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Mining
Mining was very important, especially since it led to the famous California Gold Rush. Many traveled in wagons and horseback in search of silver, gold, and mineral deposits. Locations such as Boise, Idaho and Denver, Colorado were places that settlers stopped and rested during their journey. Burrows, JC. Digital image. DailyMail.com. Associated Newspapers Ltd, n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
American Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution ignited westward expansion because farmers could switch from manual labor to machine labor. With the aid of plows, reapers, and brushers, farming became more accessible to settlers. Early 20th-century Image of a Tractor Ploughing an Alfalfa Field. Digital image. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase took place when Napoleon Bonaparte (Frenchman) sold Thomas Jefferson the Louisiana Territory for $15 million dollars. Bonaparte used the money to continue the fight between Great Britain and France. Louisiana Purchase. Digital image. SHEEP. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis, his personal secretary, and William Clark, an army officer, to lead an exploration across the unknown territory. Lewis and Clark were required to record and map the geography, plants, and animals they came across during their journey. Lewis and Clark Expedition. Digital image. Traditional Tanners. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush attracted thousands of people searching for their chance to get rich. It all began on January 24, 1848, when James Wilson Marshall found specks of gold in the American River. Gold was very valuable. People from all over the world traveled to Western America, California specifically, with dreams to “strike it rich.” The California Gold Rush Stamp. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
Concentration Policy
The Concentration Policy benefited the European-American community because the policy “would provide white settlers with the productive lands and relocate Indians to areas north and south of white settlements.” Unfortunately, the Indians were driven out of their native lands and forced to start new in a place that is “foreign.” Portrait Describing One of the Many Battles Fought during the Sioux Wars. Digital image. Dakota Bush US History. Blogger, n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act enabled anyone who was an American citizen (or future citizens), over 21 years old, and was the head of the family to obtain a land claim. If the person received the land, they would have to work to improve the property for five years before they could have ownership. Millions of Acres. Iowa and Nebraska, Land for Sale. Digital image. Everyday Americans Exceptional Americans. Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media, n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
Cattle Drives & Ranching
Cattle drives and ranching became popular around 1866. The West offered acres of land to raise cattle. Cattle represent wealth because of the meat, hides and fur, and the animal. A calf could cost between five and sixty dollars! Leonard, Dwayne. Herding Cattle at Hunewill Guest Ranch. Digital image. Equitrekking. DCN Creative, LLC, n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
Western Indian Wars
The effect of the American Indian Wars played a more important role than the actual battles. The Indians fought against the European-Americans in order to keep their native lands. Unfortunately, many Indians died, therefore, there were fewer Indians to continue fighting. Any Indian survivors were emotionally affected and were not mentally or physically prepared to fight again. American-Indian Wars. Digital image. History.com. A+E Networks, 2010. Web. 6 Aug. 2016. -
Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad was very important in the Westward expansion. A railroad system enabled people and goods to be transported for a less expensive price. Since the cost of shipping was low, larger quantities could be shipped. In relation to expansion, the Transcontinental Railroad provided transportation to the foreigners who flocked to California for the gold rush. Rail Work in the 1860's Was Hand Work. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Aug. 2016.
