WESTWARD EXPANSION

FORMAT EXPLANATION

• Why to go west
• Why to go west cont.
• Why to go west cont.
• Why to go west cont.
• Why it is Social, Economic, or Political

SOCIAL REASONS

SOCIAL REASON 1

• American believed they had a God-given mission
• to extend their system of democracy. Americans hoped
• to establish a democratic republic that reached to the
• Pacific, which would serve as an example to the world.
• Decisions made for the betterment of many people's beliefs.

SOCIAL REASON 2

• The pioneer spirit was seen as the perfect
• expression of American individualism. Americans
• admired the rugged pioneers who advanced into
• Texas, Oregon, California, and the southwest.
• Decision made for the freedom of people.

SOCIAL REASON 3

• There was a desire to spread beliefs
• to the people of the West and to
• find religious freedom to escape
• religious persecution in the East.
• Decisions made for the freedom of people.

ECONOMIC REASONS

ECONOMIC REASON 1

• Many Americas believed their future prosperity depended
• on the land and wealth to be gained from westward
• expansion. The success of farmers in Texas and the
• discovery of gold in California encouraged this belief.
• Decisions made for the betterment of business.

ECONOMIC REASON 2

• There was a desire for American buisnesses
• to open up more markets to sell their goods
• to other countries. This could be done in the
• West by use of Westward expansion.
• Decisions made for the betterment of business.

ECONOMIC REASON 3

• Businesses wanted more markets
• for American goods, with more land
• more business could grow, and more
• natural resources could be used.
• Decisions made for the betterment of business.

POLITICAL REASONS

POLITICS REASON 1

• Farmers were interested in expanding into the west to
• farm. Many farmers used slaves, so slavery so slavery
• was expected to expand into the west. The use of
• slavery caused tension between the north and the south.
• Decisions made for betterment through governing.

POLITICS REASON 2

• Occupying the middle of the
• continent from coast to coast would
• discourage threats from rival powers
• like England, Spain, or Russia.
• Decisions made for betterment through governing.

POLITICS REASON 3

• There was the desire to
• reduce overcrowding in
• the cities.
• The decisisions made are
• made by the government.