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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper examines reasons for expansion. The railroads are discussed as is the policy that saw the displacement of Native Americans. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
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3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA821Wst.rtf
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very different. Yet, while it seems rather positive that there was westward expansion, there are negative aspects of the policies, such as the relocation of the Natives. Further, without the
advent of modern technology and the development of the railroad, the expansion would probably not have been very successful. In the end, one can say that there are many myths
about westward expansion, but the realities are quite dismal. The settlers met with difficult challenges, but they were also ruthless and narrowly focused. II. Why the Settlers Moved
West There were many reasons why people would move west, and one was due to the fact that land was easily acquired. In 1862, the Homestead Act
was passed which would see a free distribution of land in the west (Pence, 2008). It would allow anyone to obtain 160 acres of free land as long as the
owner builds a house on it, fences some of it, digs a well and lives on premises (Pence, 2008). There were other lures as well. The concept of manifest destiny,
and the advent of the California Gold rush, also helps to explain westward expansion. Manifest destiny was in part driven by the idea that the Anglo Americans were superior to
the Natives. They believed that they had the power, and the right, to take over land. With this attitude it would only be a matter of time until the Americans
on Eastern shores would end up looking for gold in California. While it seems to be a success, at least for the Natives, it should be noted that this
would not have been possible without the building of the railroads. Further, the railroad companies would make things difficult for those seeking land and so, the free ride was not
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