Downward Migration DBQ

The contrasts between the American West and East in the nineteenth century range from a new start to the adventure of the living in the Wild West. The east had become overcrowded and did not allow much opportunity for people of lesser wealth. “In 1893, the historian Frederick Jackson Turner gave a celebrated lecture, “The Significance of the Frontier in American History,” in which he argued that on the western frontier the distinctive qualities of American culture were forged: individual freedom, political democracy, and economic mobility. The West, he added, acted as a “safety

The Homestead act was the act that encouraged people to move west and develop agriculture in 1862.

In the time between the 1890s and 1920s, America experienced a massive amount of growth. People in poverty-stricken, overcrowded cities suffered greatly. In big cities, politicians kept power using several political machines. Companies created monopolies and controlled the nation’s economy. Many Americans were concerned about this, and believed that great change was needed in society to protect everyday people.

During the “Gilded Age” period of American history, development of the Trans-Mississippi west was crucial to fulfilling the American dream of manifest destiny and creating an identity which was distinctly American. Since the west is often associated with rugged pioneers and frontiersmen, there is an overarching idea of hardy American individualism. However, although these settlers were brave and helped to make America into what it is today, they heavily relied on federal support. It would not have been possible for white Americans to settle the Trans-Mississippi west without the US government removing Native Americans from their lands and placing them on reservations, offering land grants and incentives for people to move out west, and the

What were the roots of the farmers’ political revolt of early 1890s? Why were they unsuccessful in bringing about greater social justice for farmers and industrial workers (the Populist Party?)? Farmers faced increasing international competition during the 1890s as well as decreasing profit. The expanding railroad industry majority impacted the livelihood of farmers by charging more for transporting their products even over short distances.

They believed that the government, local leaders, and the states should play a more active roll in bringing about a fair economy, raising the living standards for all Americans, and directing the vast American resources toward the problems facing America on a personal level. Reforms occurred on federal, state, and local levels. On a federal level reforms consisted of women's suffrage, lowering taxes on imports, prohibiting alcohol, regulating package of foods, sales of drugs, conservation of the environment, and regulating trusts. On a state level reforms consisted of reorganization and reduction of ruling bodies due to corruption, regulation of child labor, creation of power and sewer systems. Although many reforms were made during this period, we will be more concerned with those dealing with children in this paper.

During westward expansion the government wanted, ( as well as many other Americans did,) to move west. To make capitalism spread west they passed the Homestead Act . “...The Homestead Act encouraged western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public land…” (Mr. Lintner September 11th). Then they had to live on that land for 5 years.

The reason for why more farmers joined this movement was because the current economic conditions were unfavorable for them, for example, crops prices fell, railroads increased shipping fees, and Congress favoring paper money all devastated farmers through America in the late 19th century. The Grangers also tried to negotiate discounts and set up cash-only co-ops, which meant that they had to pay for the crops in cash. Also, the Grangers attacked railroads that were giving unfair rates for the farmer with their high rates, despite the fact that the railroads often give discounts to larger shippers. The movement was progressing at a steady rate due to a common goal of the Grangers, which was to help themselves in a time of desperation, but the movement ended as a failure due to the prices of crops being revived in 1878 it still laid a foundation for future agrarian

Throughout American History, revolutions in transportation have affected the American society politically, socially and economically. Soon after the war of 1812, American nationalism increased which leads to a greater emphasis on national issues, the increase in power and prevalence of the national government and a growing sense of the American Identity. Railways, canals, and Turnpikes began to increase making many people employed. The era of 1830-1860 represents a shift from agrarianism to industrialism. Overall, during the transportation revolution, construction of turnpikes, roads, canals, and railroads led to the market economy expansion, an increased population in America and alternations of the physical landscape of America.

When the farmers they worked for lost their lands, they were left in a much more

In addition to railroads, Congress passed numerous acts and laws to encourage people to move west. One of the first acts was the Homestead Act of 1862. Which “gave 160 acres of land to anyone who would pay a $10 registration fee and pledge to live on it and cultivate it for five year” (Divine, Breen, Fredrickson, and Williams 502). Passing this law forged a “mass migration of land-hungry Europeans” (Divine, Breen, Fredrickson, and Williams 502), amazed that a country would relinquish millions of acres for free. Between 1862 and 1900, close to 600,000 families made their way west from free homesteads.

Introduction The Declaration of Independence of 1776 asserted that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, the exhaustion of farm land by poor agricultural planning and the introduction of the assembly line reversed the flow in the 1920s. They helped to turn the migration of the people back to the city. Many farmers returned to the cities to work for such leaders of industry as Ford and Rockefeller. The American Dream indicated not about a better life but about wealth.

In Laurence Shames’s article, “The More Factor” he speaks to Americans about the hunger and greed associated with the history of the United States. He brings attention to the 1880s, where many speculators would buy empty land and quickly develop it into a small town. Sidewalks, hotels, flagpoles, and churches were constructed and left behind by the workers when they moved on. Afterwards, the speculators would hire others to hand out flyers promoting these new towns. Through the use of flowery titles, persuasion, or even bribery, speculators convinced people to live in their new town, at least until a census was taken.

The 19th century was a period of widespread social, economical and political problems in the United States, from the 1890s to the 1920s in need of reform. Both parties were created by the people’s dissatisfaction with the government and its ability to appeal to the majority. The Populist movement was founded my farmers, laborers and middle class civilians that wanted government regulation in the economy, more authority in the government, educating immigrants, to prevent government corruption and high positions to be based on experience.

Migration DBQ The United States of America has, and will always be, a country where immigrants and refugees can migrate to, internally and internationally, to vastly improve their lives. During the late 19th century in the US, there was a massive influx of immigrants from all over the world, as well as movement of people already living in the US to different areas. These people were primarily seeking better job opportunities due to numerous economic issues in foreign countries and social tensions in the post-Reconstruction US.