of Hawaii and Alaska, however not typically incorporated into exchanges of Americans growing their country westward, proceeded with the practices set up under the rule of Manifest Destiny. A trip to the west for an average American would cost them about one thousand dollars per family.
This purchase is important to American History due to the significant increase in the amount of land owned by the American government. Furthermore the purchase of the Louisiana territory was significant because as Jefferson stated “The fertility of the country, its climate and extent, promise in due season important aids to our treasury, an ample provision for our posterity, and a wide-spread field for the blessings of freedom”
On May 20, 1862, the Homestead Act was passed which offered people acres of land for low prices. In total, the Homestead Act had 160 million acres of land to give which encouraged westward expansion. Homesteaders must live in residence for five years before receiving ownership of the land. Despite that, the Homestead Act provided a great significance towards economic interest for everyone. It gave everyone despite their race and religion a “fair chance” to obtain land and start a new life.
“Manifest Destiny,” written by John L. O’Sullivan, explains how expansion is needed for america and how it could better our nation. The painting “American Progress,”supports expansion by displaying what it looked like when the settlers moved in. The text, “Reporting to the President, September 23-December 31,1806,” by Stephen Ambrose, supports westward expansion by talking about how lewis and Clarke did good things to help westward expansion. What do you think about westward expansion?
America’s steady westward expansion in 19th century was influenced by several factors. Firstly, the overflowing population of America which according to second census was 5.3 million and by seventh census, it was expected to reach 23.2 million. This growing population is one of the major reason expansions of America in late 19th century. Secondly, the farmers during this time required arable land for livestock and crops which was not available due to overcrowd. Thereby, financial panics uprooted the people and sent them west for the fresh start.
America’s expansion seemed to cause major instability as it transitioned into independence. It caused wars with Britain and Mexico, but formed a strong relationship with France. However, this is the only case in which some stability is caused by expansion. Debatably one of the most destabilising outcomes of westward expansion was the slavery argument.
Westward expansion was in many ways by the federal government in the 1800s. This extension of the United States had a big influence on the country. Westward expansion brought railroads, new cities, gold mines, new farmland, more resources, and much more. Expansion of the country came with a lot of positives and also some negatives. From 1805 to 1900 the population of the natives went from 15,000 according to document 1 the non- Native Americans went from zero to 95,000.
Millions of Americans moved westward hoping for a path to economic opportunity. Additionally, “the land was free and the price was right” was a result
The Westward Expansion consisted of almost 7 million Americans migrating west, hoping to get land and be wealthy. It is often called Manifest Destiny, because many people believed settlers was intended to expand the west. Because so many people thought this way it was also thought the U.S was physically separated from Europe. This migration of people included people from Spain, France, Mexico, and other countries. The Western Expansion had a part in the foreign policies in the expansion towards the pacific and the way the U.S treated their relationship with other
How did the United States expand over the years and why? The expansion of the United States was a vital part of America’s history and greatly affects how we live today. America's early days only started in 13 states and then progressively grew to 50 states in total. The time throughout the 1800’s and what happened throughout that time greatly impacted how America expanded land, resources, opportunity, trade, and money. Two of many main causes that evoked American expansion was the amount of opportunity that America could take, the idea of Manifest destiny, and the amount of power that the US had on other countries.