Effects of the Westward Expansion of the Colonies of the United States - Essay Example

Effects of the Westward Expansion of the Colonies of the United s The expedition to the west was politically organized when the US Army Corps sent forces to explore the west in 1838 (Katzman 328). They gradually built relations with the Indians who were the main dwellers in these lands till the date. The presence of the army helped the settlers to migrate overland by protecting them from the assault of the Indians while the Federal government held several lands in control for distribution. The farmers pleaded for preemption such that they could cultivate the land and later buy it at a low price.

Gradually the Americans moved far into the west in search of fertile lands irrespective of being converts to Christianity or having religious freedom. They even began trading with the Indians, which led to several treaties with them. Inspite of these peace treaties war continued as the Indians hardly assumed to be bounded to treaties and the US government was loyal to its duty of protecting the movement towards the west. In 1848 San Francisco was a small region, which grew into a big city based on rapid commercialization, and industrialization while the mining industry became popularized.

The move towards the west was initiated owing to a search for new and better opportunities in terms of land for farming and jobs to survive. The Midwest became the attractive zone for the settlers and the industrial revolution encouraged commercialization. The proprietors of the lands began to promote their commodities by proving adequate connectivity with the east. As the forest areas became reduced in the east during 1849 the lumber industry moved westwards to Michigan and Minnesota. This would ensure they were not moving away from civilization.

Again, the professions gradually shifted from farming to other activities like lumbering and mining. Industrial revolution brought about machineries, which saved labor, and farming became smoother. Moreover a processing system was set (Katzman 323). The cities of Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland held the key to the economy of the west. The pigs were converted into packaged meat while grains were turned into flour. This was also the time for the fur trade to decline essentially because silk became popularized, the beavers were falling short in numbers owing to over hunting and the fur induced diseases in men.

Since the political framework would shift with people moving westwards the Whigs and Democrats tried to keep their hand out of the issue of slavery. While Democrats favored the expansion owing to more favorable grounds for the society, the Whigs were suspicious of the movement and insisted for more commercialization within the present territories of the nation. . Texas gained freedom from Mexico and California also became a republic but the practice of slavery now shifted westwards between 1820 and 1860.

Here the Indians found their regular livelihood challenged and in conflict with other racially inferior groups like the Mexicans. Overall the efforts of the government and the military assisted by the wings of industrial revolution help in mass transportation of Americans to the west. In the late eighteenth century there were a few hundred of white settlers in the Northwest while late by 1860 around 7 million of them settled here (Katzman 320). Population in cities like Ohio and Michigan multiplied rapidly.

Work Cited Katzman, David, A People and A Nation, Cengage