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Westward Expansion And Industrialization During The Gilded Age

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America faced a lot of change and transformation during the 19th, also known as the Gilded Age. America was heavily influenced socially, economically, politically, and culturally by westward expansion and industrialization. Many people expanded west of the Mississippi River because of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 (Westward Expansion: Encounters at a Cultural Crossroads). The United States brought the state of Louisiana from France for $15 million (Milestones: 1801-1829). Industrialization ties into westward expansion in a way. America had shifted from an agricultural society to an industrial society (Gilded Age - 19th Century). Essentially, industrialization during the Gilded Age had its roots in the Civil War (SparkNotes). This had urged …show more content…

The transcontinental railroad was constructed between the years of 1863 and 1869 (Terrell). It was also the first continuous railroad line across the United States that connected the eastern states to the western states (Transcontinental Railroad). The transcontinental railroad benefited three things: travel, trade, and communication (History.com Editors). The West would send crops and raw materials to the East on the railroad (Kiger). In return, the East sent manufactured goods to the West (Kiger). The railroad construction encouraged the government to provide loans, even land grants as well (Beech 2/23). The transcontinental railroad was of extreme significance to America because it increased and benefited the travel, trade, and communication, which was a start in leading the country to advancement. John Gast, a famous painter and lithographer painted a picture titled Spirit of the Frontier, also known as American Progress (Sandweiss). This painting shows the progress of having people travel from the east to the west, and the progress of America as a whole (American Progress). The railroad in the painting portrays the connection between the East and West coast

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Western Expansion In The Mid-1800s

189 Words | 1 Pages

The course text states that in the mid-1800s many people in the United States felt a sense of uniqueness about the United States that helped drive westward expansion. As the course text elaborates, “rooted in Puritan utopianism and revolutionary republicanism, this sense of uniqueness and mission also stemmed from the rapid growth and progress of the early nineteenth century” (365). With this in mind, looking back over the course, explain how each of the following elements of United States history influenced attitudes on western expansion in the mid-1800s: Puritan utopianism, revolutionary republicanism, and mid-1800s’ economic growth. Be clear and specific in connecting each of these elements to westward expansion in the mid-1800s. Then, explain

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How Did Railroad Influence The Development Of Western Expansion

659 Words | 3 Pages

There was a significant increase in population and migration in the West with the frontier settlement. Not only this but there was also a desire for more revenue for their families to be able to eat, and to also buy land. Railroads also had a huge influence in the United States development; it helped to connect the Central and Eastern part of United States to the West. With the Congressional appropriation of funds, many corporations agreed to build the railroad for the right of land in the West.

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How Did The Transcontinental Railroad Affect Native Americans

1176 Words | 5 Pages

It began the task of constructing a transcontinental railroad that would link the United States from the East Coast to the West Coast. "In the meantime, construction of several important railroads is being carried forward with energy. " People would not have to travel months in long wagon trains on a trip to the west. The transcontinental railroad was a significant development and it improved transportation, people could travel in a faster, safer, and cheaper way by train. Mail, supplies, trade goods, and other additional things could be shipped across the country and arrive in just a few days.

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How Did The Transcontinental Railroad Affect Society

502 Words | 3 Pages

The Transcontinental Railroad greatly impacted America. It connected the East to the West and made the world seem much smaller. This success gave way for more railroads to be made, multiple withing the span of just years! The acts and treaties along the way helped improve the land as this move Westward was taking place. People were also gaining more abstract feelings of hope and optimism.

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Transcontinental Railroad Research Paper Outline

1080 Words | 5 Pages

Transcontinental Railroad Tera Richardson, 4336787 History 102 B008 Sum 17 Professor Traci Sumner American Military University July 22, 2017 Abstract The transcontinental railroad was one of the biggest advocates for the industrial economy and westward expansion. The railroads could transfer goods and people across the country with ease, and quickly. While some bad came from this miraculous progression, such as the panic of 1873 and a yellow fever epidemic, the good outweighed the bad as it enabled the United States to fulfill its Manifest Destiny through westward expansion.

