5 Paragraph Essay on Westward Expansion

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In the United States, the Civil War ended, leading to massive sectional disputes throughout the Reconstruction era, before the golden age took over in the form of rapid industrialization. This included the expansion of industry, such as the construction of railways, and the enactment of Jim Crow legislation, such as poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests, during Reconstruction. Following that, the United States underwent a surge in industrialization, with the emergence of monopolies and trusts, a new social hierarchy, and the introduction of new work possibilities due to increasing labor demand, enabling mass migration to occur by the end of the nineteenth century. However, the involvement in expanding westward or westward expansion, the push of industrialization, and the increasing gap between the rich and poor due to Laissez-Faire capitalism, trusts, and monopolies, which enhanced the demand for jobs, all played a prominent part in reimagining American migration patterns from 1865 to 1898, all of which played a significant role in reimagining American migration patterns.

The desire to go westward was a frequent interest or ambition among late-nineteenth-century settlers. The Homestead Act, for example, facilitated migration from the federal government to the western states. Many individuals felt that there would be resources to dwell there and that capturing and occupying that region in the United States was a God-given mission. They also relocated to work in the cattle sector and build their business. Another example is the term ‘Manifest Destiny,’ which describes the United States’ determination to expand westward. Americans utilized Manifest Destiny to justify and rationalize their westward expansion across the United States. Due to the California gold rush of 1844 and the construction of transcontinental railroads, many people traveled west for mining and farming. The transcontinental railroad aided in the efficient conveyance of more products. This contributed to reshaping American migratory patterns to a large extent since westward development helped draw Americans and many others and change the US economy world in general.

While the goal of westward expansion is one aspect, the quick push of industry that transformed America during this period also affected migration trends from 1865 to 1898. During Reconstruction, for example, the new ‘South’ was developed with the notion that King Cotton had a detrimental influence on the Southern economy during the Civil War. As a result, the South needed more significant economic growth to match the North. Henry Grady is a well-known advocate for transforming the new South from an agricultural to a primarily industrialized civilization. To restore the South during rebuilding, Henry Grady suggested that the South create railways and industry. Another factor that accelerated industrialization was urbanization or the expansion of cities. Cities’ expansion resulted in the establishment of industries and businesses and the construction of larger structures such as skyscrapers.

Changes in transportation occurred due to urbanization, particularly the rise of railways originating with Cornelius Vanderbilt. This resulted in an influx of immigrants drawn to the United States by the push and pull dynamics. A push factor is the desire to flee Europe’s wars and poverty, while a pull factor is freedom and the hunt for work. This resulted in rapid industrialization in America, which reshaped American migratory patterns to a large extent.

Finally, from 1865 to 1898, an essential element that impacted migratory trends was the rising demand for and availability of employment in adjacent cities. As a result, thanks to laissez-faire capitalism and social Darwinism, the gap between the affluent and the poor has widened. During this period, laissez-faire capitalism resulted in monopolies, which created a need for workers. This resulted in an increase in employment, which led to migration. Labor conflicts between employees and employers would lead to the formation of labor unions. Labor unions are founded to go on strike and demonstrate equitable pay for all workers. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was one of the labor conflicts. During this strike, workers at a railroad went on strike at the same time against a wage reduction. Before Reconstruction, most of the economy was based on agriculture. However, creating occupations in cities provided employment prospects for thousands of people, enticing immigrants and resulting in a significant increase in American migration patterns across the country in the late nineteenth century.

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