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6.2 Westward Expansion: Economic Development

7 min readjanuary 25, 2023

Robby May

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Robby May

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

After the , the government invested heavily in transportation and communication systems, which helped connect the different regions of the nation and create new markets. The Republicans returned to , which advocated for government investment in infrastructure projects, and they used federal funds to build the .

The was a massive undertaking that linked the East and West coasts of the United States by rail, and it was completed in 1869. The railroad boom that followed helped connect regional areas of the country and opened up new markets for trade and commerce. It also greatly facilitated the settlement and development of the American West, which had previously been difficult to access.

The construction of the also had a significant impact on the nation's economy, as it spurred the growth of industries such as steel, coal, and manufacturing. It also provided jobs for thousands of workers, and it led to the growth of many towns and cities along the railway. The railroad was a key factor in the capitalist development of the United States during the , and it played an important role in shaping the nation's economy and society.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Conquest of the West

Mining Frontier

Mining was a major factor that attracted people to the West during the . The of 1848 was the first significant mining boom in the West, and it led to a large influx of people to California in search of gold. This was followed by other gold and silver rushes in other western states, such as Colorado and Nevada.

Individual prospectors, known as "", flocked to the West in search of wealth and many did strike it rich, but for most, it was a hard and unprofitable endeavor. Eventually, mining became too expensive for the average miner to undertake, as it required deep shafts and costly equipment. Large corporations then moved in to take over the mining operations, which led to the displacement of many small-scale miners.

The mining boom led to the creation of many , which were towns that sprang up overnight as a result of a rich strike. These towns were often characterized by saloons, dance hall girls, and vigilante justice. However, many of these towns would become ghost towns within a few years after the gold or silver ran out. The mining boom brought wealth to some but also brought hardship to many, and it had a significant impact on the development of the American West during the .

Chinese Exclusion Act

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/The_Chinese_Must_Go_-_Magic_Washer_-_1886_anti-Chinese_US_cartoon.jpg

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

As mining operations developed in the West during the , mining companies employed experienced miners from various parts of the world, including Europe, Latin America, and China. In many mining camps, a significant portion of the population was foreign-born, with as much as 25-50% of the population being made up of immigrants.

However, the Chinese immigrants faced significant discrimination, and in 1882, the United States Congress passed the , which suspended immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years. This was the first major act of Congress to restrict immigration on the basis of race and nationality. The act was driven by anti-Chinese sentiment and economic competition, as many Americans saw the Chinese as taking jobs away from native-born workers and driving down wages. The act was also motivated by a belief that the Chinese immigrants were not capable of assimilating into American society.

The was extended multiple times and was not repealed until 1943. The act had a severe impact on the Chinese-American community, and it created a discriminatory and exclusionary system that denied basic rights to Chinese immigrants and their descendants for over 60 years. It is considered a dark chapter in American history and had a lasting impact on the Chinese-American community.

Agricultural Frontier

The was a significant piece of legislation that encouraged farming on the Great Plains by offering 160 acres of public land free to any family that settled on it for a period of five years. Many people moved west to take advantage of this opportunity, and it contributed to the settlement and development of the American West.

The Homestead Act was one of the several government policies that helped spur the growth of agriculture in the West. Innovations such as the and had already led to greater agricultural production, but new innovations like and the further boosted the productivity of Western settlers' farms and ranches. These innovations made it possible to fence in and protect large areas of land, and to transport and store perishable goods, which helped to increase the scale of agricultural operations.

However, while the innovations and the Homestead Act led to increased productivity in agriculture, it also led to lower prices for farm products, and many farmers began to see large corporations (banks, railroads, etc.) as the enemy. They felt that many government policies were benefiting large corporations at the expense of small farmers. The farmers began to organize and form cooperatives and political groups to push for policies that would benefit small farmers. This was the start of the which will grow stronger during the following decades.

Cattle Frontier 

Cattle ranching dominated the open range, a vast fenceless area extending from the north into Canada. The problem was how to get the beef to eastern markets, and was one of the people who helped solve this problem. He conceived the idea of taking the cattle to the railheads in Kansas and built the first stockyards in the region in Abilene, Kansas, to hold cattle destined for Chicago. In 1870, 300,000 head of Texas cattle reached Abilene, followed the next year by 700,000.

