The causes and effects of westward expansion on Americans during the mid to late 1800’s

          One of the causes of westward expansion was that, a man named Horace Greeley published a news paper telling people to move westward. Another cause that made our people move westward was that, the Government was offering land to whoever moved to the west. Example; The Government said that whatever land they find in the west would be theirs for free and that you can also find many riches in the far west. This is also connected to the American dream. Some stuff of the American dream is, starting a new life, finding wealth and having a family. Like the saying, having a white picket fence house. However, the American dream was a Manifest Destiny. The American dream was far beyond this because what the Government stated wasn’t exactly true. Manifest means paranormal and destiny means meant to be. So, this is a meant to be paranormal journey. Another cause that made people move westward was that many cities were crowded so most people didn’t have enough space to be comfortable enough to live a normal life. The start of this American dream was in the mid 1800’s in Missouri. Many people would follow the Oregon Trail that started in Missouri and ended in Oregon in order to move farther west. Most people would walk the trail but other people used ox’s to pull their schooners up the trail. Other people like the Mormons also moved westward to start a new life since they were discriminated because of their religion. Some effects of westward expansion was that, (exact amount unknown) 20,000 to 30,000 people died by traveling on the Oregon Trail. Do to the harsh obstacles the travelers had to face like harsh weathers, rivers and high mountains and also, the Native Americans. Most travelers had to literally leave everything behind in order to continue the American dream. A positive effect of westward expansion was that over 250,000 Americans successfully moved westward.