Why Did So Many Americans Move Westwards Between 1846 1900
When considering why so many Americans moved west, it is essential to deliberate how it became increasingly viable to do so. ... Through different purchases and the Mexican War, the dream of Manifest Destiny came to life and through changes in transport and communications the move west for so many Americans became feasible. The final expanse of the USA was a product of such large numbers of the public desiring to move west, and the factors making this move conceivable. ... The fundamental reason for movement westwards was the dissatisfaction of living in the East. ... Eastern Politicians and writers influenced many to move west as they saw it being a place where real American values continued to survive, where there was a prospect that farmers could own rather than rent land; the Jefferson ideal. ... We can appreciate the influential factor, consequently resulting in so many having the intentions to move west. ... Other Americans could not accept such a group. ... A clear example of wanting to move west as a result of a dissatisfied life. ... Appreciating why it was these particular people who aspired to life in the West is now possible. ... Although the issue of movement westwards and westward expansion are so closely intertwined I feel it beneficial to separate the causes of each ambition out to a certain extent. ... Each step making America more and more powerful and creating more and more reasons appealing to a variety of people to move west. ... The fact that Texas did result in entering the Union contributed largely to why so many moved west. ... Since 1818 USA and Britain had jointly occupied Oregon, however by 1845 around 5,000 Americans were living there compared with 1,000 British. ... The Oregon Treaty of 1846 meant the route to the Pacific was secured, strengthening the USA and making the route to the West significantly more feasible. ... These major links sprawled a major network across the west, increasing from 3,000 miles of track West of Mississippi in 1865 to 87,000 miles by 1900. To conclude, why did so many Americans move westwards between 1846-1900? ... Why over this period of time were there an increasing number of immigrants? Because over time it became easier to move west. Asking why it became possible to travel west is interlocked with the question of why did so many travel west, however I believe each factor had an impact on the next.