, or cattle herders, pushed steers northward in herds of two to three thousand. While novels and films often portray as white, at least a quarter of were black and another quarter were Mexican. The cowboy culture is a diverse culture, and it was not just white men who drove cattle to the railhead.

The rise of the railroads in the late 19th century also helped with the transportation of cattle to eastern markets. The railroads made it possible to transport cattle to places like Chicago, where they could be slaughtered and processed. This led to the growth of the , and Chicago became known as the "hog butcher for the world."

The cattle drives were a significant part of the history of the American West and had a significant impact on the economy and society of the region. The open range and the cowboy culture that developed around it are an iconic part of American history.

Grange Movement

The , also known as the , was a fraternal organization for farmers that was founded in 1867. The Grange was formed to provide a sense of community among farmers and to organize resistance against the monopolistic practices of railroads, grain elevators, and other large corporations. These groups were typically local cooperatives that encouraged farmers to unite and better their communities.

From these movements, the was founded after the . The Farmers' Alliance was a political organization that grew to be one of the largest farmers’ groups ever, with a membership of over one million.

The Farmers' Alliance organized cooperatives to buy supplies for less and sell goods collectively. They also provided loans to farmers and asked for government support in stabilizing the agricultural economy. They also advocated for the regulation of railroads, the creation of a graduated income tax, and the establishment of a graduated land tax.

The Farmers' Alliance played a major role in the populist movement of the 1890s, which aimed to give more political power to farmers and workers. They eventually merged with the , also known as the , which ran a presidential candidate in 1892.

Overall, the and the Farmers' Alliance are examples of how farmers and rural communities organized themselves to address the challenges they faced during the , and how they pushed for government policies that would benefit them.

Ocala Platform

Many farmers’ alliances were politically minded and lobbied state legislatures for regulations on railroad rates. 

In 1890, several farmers’ alliances met in Ocala, FL to discuss a few common political initiatives. There, they established the , which called for the following:

  • Direct election of US senators 

  • Lower tariff rates

  • A gradual income tax (people with higher incomes would pay higher rates of tax)

  • A new banking system regulated by the federal government. 

  • It also urged the free coinage of silver ⛓, and increase its use in circulation to create inflation and raise crop prices. 

  • Federal storage for farmers crops and federal loans, which would free farmers from dependency on middlemen and creditors. 

These issues (and the government’s failure to address them) eventually led to the foundation of the (or the People’s Party) in 1892

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Populism

Key Terms to Review (29)

49ers

: The 49ers were gold prospectors who migrated to California in search of wealth during the Gold Rush of 1849.

Agricultural Frontier

: The Agricultural Frontier refers to the advancing boundary of settlement in the United States, where pioneers moved westward for farming and ranching opportunities during the 19th century.

Barbed Wire

: Barbed wire is a type of steel fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strands. It was used extensively in the late 19th century to fence in cattle and other livestock on vast ranches.

Boomtowns

: Boomtowns are communities that experience sudden and rapid population and economic growth. They often arise due to discovery of a precious resource such as gold or oil.

California Gold Rush

: The California Gold Rush was a period of rapid migration to California following the discovery of gold in 1848. Thousands of people, known as '49ers, moved to the state hoping to strike it rich.

Cattle Frontier

: The Cattle Frontier refers to an era in American history from roughly 1865-1890 when cattle ranching became a major industry in parts of Western U.S., particularly Texas, due to open-range grazing practices.

Chinese Exclusion Act

: The Chinese Exclusion Act was a U.S. federal law signed by President Chester A. Arthur in 1882, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers.

Civil War

: The Civil War was a major conflict fought between northern states (known as the Union) and southern states (known as Confederacy) that seceded from the United States over issues including slavery and states' rights from 1861-1865.

Cotton Gin

: The cotton gin is a machine that was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 to separate cotton fibers from their seeds, which significantly sped up the process of producing cotton.

