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Westward Expansion In The Late 1800s And Early 1900s

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In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the United States federal government was trying promote westward expansion in the United States of America. They tried to do this in many ways and the methods that they used drastically changed and shaped the country. The United States federal government was trying very hard in the late 1800s and early 1900s to expand the country westward and their actions had many major impacts on the United States of America. Some of their actions include: relocating the indigenous Native Americans, passing the Homestead Act, and greatly promoting the construction of railroads. All of these efforts greatly altered the country and the lives of the Native Americans and the United States citizens. There were many actions taken by the United States government in the late 1800s and early 1900s that encouraged westward expansion in the U.S.. For example, they took care of the Native Americans that were already living out west. They achieved this using various methods, one being passing laws that cleared Native land for the United States. One of these laws was the Dawes’ Act of 1877. The Dawes’ Act of 1877 said that all land previously inhabited by the Native Americans was now given to U.S. families. Another important law that …show more content…

In conclusion, the United States federal government took many actions to promote westward expansion in the late 1800s and early 1900s which caused many changes within the United States of America. The relocation of indigenous Natives, the passing of the Homestead Act in 1862, and the expansion of transcontinental railroads had many different impacts on the country, some being positive and some being negative. Because of all of the actions taken by United States federal government in the late 1800s and early 1900s to promote westward expansion, the country’s shape and character was greatly

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After the Civil War ended many people were in hope of finding land since population was increasing. Since the West was underdeveloped and uncivilized, many decided to expand the land. First the Louisiana Purchase increased the opportunity of expansion. Then industrialization and the Homestead Act also caused many companies encouraged to move West due to the low cost of land and that the transportation was provided through the railroads. In order to complete such goals, something had to be done with the Natives since it conflicted with their home area.

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In the late 1800’s manifest destiny had taken over and many were moved to the west. With this movement came new inventions designed to make life easier and more productive, but it had a negative effect on the nation contrary to popular belief. The expansion of the railroads during the late 1800’s had a negative effect on many, including the natives Americans and other businesses. The Native Americans were the most affected by the expansion of the railroad. The first thing the iron roadway affected was the native American food source, the buffalo.

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The people who settled the west were greatly dependent on the US government and the policies they adopted. The settling of the west in the late 19th century was similar to the settlement of the south in the 1830’s. Andrew Jackson drove out the indians so that the valuable land of the south could be secured by white settlers. Once again, the federal government made it possible to settle the west by forcing indians off of their lands. A recurring theme in American history is manifest destiny and the attempt to develop unsettled lands by the federal government.

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The Westward Expansion all started when America made the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. There were many benefits from the purchase for the US that the French didn’t realize before they sold it. 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. The port city of New Orleans was bought by the US and its prosperity benefited the US greatly. The US sent Lewis and Clark west to investigate the land they purchased.

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For some, it was destiny to move west. Although there were many conflicts and disagreements between ourselves and others, it was destiny to move west because of overpopulation, new inventions of transportation methods, and new opportunities. In the 19th Century, overpopulation was one of the major reasons for Westward Expansion. Immigrants were flooding into America for new opportunities and new ways of life and there was just not enough land to suffice the needs for all of the people. These immigrants were arriving in America in the port cities on the East Coast.

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