United States: The Expanding Nation

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Hi,

Good to hear from you again! This is another group of interesting questions! Let's look at each question, which you can then draw on for your final copy. I am assuming these are questions to include in a paper. Your tentative outline will look something to the effect:

I. Introduction (e.g. introduce topic; purpose or thesis statement),
II. Body (e.g, address the five sections), and
IV. Conclusion (e..g., restate purpose; tie up main points).

Let's look at some information to consider for each section. I also attached one of the supporting articles, from which some of this response is drawn.

RESPONSE:

The impact of westward expansion on U.S economic growth was positive for some people, but at the expense of other groups, such as Native Americans. It exacerbated sectionalism and had an effect on domestic and foreign policy.

a. The significance that westward expansion had on U.S. economic growth.

During the 'westward expansion' (from the late 1700s-1800s), the United States grew to stretch across the continent. In the late 1700s-1800s, United States of America rapidly grew in size from its original 13 colonies to a vast country spanning the North American continent. Brave and determined pioneers settled and began new lives in this frontier.

Specifically, in 1783, the United States of America was a new nation ready to grow. It began as 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast until explorers like Daniel Boone found a route through the Appalachian Mountains, and Lewis and Clark mapped the Louisiana Purchase. The idea of 'Manifest Destiny' (expand America from the Pacific to the Atlantic) and the chance for fertile farmland (e.g. dreams of economic prosperity) encouraged pioneers to head west and settle. Immigration also increased during this period. Stephen Austin led many pioneers to the Texas Territory, which won its freedom from Mexico and was later annexed to the U.S. The U. S. gained land in Florida, the Southwest and Oregon through war, treaties and purchases. Events such as the California Gold Rush, the Homestead Act of 1862,and the development of transportation encouraged thousands of pioneers to settle the West e.g. homesteader, which is an American who traveled west in the mid-19th century hoping to find free or cheap land to farm. California Gold Rush is part of the westward expansion (beginning in 1848) when the discovery of gold in California caused thousands of people to immigrate and flock to the West in hopes of becoming rich. These people were nicknamed the '49ers.

During this westward expansion, the development of transportation e.g. roads, railways, etc. was essential for United States growth and expansion as well. For example, the Transcontinental Railroad is a significant event in the U.S. economic growth, completed in 1869, which connected the east and west coasts, which was positively related to economic growth. Gradually, we see the emergence of the middle class in early America, the growth of a national culture, and the urban life style was generated by industrial expansion.

Source: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/T2ARP/quest/journeys/westlessons.html#lesson%201.

b. The impact immigration had on America's demographic, economic, and political climate during the mid-19th century

An immigrant is a person who comes to live in a new country after leaving his or her home country. In Eastern U.S., for example, many immigrants had been lured to America by promises of free land, and limitless horizons. They found instead hard life in eastern cities. Many were farmers by trade, rightfully disappointed, but itching to make their fortunes; they began to listen to advertising of the 'promised land' out west. Government free land, romantic stories of the West, and personal discontent lead thousands to prepare and move out West. http://edweb.sdsu.edu/T2ARP/quest/journeys/westlessons.html#lesson%201

Thus, immigration had an impact on America's demographics through diversity. For example, the second major flow of immigrants started in the 1820's and lasted until a depression in the early 1870's. Between 1830 and 1850, some 2.5 million immigrants, most of them from northern and western Europe, arrived in America. About a third were Irish who sought escape from a potato famine that struck Ireland in the mid-1840's. Most of the Irish had little money, and ...