Westward Expansion Research Paper

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The westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century is often assumed as just a period of progress, perhaps an opportunity. Well to the white settlers they called it,”Manifest Destiny.” However, a closer look at these events that have unfolded during this time reveals that in reality, injustice, cruelty, and devastation was inflicted upon the Native American communities. This essay argues that the westward expansion was in fact not justified, as it resulted in the invasion, violation, and displacement of Native Americans from their land, leading to the disruption of their ecosystems, the spread of diseases, and promises that weren’t upheld of fair compensation.

The treatment of many Native Americans during the westward expansion, as stated in “Manifest Destiny: The Idea Behind America’s Westward Expansion,” Many Native American nations and Hispanic landowners were treated brutally, driven from their lands by white settlers backed by U.S. soldiers.” This removal and mistreatment of the natives shows a sheer disregard for their rights and overall well-being. Furthermore, conflicts such as …show more content…
In “Trails, Treaties, and Tumult in Washington and Oregon, 1830s to 1860s.” it is revealed that immigrant farming, and livestock, decimated wild plants that were essential food sources for Native American tribes.” This disruption of the ecosystem led to food scarcity, famine, and the fall of many indigenous societies. Additionally, the disregard for the property rights of indigenous lands was exploited by the native people, which is further explained in “Juan Cortina's Proclamation to the Mexicans of Texas.” The account of homes being robbed, burned, and their land stolen from them without remorse. Both indirect, and direct disruption of the way the indigenous people’s lives are affected by the endangered Native American

Westward Expansion Research Paper

of 1803, westward expansion has been a continuity in American history until the US census of 1890, which announced that the frontier no longer existed. In forty-five years, the organized United States doubled in size, from the Louisiana Territory to the west coast. Westward expansion to the Pacific Coast wouldn’t have been as efficient, or perhaps not possible, without several key factors. This research paper will discuss such factors. The major influences of a continuous westward expansion of America…

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Westward Expansion Research Paper

Movement impacts people, places, and ideas in multiple, significant ways. The Westward Expansion of the United States is a prime example of the consequences that movement has on people, places, and ideas. The birth of the Texas Republic was spurred by the migration of American settlers. Bleeding Kansas was caused by the mass migration of pro and anti-slavery settlers, who then clashed in a guerilla war. The California Gold Rush, which was fueled by rapid migration, left a long-lasting impact on the…

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Westward Expansion Research Paper

When one hears the word ‘movement’ most think about minor actions like dancing or running, however the movement of the Westward Expansion was much more than that. The movement towards the West affected people, places and encouraged biased opinions on many people. Despite what most Americans think, the westward expansion wasn’t just the beginning of the USA, it was also the end of many other nations, annihilating innumerable generations of Native Americans and making slaves of African Americans and…

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Westward Expansion Research Paper

Westward expansion is something that was vital to the formation of the United States. At the time, the belief of many was that is was the “will of God.” Others believed it was the simple right of Americans to push westward. Today, it is still questioned by historians as to whether or not it was the right decision. If it was the right decision, could it have been done differently? The expansion into the west was a controversial topic due to the push and pull factors, new technologies, and the conflicts…

Words 594 - Pages 3

Westward Expansion Research Paper

Movement impacts people, places, and ideas in multiple, significant ways. The Westward Expansion of the United States is a prime example of the consequences that movement has on people, places, and ideas. The birth of the Texas Republic was spurred by the migration of American settlers. Bleeding Kansas was caused by the mass migration of pro and anti-slavery settlers, who then clashed in a guerilla war. The California Gold Rush, which was fueled by rapid migration, left a long-lasting impact on the…

Words 843 - Pages 4

Kit Carson Essay

| Dean Kuhlman | Research Paper HI-315VC | | | | | | | Kit Carson is best known for his role in the expansion of the West as a trapper, explorer, scout and American soldier. Carson not only spent time carving the path to the west, he defended it in battle as an officer in the U.S. Army. One of the most famous mountain men of the Westward movement, Carson has had several landmarks, cities, and areas named after him. Among these are Carson, Colorado, Carson City, Nevada…

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Native American Cultural Assimilation Essay

America could not have survived without their assistance, it was not long before the Native Americans were viewed as a problem population. They were an obstacle to the expansion plans of the colonial government and the same to the newly formed United States. The Native Americans were dealt with in various ways. During expansion some were outright exterminated through war while others forcibly made to relocate to lands deemed less than ideal. The idea was to make them vanish – out of sight, out…

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United States and Essential Questions Essay

Madaras, Larry. Taking Sides (15th Edition) Volume 1 and Volume 2 Chang, Iris .The Chinese in America (2003) Penguin Books, USA Loewen, James. Lies My Teacher Told Me New York, New York Various Others Readings UNIT 1: SETTLEMENT AND EXPANSION OF COLONIAL AMERICA [CR2] Texts and other materials utilized: Connecting with the Past Chapters 1-3, Taking Sides Unit 1, and A People’s History of the United States, Chapters 1-3. Lies My teacher Told Me Chapter 1-4 [CR1b] Themes: ID,…

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Cebollada 1 Javier Cebollada Desentre Professor Mónica Calvo Literatura Norteamericana III June 13, 2014 The falling off The Great Gatsby’s American Dream One of the most notable elements in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is the conception of the American Dream; a well-known term whose appearance is very present throughout the story. Despite being a non-mentioned term in the novel itself, the author still conveys the idea of the American Dream through the employment of a brilliant sociological…

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Gatsby American Dream

Cebollada 1 Javier Cebollada Desentre Professor Mónica Calvo Literatura Norteamericana III June 13, 2014 The falling off The Great Gatsby’s American Dream One of the most notable elements in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is the conception of the American Dream; a well-known term whose appearance is very present throughout the story. Despite being a non-mentioned term in the novel itself, the author still conveys the idea of the American Dream through the employment of a brilliant sociological…

Words 1530 - Pages 7