Western Expansion

Posted: January 5th, 2023

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Western Expansion

Western expansion that occurred in the 19th century was critical in determining the geographical distribution and economic activities in the United States. As documented in the various books and historical documents, multiple reasons explain the occurrence of the migration in the ascending order from the lower land pricing to the pioneering spirit. Several theoretical works have been documented to account for the specific reasons pioneering the various essential drivers. American Journey textbook demonstrates the rise of national confidence and pride during this period of western expansion through the country, as well as the development of solid sectional rivalry. The net impacts realized from this expansion are still being experienced in modern society, where the differences still exist between the various regions but are no longer sharp. In addition, there still exists mass communication and migration of individuals from one area to another hence lessening the differences. Thus, this scholarly paper will seek to analyze the various reasons behind the westward expansion during the mid-19^th century based on the documentation American Journey textbook chapter 13.

As documented in the American Journey textbook, industrialization was one of the driving forces to the western expansion in the United States. This is supported by the various companies which sprout up during the period. As they grew up, the companies began to form specialization of their production processes in the United States, hence the rise in the demand for the various social and infrastructural amenities such as transportation infrastructure. This force led to improved transportation services in the United States as the multiple goods needed to be transported to the different markets. The power led to more advancements in the rails, roads, and canals as individuals sought to achieve a steady flow of goods from one region to another. Various innovations were also noticed, as detailed in the modification of the canal builders to accommodate more steamboats. Different locomotives were also introduced to accommodate the increased production processes in the various companies.

The westward expansion was attributed to the price of land in the United States being insignificant compared to the population growth and the technological advancements. This is because the various functional industries in the United States had doubled their production lines and the production goals and objectives, which tremendously called for the increased labor for the enterprises. The landmass available for the production process was vast, and their prices were insignificant compared to the increased demand for workers in the industries. The various labor reforms especially following the justification of slavery which provided for the different labor needed in the various sectors. Increased demand for work led to the decrease in transportation during the Westward expansion to attract more investors and create a steady flow of goods from the production line to the consumer and availing of the labors and raw material. Besides, the various labor inputs from both the slaves and other cheap labor explain the significant driving force of the western expansion in the United States.

The land availability in the Eastern United states explains the forces behind the Westward expansion in the United States. This is because the land unutilized was vast hence formed a gap in which the various companies could invest and building up the different companies. Since the prices of the lands were cheaper during such a period, companies acquired various land properties within both the East and West of the United States. The acquisition of the land and the wage expenses were far from being compared to the company product sales’ vast profits. The various technologies and transportation infrastructure costs had simultaneously reduced hence blending with the expansion of the companies to the previously unsettled land.

The population growth in the United States was also among the forces responsible for westward expansion in the United States during the 19^th century. The development of industries was attributed to the increased availability of cheap labor, which was guaranteed from the various slave markets. However, the different company products are also needed for delivery to the ultimate market in order to provide the companies with the much-required returns in the form of profits to sustain their development and operations. The company product net profits were much generated from the sale of the company products. The company products were mainly sold out within the population surrounding the companies in the United States. The increase in the labor provided by the various companies also led to demand for residential areas within the community to which they were sent. The residential areas were much acquired by the different private developers who demanded security and privacy in the community. A high number of laborers were provided with the squatter areas in which they could access shelter. In order to accommodate the growing number of laborers, the companies retaliated by buying various vast tracts of land in the western United States. The diverse colossal population increased was also backed up by various other amenities such as improved transport infrastructure and technologies.

The technological growth and innovation in the United States championed the westward expansion during the 19t century. The various innovations in the United States in technology led to the decrease in transportation expenses, hence the induction of Western migration and the redistribution of the American population to the west. The various technologies applied in the land expansion also contributed to the Westward growth. This can be illustrated by the barbed down, which led to the reduction in the amount of time incurred to the building of an ordinary fence in the United States, which had experienced a shortage of laborers. Although this had an almost insignificant impact, it led to vast and fast accumulation of the massive land in the United States and essential for the westward expansion in the United States.

Ultimately, the westward expansion during the 19^th century in the United States was championed by various factors and forces. For instance, industrialization was the critical force in westward development where the further rise of industries and the vast availability of labor was the fueling powers. This led to improved infrastructures, which further led to westward expansion in the United States in the 19^th century. The availability of land and the low prices of land also acted as the fueling powers of the westward expansion as the community was able to acquire land for setting up the various structures needed in the society on the cheaply acquired land as detailed above. In addition, the vast population growth in the United States led to technological development and innovation; hence, further championing the westward expansion in the 19^th century as the population were too able to intergrade and make various modifications.