Political And Economic Causes Of The Westward Expansion Essay

1417 Words6 Pages

The westward expansion was impacted by three main things and that is social, political, and economic. The westward expansion was impacted on a social scales with the tension between the Native Americans and the U.S., also during the journey to the west many people died. On a political scale the westward expansion was affected by the many wars and treaties that has to happen in order for the U.S. to gain the land, which then allows us to expand to the west. The westward expansion was effected by the economy because of the many technology that was created like trains, also because of the westward expansion there was an increase in business and industry's triumphed and since businesses grew there were many job opportunities which inclined people …show more content…

First off the reason the westward expansion happened is that the U.S. got new land and they got the land by making treaties and fighting in wars. Which is under the political category. For example according to Document C “The Growth of the United States 1783-1853” shows how because of politics the U.S. was able to gain many land from Great Britain, France, and Mexico. Like the Louisiana Purchase that the U.S. got from France in 1803. Since the U.S. purchased Louisiana there was a new job needed and that was to explore the new territory that the U.S. got. After the U.S. was done with expeditions and mapping a lot of people moved over to the area so that they can get land. Which caused new states to be created and since more states were created more people moved over since there were new jobs and businesses made in the new territory. Document C also shows how later on the U.S. ended up fighting Mexico in order to get Texas. Which brought a negative impact because of the expense of war which made the U.S. debt go up and many people died which could have affected the …show more content…

First off many conflicts happened because of the social tension between the Native Americans and the White Americans. For example according to Document E “Perspectives of the Natives and Whites” Santana the Chief of the Kiowas said, “A long time ago this land belonged to our fathers; but when I go up to the river I see camps of soldiers here on its bank. These soldiers cut down my timber; they kill my buffalo; and when I see that, my heart feels like bursting; I feel sorry.” This tells you that because of the White Americans the Natives and the land has suffered seeing as how the White Americans kicked the Natives off of their land and destroyed the land by cutting down trees and killing buffaloes which affects the ecosystem. Things like this forced the Native Americans to try to negotiate with the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court ruled in their favor. But because of people like Jackson who also on Document E said, “...By opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the north and Louisiana on the south to the settlement of the whites it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier...It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way and under their own rude (primitive) institutions [and] to cast of their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian