Migration West During The 1800's

Another 80 acres would go to each unmarried recipients. It was stipulated that the land could not be alienated for 25 years. Any Indian that received land automatically became citizens of the U.S. They were obligated to state, federal and local laws. All of the supporters of this act

1. Railroad expansion provided new avenues of migration into the American interior. 2. Congress passed the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862. It gave the state governments millions of acres of western lands, which the states could then sell to raise money for the creation of "land grant" colleges specializing in agriculture and mechanical arts.

Following the Civil War, westward migration increased rapidly; this was mainly due to acts such as the Homestead Act, which provided 160 acres of land for anyone who settled on it for a period of five years, the Morrill Act, and the Transcontinental Railroad, which ignited the transportation revolution. Nevertheless, life was difficult for farmers in the west, as they faced droughts, severe weather, and loneliness, leading many to leave their Western homesteads. However, often the greatest difficulty for farmers was competing with industrial farming, large corporations, and the global economy. As production increased and global prices decreased, many farmers fell into poverty, burned with debt they could not pay off due to deflation. As farmers

Migrants came to the Great Plains from all types of situations, such as the great potato famine of Ireland that caused many Irish to emigrate to the United States and primarily the Great Plains, where they could begin their lives again. The Homestead Act also provided a way for the immigrants to gain citizenship and own land in the Great Plains. The Homestead Act encouraged western migration by providing settlers 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small filing fee and were required to complete five years of continuous residence before receiving ownership of the land. This gave immigrants an easy route into citizenship; if they could maintain the land for five years they could become a citizen.

and they had came from various places around the country. They wanted to move west because they had heard it was a good opportunity for a better life and a opportunity to buy land. To travel to the west, they had to use their own money and make enough money to provide for their family. The way they

According to Jefferson expansion was the key to america's health as his vision was that a republic depends on “an independent, virtuous citizenry for its survival”. One example of westward expansion was the Alamo. During the conflict at the Alamo, the Texans were attempting to gain independence from Mexico. Another example of Westward expansion was The Oregon Trail. Americans were naturally curious about the land west of them after receiving letters from the emigrants describing “really great land”.

6. The Homestead Act was passed by Abraham Lincoln in 1862. It offered 160 acres of land to settle in the West to settlers; however, there was limited success due to the limited supply of arable land used for farming. Since most of the land was infertile, rocky, dry, and not agriculturally suited, many people competed for land that was near a water source to make farming possible. Many people did take the acres of land in response to land speculation and corruption but instead of living on it, they sold it for a higher cost to gain profit.

By the 1860’s more than half of the American population was located west of the Appalachian Mountains. This area was known as the Far West or as many nineteenth century Americans called it, “The Great West.” This migration of people was caused by the West’s connection to political, transportation, and financial progress. All three of these aspects were extremely important in American migration to the Great West and they helped shape the structure for America as it is today. The Political need for new classes caused by industrialism and abolition of slavery, the opening of jobs and new business involving financial situations and the boost of transportation that would expand almost everything.

Eric Foner places the Gilded Age as having lasted between 1870 and 1890 . The period was marked by rapid industrialization as the country sought to rebuild after the devastation of war. It was also characterized by various social, economic, and political changes as the state adjusted itself to fit the realities of the modern world. The Civil War had resulted in the abolition of slavery, and there was an influx of immigrants into the country who saw it as a chance to gain a better life . There were many divisions as to what direction the country was headed.

Life for the Native Americans was much harder during and after the western expansion. For example, the US took land from the Indians leading the formation of reservations, White men almost hunted the Buffalo , an important food source for the Indians, to extinction, and forced the Indians to get rid of their culture. Because of the western expansion, the area of land the Indians could occupy decreased significantly. The government would make treaties with the Indians allowing them to keep a certain area of land, but this would soon be broken ; When the Pacific Railroad Act was passed it stated that wherever a track was laid the company would own any land 200 ft surrounding the track including Indian land ; the Government would make sure that

The U.S had gained a lot of land, or frontiers in the West from Mexico. The land was undeveloped, therefore the U.S had to find a way to develop the land. The U.S would come up with the Homestead Act. The Homestead Acts states that any citizen or anyone planning to become a citizen is eligible to gain 160 acres of land, typically to form farms. The plan was intended to make the people stay in that land and create a

During the mid 1800s America was in its prime, during the American Industrial Revolution. During the revolution, immigrants from many foreign nations began piling on ships and setting sail for America to start a new life. America was the place to be at the time and it was the land of opportunity for many. And after Lewis and Clark’s exploration came to a close, people heard of all of the prominent land and opportunity. And as word got out, people wanted in on this newly seen westward territory.

The investment needed to purchase these large pieces of land was a daunting undertaking; it was an undertaking a newly freed African American worker or small farmer could never hope to accomplish. By 1880, the minimum parcel one could buy was 320 acres, and though they could pay in installments it was not a realistic possibility for many. The Homestead Act was a federal law announcing that an applicant could own 160 acres of land free of charge for the next five years, with the only stipulation being he or she must live on land improve the land and build a home. After five years, the homesteader could file for a title by submitting proof of residency and required improvements to a local land

The Great Migration occurred between 1915 and the year 1970, and it involved the migration of over 6 million African Americans from South cities to the North of the country. The Great Migration resulted into what can be described as a shift in massive demographic shifts across the United States. It is, in fact, important to understand that indeed between the year 1910 and the year 1930, cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, New York and Detroit experienced growth populations by about 40% (Lakova 28). Further, it is critical to understand that the number of African-Americans that were employed in industries doubled. Black Americans were trying to escape racism and Jim Crow laws that existed in the South.

There are many reasons why easterners moved westward. One reason, based on Document two, is because of the great gold discoveries in California. In 1859 two young prospectors found gold in the Sierra Nevada and the word spread to the East. Many miners went to the West to “strike it rich” and the Gold Rush begun. Another reason why people went West is because they heard of the Homestead Act.