Westward Expansion 1840-1900 - Introduction

ASU HST 200 (Historical Themes) Westward Expansion, 1840-1900 Introduction Farmers in the Pennsylvanian region known as the "Old West," who had long held the view that the region west of the Mississippi was a vast desert unsuitable for human habitation, started to learn about the prospects that could be found in the newly formed "New West" in the middle of the nineteenth century. However, the government was now pushing them to follow the migration path westward to this uncharted territory. Americans felt more and more driven to accomplish their "Manifest Destiny," which meant that they had to colonize the country that God had given them and, above all, bring American principles to the frontier, for a number of reasons. Following the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Trails, hundreds, then eventually thousands of settlers loaded up in wagons and ventured out to the West in search of a better life. Despite the presence of Native American settlements in the area, they envisioned wide spaces, economic opportunities, and more freedom to realize the democratic ideal first advanced by Thomas Jefferson. The massive migration was under way, for whatever reason. The pioneer spirit of America began to emerge. In the middle of the nineteenth century, farmers in the Pennsylvanian region known as the "Old West" found themselves at a crossroads. They had believed for years that the enormous region west of the Mississippi River was uninhabitable desert and hence unsuited for human habitation. Their views, though, started to change when they discovered the prospects that awaited them in the recently called "New West." This shift was prompted by the government's unrelenting push for westward expansion in addition to their own aspirations. During this period, the idea of "Manifest Destiny" swept through the American mind with ever-increasing enthusiasm. It was the conviction that the United States' expansion across the continent was part of its divine destiny. Many Americans felt compelled to colonize the country they felt God had given them, and this belief was firmly anchored in religious and patriotic feelings. Furthermore, there was a great desire to introduce American ideals and beliefs to the wild frontier. Growing support for the notion of "Manifest Destiny" spurred a surge of westward migration. Driven by the prospect of a brighter future, settlers started to respond to the call of the frontier from all areas of life. They loaded their wagons, packed up their possessions, and set out on the difficult trek down the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon Trails. These paths were the entrance to new prospects and freedoms that waited beyond the horizon, despite their difficulties and risks. Even though there were Native American communities in the West, the pioneers saw unbounded stretches that would yield both economic opportunity and individual freedom. For them and their families, the frontier represented a blank canvas on which they might create a better future. For several individuals, the attraction of the West was not just attributed to its abundant natural riches, but also to the chance to exemplify the democratic principles supported by leaders such as Thomas Jefferson. A watershed in American history was the westward migration in large numbers. It was evidence of the nation's pioneering spirit, which inspired its citizens to travel into uncharted territory in search of their aspirations. The frontier attracted explorers, businesspeople, and dreamers alike because it came to represent possibility and optimism. The pioneers were driven by hope and a will to forge a new future for themselves and their nation, despite the dangers and uncertainties that lied ahead. They saw limitless opportunities as well as obstacles in the vastness of the American West. It was a place full with undiscovered resources and unrealized potential that awaited discovery and exploitation. The border stood for a new beginning, unencumbered by the traditions and limitations of the East. It was a place where people could start again and choose their own path in life. The pioneers made a lasting impression on the terrain and the national mentality as they traveled more into the heart of the West. Their tales of adversity and success were incorporated into American mythology, influencing future generations' perceptions of the nation. The nation moved ever closer to its manifest destiny as a result of the spirit of westward expansion, which symbolized the restless energy and unwavering optimism that characterized the American experience.