 In your notes, sketch what comes to mind when you think of the “American West.” Add in as many details as possible!

Today’s LEQ: How did push/pull factors lead settlers West? How did settlers travel and what conditions did they face?

 In 1780, 2.7 million people lived in the original 13 states  By 1830, 12 million people lived in 24 states  The average family had five children !!

 It was a combination of push and pull factors that caused many people to move westward by the mid 1800s.  Manifest Destiny…  Belief that Americans were destined to settle the continent from “sea to shining sea.”

 “THE MOTIVATION” – Factors that cause people to leave

 “THE INSPIRATION” – Factors that lead people to a particular area

 Overcrowding (you need a new place to live)  Need for jobs (displaced workers)  Persecution based on ethnicity and/or religion  Refuge for outlaws

 Land (cheap and plentiful – you want a new place to live)  Riches (gold, silver, and oil)  Freedom of religion/beliefs  Family Connections  Jobs and new opportunities  Adventure

 A time capsule is a historic cache of goods or information, usually intended as a method of communication with future people and to help future archaeologists, anthropologists or historians.  If you were to bury a time capsule in the middle of the football field dedicated to remembering AHS, what five items would you include?

 Imagine you have been stranded along with the Donner Party. You are not sure if you will survive but want to make sure someone learns of your family’s journey and struggles. Create a time capsule that summarizes your experience. Your time capsule should include at least five artifacts.  Role: Member of the Donner Party  Audience: Future people  Format: Time Capsule with at least five artifacts  Include a description for each artifact explaining what it is and why you included it.  Topic: The push/pull factors that led you West and your experience making the journey.

 Take out your class notes!  Think: Suppose the U.S. government wanted to start settling territory on the moon. To convince U.S. citizens to make the move, they offered 160 acres of “free” land on the moon. Would you take this opportunity? Why or why not?

 California’s gold rush of 1849 produced a population explosion in the West  Created need for better transportation and communication between East and West  People wanted a transcontinental railroad that would span the entire continent

 Connected the east coast with the west coast  Two companies were directed to construct the railway and telegraph lines:  Central Pacific Railroad Company: started in Sacramento, California and moved east  Union Pacific Railroad Company: started in Omaha, Nebraska and moved west

 Provided jobs  Immigrants, freed slaves, ex-soldiers, etc.  With the completion of the transcontinental railroad, towns sprang up along the routes  Served the transportation needs for industries like mining and lumbering  Much faster travel time cross country

 Pacific Railways Act  granted railroad companies10 square miles of land on either side of each track laid west

 Morrill Act  Passed on July 2, 1862 in the midst of the Civil War  encouraged the founding of agricultural colleges across the U.S. by providing land for campuses in all states loyal to the Union.  More than 70 land-grant colleges have been founded in the United States.  (Texas A&M, Oklahoma A&M etc..)

 Homestead Act  For approximately $10, settlers could have 160 acres of western land if they met certain criteria  Read for more details…

 Name & Background Info  What was your situation (family, job, etc.) and why did you move West?  Costs of Free Land  Think beyond price; what challenges did your individual face? What did they have to give up?  Benefits of Free Land  Gains made from moving West?  Record notes on the provided chart then interview four classmates.