Motivations for Motivations for Westward Westward ExpansionExpansion

Objective 4.01Objective 4.01

Why move West?Why move West?Claim land for settlementClaim land for settlementNew markets for New markets for commercecommerce

Provide homes for millions Provide homes for millions of Americans including of Americans including immigrantsimmigrants

Locate harbors on the Locate harbors on the PacificPacific

Con’tCon’t

Seek employment-avoid Seek employment-avoid creditors-Spread the creditors-Spread the virtues of Democracyvirtues of Democracy

Gold RushGold Rush

Frederick Jackson TurnerFrederick Jackson Turner

American Historian American Historian Westward expansion most important Westward expansion most important

factor in creating factor in creating the Americanthe American

How did they get How did they get there?there?

Transcontinental Railroads (Met at Transcontinental Railroads (Met at Promontory Point, Utah)Promontory Point, Utah)

Two major companies: Union Pacific Two major companies: Union Pacific and Central Pacificand Central Pacific

Workers on the railroads:Workers on the railroads:– Civil War VeteransCivil War Veterans– Irish and Chinese ImmigrantsIrish and Chinese Immigrants– African AmericansAfrican Americans– Mexican AmericansMexican Americans

Homestead Act of Homestead Act of 18621862Settlers could claim land of Settlers could claim land of

up to 160 acres for a $10 feeup to 160 acres for a $10 feeGave legal recognition of a Gave legal recognition of a

persons land in the Great persons land in the Great Plains and more wanted to Plains and more wanted to comecome

Wanted to relieve the dense Wanted to relieve the dense population of immigrants in population of immigrants in the eastthe east

Comstock LodeComstock LodeHenry Comstock staked a Henry Comstock staked a claim in Nevada in 1859 to claim in Nevada in 1859 to find that the mud was almost find that the mud was almost pure silver orepure silver ore

Prospectors flooded into the Prospectors flooded into the area—became a city of wealtharea—became a city of wealth

1859-1878—yielded about 1859-1878—yielded about $400 million in silver and $400 million in silver and gold gold

Brought many Brought many advancements in mining advancements in mining technologytechnology

Decline began in 1874 and Decline began in 1874 and by 1898 the town was a by 1898 the town was a “ghost town”“ghost town”

Virginia Virginia City, NVCity, NV

Oklahoma Land Rush Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889of 1889

Most famous of all land runsMost famous of all land runsFederal govt. gave up land Federal govt. gave up land to homesteadersto homesteaders

At noon on April 22At noon on April 22ndnd, TX , TX and AK borders were lined and AK borders were lined with settlerswith settlers

Hunt for land so fierce that Hunt for land so fierce that some were killedsome were killed

People in the West—People in the West—Roles of WomenRoles of Women

Had to be resourcefulHad to be resourcefulJob was toJob was to

–Raise the childrenRaise the children–Run the household—food & Run the household—food & clothingclothing

–Establish schools and Establish schools and churches in some instanceschurches in some instances

Roles of African Roles of African AmericansAmericans

West offered new homes, West offered new homes, new beginnings, and new new beginnings, and new opportunities to enjoy opportunities to enjoy freedomfreedom

ExodustersExodusters““Black Towns” sprang upBlack Towns” sprang up

Worked Worked asas–Cattle Cattle driversdrivers

–MinersMiners–Railroad Railroad workersworkers

–FarmersFarmers

Roles of IrishRoles of IrishMass immigration—1840sMass immigration—1840sMet with resistanceMet with resistanceMany went west for the Many went west for the new opportunitiesnew opportunities

Did the hard jobs—building Did the hard jobs—building bridges and railroadsbridges and railroads

Built a reputation for Built a reputation for being hard-workingbeing hard-working

Roles of ChineseRoles of ChineseNot welcomed!Not welcomed!Proved to be essential Proved to be essential to growth throughto growth through–RailroadsRailroads–FarmingFarming–MiningMining–Servants (mostly men)Servants (mostly men)–Doctors (herbalists)Doctors (herbalists)