Westward Expansion

Outside Information = (O.I.)

East West School of International Studies Raven Waters

United States History- Marinos   December 31, 2013

DBQ- Westward Expansion

The federal government promoted westward expansion during the 1800s, but there were many consequences to doing so. In order to expand the country, many actions had to be taken, such as the Homestead Act, the purchase of the Louisiana Territory and the Indian Removal Act. These actions may have expanded the country, but it also had many negative consequences. Over the course of a few years, our country’s borders grew, impacting the United States in both positive and negative ways.

As a way to promote westward expansion, the federal government created the Homestead Act. This act gave any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government, the right to claim 160 acres of surveyed government land. However, for “the next 5 years, the homesteader had to live on the land and improve it by building a 12-by-14 dwelling and growing crops,” in order to keep the land (Doc 6). This act meant that the people who met the specified requirements, would be able to buy the 160 acre plots of land, for a small fee if they cultivated and lived on the land. This promoted westward expansion, because it encouraged migration to the West from Eastern states. As a result, towns developed and due to the fact that people were able to obtain land in vast majority, farms were established, creating permanent roots for families (O.I.). The Homestead Act was a way for the federal government to promote westward expansion, for people were able to gain land at little cost, and in turn, develop the new frontier.

Another way for the government to expand the country, was to purchase the Louisiana Territory. In 1803, United States bought the 828, 00 square miles of land from France, despite the high degree of controversy it caused. Napleon Bonaparte had wanted to build an empire in North...