Education

Westward Expansion & ECONOMIC Development [APUSH Review]

by Heimler's History

📚 Main Topics

Causes of Westward Migration
- Government land grants (Homestead Acts of 1862)
- Construction of transcontinental railroads
- Expansion of communication technology (telegraph)
Challenges Faced by Migrants
- Difficulties in farming the Great Plains
- Bankruptcy of many independent farmers
- Strategies for success (dry farming and hard kernel wheat)
Commercialization of Agriculture and Ranching
- Shift from independent farming to corporate agriculture
- Impact of railroads on agricultural consolidation
- Decline of small farmers due to corporate pressures
Farmers' Response to Economic Hardship
- Formation of the Grange movement
- Establishment of the Colored Farmers Alliance
Effects of Westward Migration
- Economic growth and integration into the national economy
- Creation of boom towns (e.g., Virginia City)
- Establishment of immigrant communities, particularly Chinese immigrants

✨ Key Takeaways

Government IncentivesThe Homestead Acts provided free land to encourage westward migration, leading to a significant influx of settlers.
Infrastructure DevelopmentThe construction of railroads and telegraphs facilitated faster travel and communication, further promoting migration.
Economic ChallengesMany settlers faced harsh realities in farming, leading to widespread bankruptcy and the rise of large agricultural corporations.
Organized ResistanceFarmers organized to combat corporate exploitation, leading to significant political movements and legal victories.
Cultural ImpactThe migration led to the establishment of new communities, including immigrant enclaves, which contributed to the cultural diversity of the American West.

🧠 Lessons

Interconnectedness of Economic SystemsThe westward expansion was not just about land but also about integrating various economic systems across the country.
Impact of TechnologyAdvances in transportation and communication were crucial in shaping migration patterns and economic opportunities.
Social DynamicsThe struggles of farmers and immigrants highlight the complexities of American society during this period, including issues of race and class.
Adaptation and ResilienceThe ability of communities to adapt to economic pressures and form alliances demonstrates the resilience of individuals in the face of adversity.

This unit illustrates the multifaceted nature of westward expansion and its lasting impact on American society and economy.

Transcript excerpt

0:00 Well, all right. Welcome to unit 6. And you didn't think we weren't going to keep talking about westward expansion in this unit, did you? Don't be crazy. No, that development continued right on into this new time period. So, I'm going to keep flapping my mouth hole about it. So, if you're ready to get them brain cows milked, let's get to it. Okay. So, let's start by talking about the causes of westward migration and our brand spanking new time period for this unit, namely 1865 to 1898. And it's going to be helpful for you to remember that westward migration has connections throughout all the prior units that we've covered in this fair course. Most relevant here is the market revolution that you learned in unit 4 and then

0:31 let's be honest slipped right out of your brain through your ear hole and settled upon that pile of forgotten detritus that resides on your shoulder. So let me remind you that the market revolution was the big movement that knit together the various regions of the United States into an interdependent economic hole. And a big part of that was Americans migrating westward on account of the lure of cheaper land. And furthermore, when all that westward movement and more productive agricultural output contributed to the growth of the US economy, that had a way of reinforcing the idea of manifest destiny. So, all that to say, the causes of westward migration in this unit are

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