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The Spread Of Westward Expansion During 1860-1890

1122 Words | 5 Pages

The United States is always in an ever changing state. This is especially true during the westward expansion that followed the Civil War and the ever expanding American Industrial Revolution. There are three major events that occurred in the late 19th century that set the precedence for the westward expansion of America. With American still in a new born state, there was many great accomplishments and many failures. I am going to breakdown the westward expansion during 1860-1890 after analyzing the Westward Expansion map from PBS Learning Media website, to assess how the westward expansion moved between the 1860’s and 1890’s (Westward Expansion, 1860-1890, n.d.).

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Westward Expansion Research Paper

1233 Words | 5 Pages

After the Civil War, the United States began to expand Westward. Much of this expansion was due to the transportation revolution. Railroads were spreading; roads, canals, and steamboats were improving. Allowing for more ways to travel West. As the country entered the Industrial Revolution, not only were people migrating within the country but immigrants began to emigrate to America.

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Positive Impact Of Westward Expansion 1800s

1011 Words | 5 Pages

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.

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What Are The Key Events Of Westward Expansion During The Nineteenth Century

3912 Words | 16 Pages

A. Describe American Westward expansion during the nineteenth century and analyze two key features of this process in relation to questions of American national identity. Introduction The history of the United States is a history of westward expansion. In the early 19th century, the United States purchased the rights to landmasses west of the inhabited East coast of America. This is known as the Louisiana Purchase, and was arguably the event that set of the century of exploration, settlements and war, known as the Westward Expansion.

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The Reconstruction, Jim Crow Era, And The Gilded Age

494 Words | 2 Pages

The United States experienced a period of tremendous development between 1865 and 1900, marked by great advances in science and culture, rapid industrialization, westward expansion, and social unrest. Known by many as the Reconstruction, and Jim Crow Era, and the Gilded Age, this period saw the country change from a predominately agricultural civilization to a global industrial superpower. During this time, several significant ideas, ideologies, and beliefs evolved that influenced the course of American politics and culture. The industrialization and urbanization of the late 19th century were one of the most significant themes. Railroads expanded, cities grew, and major businesses emerged as a result of the Second Industrial Revolution's profound

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Political And Economic Causes Of The Westward Expansion Essay

1417 Words | 6 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

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Westward Expansion Essay

703 Words | 3 Pages

The Westward Expansion all started when America made the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. There were many benefits from the purchase for the US that the French didn’t realize before they sold it. The purchase gave the US access to the Mississippi river which allowed for expansion of river trade to the North and South from the center of the US. The port city of New Orleans was bought by the US and its prosperity benefited the US greatly. The US sent Lewis and Clark west to investigate the land they purchased.

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Transportation In The 1800s Essay

558 Words | 3 Pages

The building of roads, canals and railroads played a large role in the United States during the 1800s. They served the purpose of connecting towns and settlements so that goods could be transported quickly and more efficiently. These goods could be transported fast, cheap and in safe way through the Erie Canal that was built to connect the Great Lakes to New York. Railroads were important during Civil War as well, because it helped in the transportation of goods, supplies and weapons when necessary. These new forms of transportation shaped the United States into the place that it is today.

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Westward Expansion Movement In The United States

719 Words | 3 Pages

history because a link from the Western part of the United States to the Eastern part of the United States had finally been established. Commercial trains from the East could now transport people to the West and vice versa. This provided for easier transport of humans and commercial goods as well. There was only one problem, the price of each train ticket. Not only did the journey take months to travel from the East to the West by train, but the cost of a ticket was outrageous for most people residing in the U.S. at the time.

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Westward Expansion Essay

1508 Words | 7 Pages

Accompanying the turn into the 19th century was a significant need for expansion across the North American continent. Some of the largest migrations in U.S history spanned the period starting in the early 1800s and ending with the eventual closure of the American frontier in the early 1890s (National Geographic). There are a variety of reasons why people expanded westward, however the most influential and impactful ones to people of the time were: starting a new life and finding a home, acquiring wealth quickly, and because of the influence of beliefs such as Manifest Destiny. One of the major and most common reasons for why people expanded westward was to start a new life and find a home.

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