The Westward Spirit

ASU HST 200 (Historical Themes) Westward Expansion, 1840-1900 The Westward Spirit Although a few pioneers had ventured westward prior to the middle of the 1800s, the United States had not thoroughly explored the territory beyond the Mississippi River. If Americans gave this region any regard at all, they saw it as a barren wilderness fit only for American Indians. Early explorers' observations from their scientific expeditions across the West tended to support this theory. The Great Plains were often regarded as an arid and useless region, suitable as nothing more than a "great American desert," according to Major Stephen Harriman Long, who led an expedition through Missouri and into the Yellowstone region in 1819–1820. However, starting in the 1840s, a combination of economic opportunity and ideological encouragement changed Americans' perceptions of the West. The federal government made it feasible for Americans to take on the task of regaining these rugged areas from their Native American and Hispanic proprietors by providing a variety of incentives. Even with government assistance, the genuinely impoverished were unable to undertake the voyage, thus the majority of Americans who traveled west required some kind of financial security before setting off. For most, the prospect of relocating a complete family to the west was unaffordable due to the associated expenses, hazards, and uncertain prospects of success. The economic Panic of 1837 caused many to doubt the potential of urban America and instead focus on the potential of commercial farming in the West, but it also left many without the means to commit to such a venture. The desire to "Go west, young man" remained unmet for the majority. Although economic factors played a major role in the westward expansion movement, there was also a more philosophical rationale. This rationale stemmed from the American belief that the nation and the Indigenous peoples living within it would eventually come under the civilizing influence of Euro-American settlers and their superior technological innovations, such as railroads and the telegraph. The physical and cultural conflicts that followed this western movement left a lasting mark on the nation, even though it is arguable to what degree those beliefs were a genuine drive for the majority of Americans or only a justification for the subsequent victories. The Westward Expansion, which took place between 1840 and 1900, personifies the opportunity, conquering, and spirit of adventure that define America. Before the middle of the 1800s, most Americans considered the enormous area east of the Mississippi River to be nothing more than a barren wasteland inhabited by Native American tribes, and they did not thoroughly investigate or pay much attention to it. The Great Plains were described by scientific expeditions of the time as parched and uninhabitable, leading to the nickname "great American desert" being given to the region by people like Major Stephen Harriman Long, who oversaw missions in the early 19th century. But the 1840s were a watershed because of the way that economic incentives and ideological zeal changed people's ideas of the West. By providing a range of incentives, the federal government played a crucial role in enabling Americans to establish claims and settle in these difficult areas. However, even with official assistance, traveling west remained difficult, especially for those from lower-class backgrounds. For the majority, financial stability was a must because moving was an intimidating idea due to the expenses, dangers, and unclear chances of success. A lot of people reevaluated the prospects of urban life and focused on the West's agricultural prospects as a result of the economic unrest caused by the Panic of 1837. Still, most people's goal of traveling west was out of reach. The idea of American exceptionalism served as the conceptual foundation for the westward expansion movement, independent of economic considerations. This belief maintained that the country will eventually "civilize" the native peoples of the West due to its superior technological capabilities and cultural impact. Railroads and the telegraph were two examples of innovations that were viewed as tools of development since they connected and modernized the frontier. These ideas encouraged violent and cultural confrontations that would have a long-lasting effect on the country, even as they justified westward migration. There were disputes and debates throughout the westward migration. After living on these grounds for years, Native American tribes were uprooted and marginalized, which resulted in violent conflicts and long-lasting damage on both sides. Furthermore, as the westward movement progressed, tensions over matters like states' rights and slavery increased, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War. The westward expansion, for all its complexity and contradictions, is still seen as a pivotal period in American history, representing the country's unwavering search for opportunity and advancement as well as its unrelenting pursuit of manifest destiny. We are constantly reminded of the long-lasting effects of westward migration on the identity and destiny of the United States by the cultural, economic, and political environment that this age has left behind.