Westward Expansion: Geographic and Economic Factors

1
Westward Expansion Geographic and Economic
Factors

• SOL USI.8b The student will demonstrate
  knowledge of westward expansion and reform in
  America from 1801 to 1861 by b) identifying the
  geographic and economic factors that influenced
  the westward movement of settlers

2
Reasons for Migration

• 1. Westward migration was influenced by GEOGRAPHY
  and ECONOMIC opportunity.

3
What Were Some of the Reasons for Westward
Migration?

• 1. Population growth in the EASTERN states
• 2. Availability of CHEAP, FERTILE LAND.

4
What Were Some of the Reasons for Westward
Migration?

• 3. Economic Opportunity examples include gold
  (CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH) , logging, farming, and
  freedom (for runaway slaves)

5
The San Francisco Gold Rush
6
What Were Some of the Reasons for Westward
Migration?

• 4. Cheaper and faster transportation, e.g.,
  rivers and canals (ERIE CANAL), steamboats

7
What Were Some of the Reasons for Westward
Migration?

• 5. Knowledge of overland trails (OREGON and SANTA
  FE)
• 6. Belief in the right of MANIFEST DESTINY

8
What was the Manifest Destiny?

• THE IDEA THAT EXPANISION WAS GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY
  AND WAS THE RIGHT OF THE UNITED STATES

American Progress by John Gast (1872)