Dbq Westward Expansion

In the 1850’s the United States faced one of the most important issues which was the Westward Expansion. The Westward Expansion was the movement of easterners to the West.
It impacted many people and the way of life in America.This movement created many hardships as well as successes. There are many reasons why easterners moved westward. One reason, based on Document two, is because of the great gold discoveries in California. In 1859 two young prospectors found gold in the Sierra Nevada and the word spread to the East. Many miners went to the West to “strike it rich” and the Gold Rush begun. Another reason why people went West is because they heard of the Homestead Act. This act by congress promised 160 acres of land to anyone who

One major effect was they were losing their land to Americans after gold was found at Pikes Peak, Colorado in 1858. Settlers and miners rushed to the lands and asked the government for protection from the Indians. The Indians were then told to sign a treaty giving up the land around Pikes Peak and they lost their land. Another way the United States impacted the life was the killing of buffalo. In Document 1, it describes how important the buffalo was to the Native Americans. The Native Americans did not respond peacefully to this. It caused a lot of fighting because the Americans had not kept their promises. The Americans and the Indians agreed to the Fort Laramie Treaty that had said the Native Americans would have their lands forever. After a lot of fighting the Indians finally gave up. Based on Document 7, it states how Chief Joseph finally surrendered to the United States government troops. Lastly they used every part of the buffalo and did not waste anything. When they had saw that the Americans had been killing all the buffalo for entertainment, and for only their hides, they could not believe what they saw. The killing of the buffalo impacted in many changes in their traditions and way of