Westward Expansion Research Paper

Words: 693

Pages: 3

Open Document

The United States' westward expansion had a complex and varied impact on the different groups of people in the West during this time. The groups impacted included Native Americans, white settlers, Mexicans, African Americans, and Asians.White settlers were the primary group moving westward during this time, with many traveling across the country in search of land, wealth, and new opportunities. These settlers often saw themselves as pioneers, bravely forging a new frontier, and viewed the West as an empty space waiting to be filled.However, the West was far from empty. Many Native American tribes already inhabited these lands and were greatly impacted by U.S. expansion. Native Americans were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands, leading …show more content…
While white settlers often benefited from this expansion, many other groups, including Native Americans, Mexicans, African Americans, and Asians, were harmed. The environment was also greatly impacted by this expansion, with many natural resources being depleted or destroyed. It is important to consider the perspectives of all groups impacted by westward expansion, including those that have traditionally been underrepresented. Mexicans and Mexican Americans were also affected by U.S. expansion, as much of the Southwest had been part of Mexico before the Mexican-American War. Many Mexicans lost their land and were forced to become laborers or renters. They were also subject to discrimination and segregation, which continued for many years.African Americans and Asians also had an impact on U.S. expansion, with many serving as laborers on the transcontinental railroad and other infrastructure projects. However, they often faced significant discrimination, with the Chinese Exclusion Act and other laws targeting Asian

Westward Expansion Research Paper

of 1803, westward expansion has been a continuity in American history until the US census of 1890, which announced that the frontier no longer existed. In forty-five years, the organized United States doubled in size, from the Louisiana Territory to the west coast. Westward expansion to the Pacific Coast wouldn’t have been as efficient, or perhaps not possible, without several key factors. This research paper will discuss such factors. The major influences of a continuous westward expansion of America…

Words 1370 - Pages 6

Westward Expansion Research Paper

When one hears the word ‘movement’ most think about minor actions like dancing or running, however the movement of the Westward Expansion was much more than that. The movement towards the West affected people, places and encouraged biased opinions on many people. Despite what most Americans think, the westward expansion wasn’t just the beginning of the USA, it was also the end of many other nations, annihilating innumerable generations of Native Americans and making slaves of African Americans and…

Words 1039 - Pages 5

Westward Expansion Research Paper

where dreams collide with realities and the promise of a new beginning beckoned with every sunrise. The era of Westward Expansion, stands as proof of the relentless pursuit of opportunity and never-ending courage that characterized the nation in the 19th century. As settlers traveled, they were driven by hope, ambition, and the belief that they were destined to succeed. Westward expansion not only propelled the nation towards territorial growth, it also led to new economic opportunities. Although…

Words 1039 - Pages 5

Westward Expansion Research Paper

Movement impacts people, places, and ideas in multiple, significant ways. The Westward Expansion of the United States is a prime example of the consequences that movement has on people, places, and ideas. The birth of the Texas Republic was spurred by the migration of American settlers. Bleeding Kansas was caused by the mass migration of pro and anti-slavery settlers, who then clashed in a guerilla war. The California Gold Rush, which was fueled by rapid migration, left a long-lasting impact on the…

Words 843 - Pages 4

Westward Expansion Research Paper

Impact of Westward expansion This era in the 1800s was a life changing experience for all Americans. It defined the way America is today, it is the reason for so many lasting issues that still exist. It may have happened hundreds of years ago, but the effects of this still linger. This is a Westward expansion. White Americans felt the idea that they were meant to settle the entire continent of North America, this idea was called Manifest Destiny. Throughout westward expansion the Chinese immigrated…

Words 697 - Pages 3

Westward Expansion Research Paper

The Effects of the Westward Expansion As 1865 descended upon the Americans, they began to make a push west onto an “untouched” frontier. The push west started when the United States Federal Government acquired an immense amount of land (one million square miles), causing widespread migration. The dream of achieving self-sufficiency and independence was at the forefront of many of the migrating American minds. They sought a better life with promises of land and money. Having occurred between 1801…

Words 1356 - Pages 6

Westward Expansion Research Paper

Ways of travel during the Westward Expansion: During the Westward Expansion and the Gold Rush, the settlers developed ways to get westward faster. It was a very hard journey to get westward because you had to travel thousands of miles and cross the Sierra Nevada mountain range. One of the most popular methods to travel was the Oregon Trail. It operated from 1811-1840 and it was 2200 miles long. During the years that people traveled on it, it saw 350,000 settlers that wanted to travel west. They…

Words 303 - Pages 2

Westward Expansion Research Paper

The Westward Expansion of the US is a significant event for the nation. The exploration of new territories allowed for many different opportunities to arise for the development of the US. The westward expansion was when the colonists of the eastern part of the US, began moving west. The good that the westward expansion does is immense, leading the US into a path of power. The Westward expansion unequivocally resulted in the displacement of natives, but it undeniably paved the way for the nation's…

Words 307 - Pages 2

Westward Expansion Research Paper

Westward expansion is something that was vital to the formation of the United States. At the time, the belief of many was that is was the “will of God.” Others believed it was the simple right of Americans to push westward. Today, it is still questioned by historians as to whether or not it was the right decision. If it was the right decision, could it have been done differently? The expansion into the west was a controversial topic due to the push and pull factors, new technologies, and the conflicts…

Words 594 - Pages 3

Westward Expansion Research Paper

Movement impacts people, places, and ideas in multiple, significant ways. The Westward Expansion of the United States is a prime example of the consequences that movement has on people, places, and ideas. The birth of the Texas Republic was spurred by the migration of American settlers. Bleeding Kansas was caused by the mass migration of pro and anti-slavery settlers, who then clashed in a guerilla war. The California Gold Rush, which was fueled by rapid migration, left a long-lasting impact on the…

Words 843 - Pages 4