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U.S. 1800-1860 During the 1800-1860 Essay
Pages:3 (927 words)
Sources:1
Subject:History
Topic:Westward Expansion
Document Type:Essay
Document:#24013184
While unable to purchase land in their original locations, Europeans and Americans alike moved to the West as this region presented them with the ability to capitalize more on their money. Additionally, the decreased cost of transportation would have also contributed to the movement of the population. Last, it is also argued that the migration was generated by technological developments. All these in essence worked together to create a more appealing image of the West and it came to a situation in which the actual exodus led other people to also move to the West.
"Population growth and technological innovation worked in concert as the main driving factors of Western Expansion. Specifically, the decrease in transportation costs induced Western migration and the redistribution of the American population -- without it only 30% of the population would have been in the West in 1900, compared to an actual historical figure of 60%. Land improvement technology, such as the use of barbed wire to cut down on the time needed to build a fence, had a small effect on the accumulation of land in the West" (Science Daily, 2008).
However seldom assessed as an actual cause of the westward expansion, the gold played a significant role in attracting more people to the region. The precious metal came to be found in various regions of the West and word quickly circulated. People as such came to the West to search for gold.
One notable example in this sense is represented by the California Gold Rush of 1848-1855. In those days, gold was found on the ground and could be simply picked up, so people from all over the U.S. came to California. Word however traveled fast and caught the attention of Europeans, Latin Americans and even Asians. Altogether, it was estimated than an additional 300,000 people came to California as a result of the Gold Rush (Learn California).
At the actual level of the population, the presence of gold did not materialize in massive gains, as most of those 300,000 ended up with the same wealth as before looking for gold. Some few however did become notably rich. Still, numerous people that had arrived in California remained in the state and supported its growth; the development of California was also supported by the gold, which led to improvements in infrastructure.
References:
2008, What caused westward expansion in the United States? Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228150402.htm last accessed on December 12, 2011
California Gold Rush, Learn California, http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=118 last accessed on December 12, 2011
Westward expansion 1800-1860: business and economy, Bookrags.com, http://www.bookrags.com/history/westward-expansion-business-and-economy / last accessed on Westward expansion, Son of the South, http://www.sonofthesouth.net/texas/westward-expansion.htm last accessed on December 12, 2011
Sample Source(s) Used
References:
2008, What caused westward expansion in the United States? Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228150402.htm last accessed on December 12, 2011
California Gold Rush, Learn California, http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=118 last accessed on December 12, 2011
Westward expansion 1800-1860: business and economy, Bookrags.com, http://www.bookrags.com/history/westward-expansion-business-and-economy / last accessed on Westward expansion, Son of the South, http://www.sonofthesouth.net/texas/westward-expansion.htm last accessed on December 12, 2011
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