Key notes

• Manifest Destiny is the idea that the US has a divine right to expand westward, pushing back the Indian Frontier
• From the belief of Manifest Destiny, White Settlers migrated west, which lead to new states being found, discovery of gold, and the Homestead Act.
• Importance of the expansion of the railroads for settlement in the West

  • Provided faster and more efficient transportation across long distances
  • Turned a 6 month wagon journey to a 6 day train journey
  • Made remote areas in the West more accessible to settlers and goods
  • Facilitated trade and boosted the economy by connecting resource-rich areas to markets
  • Encouraged settlement by offering affordable transportation for people and supplies
  • Improved communication networks by linking distant communities and facilitating the exchange of ideas and goods
  • Enhanced access to international markets by connecting Western ports to inland areas, facilitating global trade
• The importance of gold prospecting for conflict with the Plains Indians.

  • Gold Rush
  • Discovery of gold in Plains Indian territories attracted settlers (mass migration).
  • Prospectors flooded into Indian lands, disrupting their traditional way of life.
  • Conflict Over Land:
  • Plains Indians relied on the land for hunting and resources.
  • Settlers' mining activities encroached on Indian territories, leading to tensions.
• The importance of gold prospecting for conflict with the Plains Indians. pt2

  • Resource Competition:
  • Gold prospecting competed with Indians for access to water sources.
  • Indians faced displacement and scarcity of resources due to mining activities.
  • Violent Encounters:
  • Disputes over land and resources escalated into violent clashes.
  • Government and military intervention often favored settlers, exacerbating tensions.
  • Loss of Culture and Identity:
  • Settlers' arrival disrupted traditional Indian societies.
  • Forced relocations and loss of hunting grounds weakened tribal cohesion and identity.
• What were the three groups discussed in relation to the American West?

  The Mormons, Native Americans, and the American government