Cowboys

: Cowboys were skilled horsemen who herded cattle on ranches in the American West during the 19th century.

Farmers Movement

: The Farmers Movement was a series of agrarian protests in the United States during the late 19th century, where farmers sought to improve their economic conditions and influence political decisions.

Farmers’ Alliance

: The Farmers' Alliance was a collective movement among American farmers in the late 19th century that aimed to improve their economic conditions through cooperative efforts and political lobbying.

Gilded Age

: The Gilded Age (1870s-1900) was a period in US history marked by rapid economic growth, particularly in the North and West. However, it was also characterized by severe social problems, such as inequality and corruption.

Grange Movement

: The Grange Movement was a farmers' organization founded after Civil War in 1867 to advocate for rural communities and agriculture interests against monopolistic practices by railroads and warehouses.

Henry Clay's American System

: Henry Clay's American System was an economic plan proposed after the War of 1812 that aimed at stimulating economic growth through protective tariffs, internal improvements (like roads and canals), and strengthening national banking system.

Homestead Act of 1862

: The Homestead Act of 1862 was a federal law that gave settlers 160 acres of public land for a small fee, provided they improve the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops.

Joseph McCoy

: Joseph McCoy was a 19th-century entrepreneur known for promoting the use of cow towns and establishing the cattle trail from Texas to Abilene, Kansas. He is often credited with helping to shape the American West.

McCormick Reaper

: The McCormick reaper was a mechanical horse-drawn reaping machine invented by Cyrus McCormick in 1831. It revolutionized farming by drastically increasing the speed at which crops could be harvested.

Meatpacking industry in the Midwest

: The meatpacking industry in the Midwest refers to the large-scale industrial operations that slaughter, process, package, and distribute meat products. This industry became prominent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to advancements in refrigeration and transportation technologies.

Mining Frontier

: The Mining Frontier refers to the westward movement in America during the mid-19th century where people migrated in search of mineral wealth.

National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry

: Also known as "The Grange," this organization was founded in 1867 to advocate for rural communities and agriculture interests, providing social, educational, and political opportunities for its members.

Ocala Platform

: The Ocala Platform was a set of demands made by leaders of the Southern Farmers' Alliance at a convention held in Ocala, Florida in 1890. These demands included free coinage of silver, federal income tax, direct election of senators, regulation or ownership of railroads by government etc., many of which were later adopted by the Populist Party.

Panic of 1873

: The Panic of 1873 was a financial crisis that triggered a depression in Europe and North America that lasted for six years, until 1879.

People's Party

: The People's Party, also known as the Populist Party, was a political party in the United States that emerged in the late 19th century. It represented rural and agricultural interests, advocating for things like government control of railroads and currency reform.

Populist Party

: The Populist Party, also known as the People's Party, was a political party in the United States that emerged in the late 19th century. It represented farmers and laborers, advocating for things like government control of railroads and currency reform.

Refrigerated Railroad Car

: A refrigerated railroad car, also known as a "reefer," is a cooled boxcar that allows perishable goods like meat and dairy to be transported long distances without spoiling.

Stockyards in Abilene, Kansas

: The stockyards were holding pens for livestock located in Abilene, Kansas. They served as a hub for buying and selling cattle during the late 19th century.

Texas Panhandle

: The Texas Panhandle is a region of U.S. state of Texas consisting of northernmost twenty-six counties in the state. It's named for its resemblance to handle part of a cooking pan.

Transcontinental Railroad

: The Transcontinental Railroad was a 1,912-mile continuous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 across the western United States to connect the Pacific coast at San Francisco Bay with existing Eastern U.S. rail network at Council Bluffs, Iowa.

6.2 Westward Expansion: Economic Development

7 min readjanuary 25, 2023

Robby May

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Robby May

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

After the , the government invested heavily in transportation and communication systems, which helped connect the different regions of the nation and create new markets. The Republicans returned to , which advocated for government investment in infrastructure projects, and they used federal funds to build the .

The was a massive undertaking that linked the East and West coasts of the United States by rail, and it was completed in 1869. The railroad boom that followed helped connect regional areas of the country and opened up new markets for trade and commerce. It also greatly facilitated the settlement and development of the American West, which had previously been difficult to access.

