- Politics: The federal government’s policies in the 18th-19th century were centered around promoting western expansion through land redistribution and relocation of Native peoples. Most active implication of these government was under the presidencies of Andrew Jackson (who advocated the Indian Removal Act) and James K Polk (who was president during the Mexican-American War).
- Beliefs: Government policy was heavily influenced by the concept of Manifest Destiny, and the myth of the frontier, which anticipated great riches to be found westward as well as optimal farmland for less fortunate citizens. Sure enough the discovery of gold promoted strict obedience to these beliefs and the government continued to pave a way to the west by dividing indian lands to assimilate them into American society and uphold infrastructure projects to facilitate western expansion
- Global context: As the U.S. encountered various ethnicities from indigenous Native Americans, to the Mexicans in the West, they always fought or bought their way to land in the west i.e. the Mexican American War, Gadsen Purchase, Louisiana Purchase. Once manifest destiny was achieved the nation began to develop a homogenous “western” culture which has since diffused worldwide as a result of the government’s policies to expand westward.
- Identity: White Anglo-Americans encountered conflicts with American Indians as they expanded westward. The federal government supported the settlers' claims to Cherokee lands despite the Cherokee’s challenging the supreme court decision to relocate the Indians. After facing several wars against natives, Americans sought conflict with their Mexican neighbors in favor of expanding territory to the Pacific Ocean.
"Indian Land For Sale" Newspaper - Walter L. Fisher, Robert G. Valentine
H.) 1911 - The federal government put up 350,000 acres of Native American land for sale.
I.) People interested in buying and settling some of this land.
P.) A newspaper publisher (Walter L. Fisher, Robert G. Valentine) headlining the new government proposal.
P.) To inform the public.
I.) People interested in buying and settling some of this land.
P.) A newspaper publisher (Walter L. Fisher, Robert G. Valentine) headlining the new government proposal.
P.) To inform the public.
Homestead Act - Abrham Lincon
H.) 1862 - President Abraham Lincoln providing settlers 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small filing fee and were required to complete five years of continuous residence before receiving ownership of the land.
I.) People who were interested in settling west.
P.) The president drafting this bill for the citizens.
P.) Encourage western settlement for unity and manifest destiny.
I.) People who were interested in settling west.
P.) The president drafting this bill for the citizens.
P.) Encourage western settlement for unity and manifest destiny.
Letter from Governor Edmond Ross of New Mexico to President Grover Cleveland - Governor Edmond Ross
H.) 1886 - Letter Supporting Apache Removal to Eastern Reservations around the time of western civilization as well as a national prejudice towards indians.
I.) President Grover Cleveland.
P.) Governor Edmond Ross of New Mexico.
P.) To remove Apache to Eastern Reservations.
I.) President Grover Cleveland.
P.) Governor Edmond Ross of New Mexico.
P.) To remove Apache to Eastern Reservations.
- Thesis: To what extent did the role of government policy impact the growth of the West?
Growth of the Western United States can be largely attributed to the role of government policy in promoting western expansion through relocation of the native americans, funding large scale infrastructure projects, and offering cheap land to those willing to migrate.
Government policy to promote western expansion by providing land grants to willing migrants was effective in promoting growth in the West. In 1803 the United States purchased land west of the Mississippi river from France in the Louisiana Purchase. Additionally government programs such as the “40-acres and a mule” plan led to a large migration of freedmen to western lands. The Government’s pursuit of Manifest Destiny went as far as to engage in the Mexican-American War to annex Texas and eventually buy southern Arizona and New Mexico in the Gadsen purchase from Mexico for 15 million with the intent of establishing a railroad system to further expand West. Government motives heavily influenced western expansion by offering cheap land in the west to citizens.