Western Development And Economic Growth After The Civil War
The Civil War was a four-year battle fought in the United States from April 1861 to April 1865 between the North and South states because of slavery, state rights, and westward expansion. The Civil War aided western development and economic and industrial growth. Western development significantly grew after the war because of the Homestead Act, freedom of slaves, and mining opportunities. The economy remarkably grew post-Civil War, which was caused by natural resources, immigrants, and advancements in technology. Lastly, industrial growth was on a rise, transportation vastly improved, communication and business were developing, and the Second Industrial Revolution led to the expansion of the industrial industry. Although the Civil War caused …show more content…
“Americans settled more land in the West than they had on the entire continent in the centuries before 1870.” Expanding the western settlements was important because it brought population growth, which meant more farming leading to a booming economy. The Homestead Act was a major incentive for people to move their families to a new homeland. Passed by Abraham Lincoln in May of 1862, it provided 160 acres of federal land to people who agreed to farm, make improvements, and build a home. As long as you were 21, a United States citizen, or agreed to intend to become one, and promised to never fight against the United States or help the enemy, you could obtain land. This would also be beneficial for slaves since they were assumed not to own very much once freed from their owners after the Civil War. Moreover, the freedom of slaves provided a population increase. Projected to have four million Southern slaves freed, the Western states expected a flood of people. Furthermore, there were opportunities to mine for gold and silver, which applied to money-hungry men. “California gold rush had set typical pattern, in which mobs of prospectors rushed to a new find, followed by camp followers - peddlers, saloon keepers, prostitutes, gamblers, hustlers, and assorted desperadoes eager to ‘mine the miners.’” With the implementation of railroads, traveling westward also became easier, which attracted a lot of people. Without the Civil War, the progression of westward expansion would have been abundantly
How Did The Civil War Influence The Development Of Big Business
575 Words | 3 PagesAfter the Civil War, the United States had two distinct economies, which is quite significant. The Southern economy was completely damaged by the results of the Civil War. Southerners were forced to readjust their entire economy, because slaves needed to be liberated, leaving slave-owners with no workforce. Meanwhile, in the North, the need to supply Union armies with particularly daily supplies marked the start of an era of industrial development. Which giant corporations essentially emerged known as Big Business.
Discuss The Causes Of The Civil War Dbq
661 Words | 3 PagesThe first main cause of the Civil War was economic differences between the Northern and Southern states. During the first few decades of the 19th century, the North had an industrial revolution that brought an economy that relied on laborers. While at the same time, the South continued to rely on slaves for their farming and the production of cotton. The Northerners did not need slaves for their economy, but the Southerners could not make any profit without cotton or slaves. In the 1860’s, the North had twice as many railroads as the South, and the South had a bigger cotton production because of their slave population (Document A).
How Did The Railroad Have An Impact On The United States During The 19th Century
927 Words | 4 PagesIn 1862, Congress passed the Homestead Act in the Great Plains, which allowed the poor to have a chance to own land. During this time, the Civil War was still in action and more people started moving West. First, the Homestead Act and promotion by railroads brought more farmers into the West, which meant more food for the growing population of America and the cultivation of the West. Although this was helpful for the nation, it was less effective than the railroads for the selling of crops because farmers could have a bad harvest or not be able to get crops to the market on time.
How Did The Civil War Affect The Economy
623 Words | 3 PagesThe civil war was a bloody destructive war fought between the United States and the confederate states of America. Following the war, the United States was faced with economic consequences that largely impacted American civilization and benefitted Robber barons. Although some may say that agriculture and labor were the primary economic consequences of the civil war, I argue that it was industrialization and transportation because they both affected Americans’ quality of life and created income inequalities. The industrial revolution had a drastic impact on American society because of its rapid economic growth.
Western Expansion In The 19th Century
586 Words | 3 PagesThe idea of everyone having their own land in the new frontier was opportunity of a life time. The pursue the American Dream wow what a deal of taking your own land, finding your own destiny, and the master of your own fate you can’t ask for anything more. The immigrated came by the boat loads to the US in the 19th century.
