Positive Impact Of Westward Expansion 1800s

During the 1800s, the federal government promoted westward expansion in various ways. This expansion changed the shape and character of the country. America was able to get Westward Expansion in various ways like purchasing it and fighting for it. There were also various impacts that the expansion had on America, a positive result was the Homestead Act of 1862. This was when the government gave people land, but they had to grow a field full of crops in 5 years to obtain the land for free. A negative result was the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This was when Indians were forced to move out West. Two ways we gained our land were by purchasing it and fighting for it. An example of purchasing land was the famous Louisiana Purchase. This was when

According to the National Archives, they state, “. Any U.S. citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. Government could file an application, improving the land and laying claim to 160 acres of surveyed Government land. For the next 5 years, the homesteader had to live on the land and improve it by building a 12-by-14 dwelling and growing crops. After 5 years, the homesteader could file for his patent (or deed of title) by submitting proof of residency and the required improvements to a local land office.” This piece of historical evidence helps show that this had a positive impact on early America because it gave people an easy and efficient way to get free land. Although they had to farm for over 5 years, which is sort of a long time, this was also very beneficial because then they can use that land for free and have a nice big field filled with resources. It was also a good way to show that working hard can pay off really well. This also gave the government a good look at themselves because they were practically giving land out for

Over 4,000 Indians and Natives died because of this act and they were practically forced off of their land. According to the document, “Indian Removal Act of 1830,” it states, “...not included in any state or organized territory, and to which the Indian title has been extinguished [revoked], as he [the president] may judge necessary, to be divided into a suitable number of districts, for the reception of such tribes or nations of Indians as may choose to exchange the lands where they now reside, and remove there; and to cause each of said districts to be so described by natural or artificial marks, as to be easily distinguished from every other...” This proves that the Indian Removal Act had a negative impact on America because the Natives shouldn’t have been the ones to be forced out of a place where they were first. America should’ve taken matters into its own hands and tried to incorporate the Natives into the United States. Although they might’ve had their differences and battles, that doesn’t mean that they can’t resolve them and put them in the past. In this era of America, they seem very judgemental and held a lot of grudges instead of just trying to resolve the problem and they could’ve so easily with this. Also, many Indians and Natives died from either diseases, hunger, or dehydration. The government could’ve even made a profit off of the Natives by having them work for the country by bringing