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United States Role In Westward Expansion

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The United States government played a major part in Westward expansion. From building railroads to relocating Native Americans to reservations, the U.S. realized how big the West was both financially and politically. They found many ways to encourage citizens to settle in the west. They sold cheap land, borrowed money to support the railroads, cleared up hundreds of acres of good, fertile land (by taking it from the Native Americans). In this essay, we will be discussing the roles of the U.S. government in Westward expansion. One of the main roles the government played in Westward expansion was railroad building. The government knew that there would be major political and financial impacts of Westward expansion. Soon after the railroad showed its importance, many realized that the railroad would be the path west, and the tool to gain wealth from farms, factories, and fields. in 1862 Abraham Lincoln (who was President at the time) signed the Pacific Railroad Act, which authorized the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. However, since the U.S. was in the middle of war, they had to rely on gifts of land and …show more content…

People such as Charles Nordhoff, who wrote a book for travelers and settlers in the 1870s helped to spread these beliefs. He talks about the wonderful soil and climate in the west, which, according to him, can grow many different types of crops. he also discusses that as soon as the railroads claim their grants, settlers will be able to buy good, cheap land from the government for very cheap. Another example of governments offering good, cheap land is in an ad for land in Coffeyville, Kansas. The ad states that previous Native American land was for sale, and there was over fourteen million acres of land for sale. Sadly, that left very little space for the Native Americans, which brings us to the next

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