How Did The Homestead Act Affect The Lives Of The Native Americans
492 Words | 2 PagesThe Homestead Act was signed in May 1862. The Homestead Act allowed all Americans, including slaves, to claim 160 acres of land. About 1.6 million homesteads were granted and 270,000,000 acres of land was distributed. By 1934, most of the good land was claimed, but the law continued until 1976 on the continent, and 1986 in Alaska.
Western Expansion And Industrial Growth In The United States
745 Words | 3 PagesThe American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 and had profound effects on the United States. This war contributed to the Western expansion and economic and industrial growth in the United States of America in the decades following the Civil War. This was achieved by a number of things such as the construction of the transcontinental railroad, granting settlers public land, and technological improvements. Those along with other things played a pivotal role in shaping the United States as it emerged from the conflict and embarked on a new journey towards Western expansion, economic prosperity, and industrial development.
Migration West During The 1800's
407 Words | 2 PagesThe Homestead Acts gave 160 acres of government owned land to small farmers who were either U.S. citizens or planing to become one. In exchange these people would pay a small registration fee and had to promise to live on the land for at least five years. Many people thought this was a fair trade off so packed their bags and started heading west.
Westward Expansion After Civil War
378 Words | 2 PagesI believe that the expansion of the frontier after the Civil war played a significant role in easing the social tensions. After the civil war, in the late 19th century, America experienced several changes such as unprecedented process of urbanization and industrialization, the rise of the few huge corporations, various technological advancements, and several rights movements. Because of the westward expansion, people got various opportunities to improve their living. Several reasons behind the westward expansion were population growth, the revolution in transportation, money, and free or slave state debate. During this time, coal, steel and railroads became an immense source of wealth and power.
Reasons Behind Westward Expansion
506 Words | 3 PagesThere was a lot of land untouched and great for farming and mining. The once uncivilized, desolate land was now discovered to have precious metals, good area for farming and bountiful in land for creating transcontinental railroads. Reconstruction of the south definitely was a contributing factor for the Westward expansion. After the Civil War, the south was destroyed, filled with ruins and desolation. The South and the West had opportunities for businesses, agriculture, and a new start for many
Post Civil War Dbq
1017 Words | 5 PagesTo say the time period following the Civil War in the United States involved a lot of change would be a understatement. Between the years 1870 and 1900 the people of the United States lived through a period of great change. Not only did they witness technological advances that would change their daily lives, they also saw new laws and organizations formed. All of this was done in hopes of improving the country. Many of these changes came about because of the type of businesses that were formed.
Reconstruction Era Of Western Expansion
256 Words | 2 PagesUnder the Homestead Act westerners were provided up to 160 acres of land in which they would live and farm for five years before obtaining ownership of the land. Though five years was a rather substantial trade off, the land
Manifest Destiny: The Consequences Of Westward Expansion
554 Words | 3 PagesMost people went to California to dig for gold. However, not all were successful in finding Gold. The Gold Rush wasn’t all about mining gold. Many people provided resources for the miners such as food, extra mining materials, clothing, etc. The whole exploration provided immigrants and natives with jobs that they could benefit from.
Manifest Destiny Benefits
774 Words | 4 PagesThe U.S had gained a lot of land, or frontiers in the West from Mexico. The land was undeveloped, therefore the U.S had to find a way to develop the land. The U.S would come up with the Homestead Act. The Homestead Acts states that any citizen or anyone planning to become a citizen is eligible to gain 160 acres of land, typically to form farms. The plan was intended to make the people stay in that land and create a
How Did The Homestead Act Affect Women
1652 Words | 7 PagesThe Homestead Act is a special Act that promoted migration to the western part of US. Public lands were made easily accessible to settlers with a small filing fee in exchange for 160 acres of land to be used for farming. Homesteaders received ownership of the land after continuously residing on the land for five years. Homesteaders also had an alternative of acquiring the land from the government by paying a specified amount per acre, after six months of residency. The Homestead Act resulted in the distribution of million acres of public land (Library of Congress n.p).
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