Westward movement Flashcards
(7 cards)
impacts of westward movement
- Implementation of land policies
- Development of transportations
- development of new industries
- wars and conflicts with american indians
impacts of westward movement: Implementation of land policies
Different land policies implemented to attract farmers and immigrants
(e.g. Land Ordinance of 1785; Homestead Act, 1862)
Allowed the government to sell lands in the West at a low price to satisfy
the farmers
People could be granted the permanent ownership of land if they farmed
for multiple years
impacts of westward movement: Development of transportations
Land routes: First federal highway – the Cumberland Road (1818)
Water routes: First Canal connecting the East Coast and the West – the
Erie Canal (1825)
Railways: First railroad linking Iowa and California – The US
Transcontinental Railroad (1869)
impacts of westward movement: Development of New industries
California Gold Rush in the 1850s: gold mines were discovered in California,
300000 people had come to California, promoting the development of the area of
San Francisco
Silver, copper and coal mines were discovered in the West, promoting
industrialization
The West became the centre of US textile and steel industries; provided raw
materials for car manufacturing in the East in the late 19th century
The development of industries attracted many immigrants from European
countries, providing cheap labor force.
impacts of westward movement: impacts of westward movement: wars and conflicts with american indians
The exile of American Indians: The signing of the Indian Removal Act in 1830
took away the American Indians land ownership and forced them migrate.
Wars with American Indians: Large scale persecution of American Indians were
carried out since the 1860s. There were monitored by the government in their
assigned reservations afterwards.
background of the monroe doctrine
- isolation tradition of the US
- intervention of European powers in America
