1. Motivations for Westward Expansion Objective 4.01

2. Why move West? Claim land for settlement Claim land for settlement New markets for commerce New markets for commerce Provide homes for millions of Americans including immigrants Provide homes for millions of Americans including immigrants Locate harbors on the Pacific Locate harbors on the Pacific

3. Con’t Seek employment-avoid creditors-Spread the virtues of Democracy Seek employment-avoid creditors-Spread the virtues of Democracy Gold Rush Gold Rush

4. Frederick Jackson Turner American Historian American Historian Westward expansion most important factor in creating the American Westward expansion most important factor in creating the American

5. How did they get there? Transcontinental Railroads (Met at Promontory Point, Utah) Transcontinental Railroads (Met at Promontory Point, Utah) Two major companies: Union Pacific and Central Pacific Two major companies: Union Pacific and Central Pacific Workers on the railroads: Workers on the railroads: –Civil War Veterans –Irish and Chinese Immigrants –African Americans –Mexican Americans

6. Homestead Act of 1862 Settlers could claim land of up to 160 acres for a $10 fee Settlers could claim land of up to 160 acres for a $10 fee Gave legal recognition of a persons land in the Great Plains and more wanted to come Gave legal recognition of a persons land in the Great Plains and more wanted to come Wanted to relieve the dense population of immigrants in the east Wanted to relieve the dense population of immigrants in the east

7. Comstock Lode Henry Comstock staked a claim in Nevada in 1859 to find that the mud was almost pure silver ore Henry Comstock staked a claim in Nevada in 1859 to find that the mud was almost pure silver ore Prospectors flooded into the area—became a city of wealth Prospectors flooded into the area—became a city of wealth 1859-1878—yielded about $400 million in silver and gold 1859-1878—yielded about $400 million in silver and gold

8. Brought many advancements in mining technology Brought many advancements in mining technology Decline began in 1874 and by 1898 the town was a “ghost town” Decline began in 1874 and by 1898 the town was a “ghost town”

9. Virginia City, NV

10. Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 Most famous of all land runs Most famous of all land runs Federal govt. gave up land to homesteaders Federal govt. gave up land to homesteaders At noon on April 22 nd, TX and AK borders were lined with settlers At noon on April 22 nd, TX and AK borders were lined with settlers Hunt for land so fierce that some were killed Hunt for land so fierce that some were killed

13. People in the West—Roles of Women Had to be resourceful Had to be resourceful Job was to Job was to –Raise the children –Run the household—food & clothing –Establish schools and churches in some instances

15. Roles of African Americans West offered new homes, new beginnings, and new opportunities to enjoy freedom West offered new homes, new beginnings, and new opportunities to enjoy freedom Exodusters Exodusters “Black Towns” sprang up “Black Towns” sprang up

16. Worked as Worked as –Cattle drivers –Miners –Railroad workers –Farmers

17. Roles of Irish Mass immigration—1840s Mass immigration—1840s Met with resistance Met with resistance Many went west for the new opportunities Many went west for the new opportunities Did the hard jobs—building bridges and railroads Did the hard jobs—building bridges and railroads Built a reputation for being hard- working Built a reputation for being hard- working

18. Roles of Chinese Not welcomed! Not welcomed! Proved to be essential to growth through Proved to be essential to growth through –Railroads –Farming –Mining –Servants (mostly men) –Doctors (herbalists)