Once they embarked, settlers faced numerous challenges: oxen dying of thirst, overloaded wagons, and dysentery , among others. Trails were poorly marked and hard to follow, and travelers often lost their way. Guidebooks attempted to advise travelers, but they were often unreliable.
What were the negative effects of westward expansion?
Westward Expansion generally had negative effects on the Native Americans . Native Americans were forced to live on reservations. The buffalo, an important resource, experienced rapid population decline. Military conflict between Whites and Native Americans resulted in many deaths.
Was the westward expansion good or bad?
Does the good of Westward Expansion outweigh the bad ? The good outcomes outweighed the bad. Americans were able to obtain more resources such as land and gold which created more income. It allowed the population to spread out so cities weren’t over populated and opened up more opportunities for jobs.
How was slavery affected by westward expansion?
The westward expansion carried slavery down into the Southwest, into Mississippi, Alabama, crossing the Mississippi River into Louisiana . Finally, by the 1840’s, it was pouring into Texas. ... So that it was slavery itself which made the progress of civilization possible.
How did westward expansion help the economy?
Overview. Land, mining, and improved transportation by rail brought settlers to the American West during the Gilded Age. New agricultural machinery allowed farmers to increase crop yields with less labor, but falling prices and rising expenses left them in debt.
What were the positive effects of westward expansion?
It brought more land for farming and improvement . Those who were in favor of the movement said that with more land area acquired, there were more agriculture land made available which was good for the economy and for supply of food and vegetables for the people.
What was the goal of the westward expansion?
Gold rush and mining opportunities (silver in Nevada) The opportunity to work in the cattle industry ; to be a “cowboy” Faster travel to the West by railroad; availability of supplies due to the railroad. The opportunity to own land cheaply under the Homestead Act.
What started westward expansion?
Westward expansion, the 19th-century movement of settlers into the American West, began with the Louisiana Purchase and was fueled by the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail and a belief in “manifest destiny.”
Why did the South want slavery to expand to the West?
While the South utilized slavery to sustain its culture and grow cotton on plantations, the North prospered during the Industrial Revolution. ... Slavery became even more divisive when it threatened to expand westward because non-slaveholding white settlers did not want to compete with slaveholders in the new territories .
Why did slavery expand in the South?
One of the primary reasons for the reinvigoration of slavery was the invention and rapid widespread adoption of the cotton gin . This machine allowed Southern planters to grow a variety of cotton – short staple cotton – that was especially well suited to the climate of the Deep South.
How did the Indian Removal Act impact the growth of slavery in the South?
Nakia Parker: While Indian removal expands the growth of slavery in the South, it also expands slavery westward because indigenous people who enslaved African-Americans could bring enslaved people to their new home in Indian territory.
What was life like during the westward expansion?
The daily life of people living on the frontier was filled with hard work and difficulties . Once a farmer cleared the land, built a cabin and a barn, and planted his crops, he still had a lot of chores that needed to be done each day. In order to survive, the entire family needed to work.
What were the benefits and drawbacks of Westward Expansion?
As it doubled the land area of the U.S. , it also increased goods, services and wealth. Some advocates said that not only did the movement increase the size of the country, expanding to other countries and not just states, but it also added to farm lands needed to produce products and poultry.
What were the positive effects of Manifest Destiny?
Manifest Destiny increased goods and doubled the U.S.’s land area, services, and wealth . Expanding American territories brought a lot of changes to the nation’s economy.
Why did settlers move west?
Pioneer settlers were sometimes pushed west because they couldn’t find good jobs that paid enough . Others had trouble finding land to farm. ... Pioneer settlers were sometimes pulled west because they wanted to make a better living. Others received letters from friends or family members who had moved west.
Who was affected by the westward expansion?
The United States’ militant westward expansion in the 19th century profound affected American Indians and contributed to tensions over slavery.
