Table of Contents
What 2 things brought settlers out West?
Land, mining, and improved transportation by rail brought settlers to the American West during the Gilded Age.
What were two causes of westward movement expansion?
Westward expansion, the 19th-century movement of settlers into the American West, began with the Louisiana Purchase and was fueled by the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail and a belief in “manifest destiny.”
Who settled the West first?
The first white Americans to move west were the mountain men, who went to the Rockies to hunt beaver, bear and elk in the 1820s and 1830s. Then, in 1841, a wagon train pioneered the 3,200km-long Oregon Trail to the woodland areas of the north-west coast of America.
How many trails were there to the West?
These brave pioneers journeyed west for about five to six months along overland trails such as the California Trail, Gila River Trail, Mormon Trail, Old Spanish Trail, Oregon Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail for many different reasons.
What did immigrants do in New York City?
Immigrants made up a significant portion of the massive workforce, which drew recent immigrants to the many booming towns north and west of New York City. Many who arrived between 1817 and 1825 helped build the Erie Canal itself, as well as its many subsequent extensions and tributaries.
How did immigrants come to the United States?
Although immigrants often settled near ports of entry, a large number did find their way inland. Many states, especially those with sparse populations, actively sought to attract immigrants by offering jobs or land for farming.
What was the impact of immigration on the United States?
While large-scale immigration created many social tensions, it also produced a new vitality in the cities and states in which the immigrants settled. The newcomers helped transform American society and culture, demonstrating that diversity, as well as unity, is a source of national strength.
Why did the Germans come to the United States?
Most German immigrants came for economic reasons. The United States seemed to offer greater economic opportunity and freedom from government regulation. While most Irish immigrants were Catholics, German immigrant groups included Catholics, Jews, and Protestants. German immigrants were more likely to become farmers and live in rural areas.