The construction of the also had a significant impact on the nation's economy, as it spurred the growth of industries such as steel, coal, and manufacturing. It also provided jobs for thousands of workers, and it led to the growth of many towns and cities along the railway. The railroad was a key factor in the capitalist development of the United States during the , and it played an important role in shaping the nation's economy and society.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Conquest of the West

Mining Frontier

Mining was a major factor that attracted people to the West during the . The of 1848 was the first significant mining boom in the West, and it led to a large influx of people to California in search of gold. This was followed by other gold and silver rushes in other western states, such as Colorado and Nevada.

Individual prospectors, known as "", flocked to the West in search of wealth and many did strike it rich, but for most, it was a hard and unprofitable endeavor. Eventually, mining became too expensive for the average miner to undertake, as it required deep shafts and costly equipment. Large corporations then moved in to take over the mining operations, which led to the displacement of many small-scale miners.

The mining boom led to the creation of many , which were towns that sprang up overnight as a result of a rich strike. These towns were often characterized by saloons, dance hall girls, and vigilante justice. However, many of these towns would become ghost towns within a few years after the gold or silver ran out. The mining boom brought wealth to some but also brought hardship to many, and it had a significant impact on the development of the American West during the .

Chinese Exclusion Act

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/The_Chinese_Must_Go_-_Magic_Washer_-_1886_anti-Chinese_US_cartoon.jpg

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

As mining operations developed in the West during the , mining companies employed experienced miners from various parts of the world, including Europe, Latin America, and China. In many mining camps, a significant portion of the population was foreign-born, with as much as 25-50% of the population being made up of immigrants.

However, the Chinese immigrants faced significant discrimination, and in 1882, the United States Congress passed the , which suspended immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years. This was the first major act of Congress to restrict immigration on the basis of race and nationality. The act was driven by anti-Chinese sentiment and economic competition, as many Americans saw the Chinese as taking jobs away from native-born workers and driving down wages. The act was also motivated by a belief that the Chinese immigrants were not capable of assimilating into American society.

The was extended multiple times and was not repealed until 1943. The act had a severe impact on the Chinese-American community, and it created a discriminatory and exclusionary system that denied basic rights to Chinese immigrants and their descendants for over 60 years. It is considered a dark chapter in American history and had a lasting impact on the Chinese-American community.

Agricultural Frontier

The was a significant piece of legislation that encouraged farming on the Great Plains by offering 160 acres of public land free to any family that settled on it for a period of five years. Many people moved west to take advantage of this opportunity, and it contributed to the settlement and development of the American West.

The Homestead Act was one of the several government policies that helped spur the growth of agriculture in the West. Innovations such as the and had already led to greater agricultural production, but new innovations like and the further boosted the productivity of Western settlers' farms and ranches. These innovations made it possible to fence in and protect large areas of land, and to transport and store perishable goods, which helped to increase the scale of agricultural operations.

However, while the innovations and the Homestead Act led to increased productivity in agriculture, it also led to lower prices for farm products, and many farmers began to see large corporations (banks, railroads, etc.) as the enemy. They felt that many government policies were benefiting large corporations at the expense of small farmers. The farmers began to organize and form cooperatives and political groups to push for policies that would benefit small farmers. This was the start of the which will grow stronger during the following decades.

Cattle Frontier 

Cattle ranching dominated the open range, a vast fenceless area extending from the north into Canada. The problem was how to get the beef to eastern markets, and was one of the people who helped solve this problem. He conceived the idea of taking the cattle to the railheads in Kansas and built the first stockyards in the region in Abilene, Kansas, to hold cattle destined for Chicago. In 1870, 300,000 head of Texas cattle reached Abilene, followed the next year by 700,000.

, or cattle herders, pushed steers northward in herds of two to three thousand. While novels and films often portray as white, at least a quarter of were black and another quarter were Mexican. The cowboy culture is a diverse culture, and it was not just white men who drove cattle to the railhead.

The rise of the railroads in the late 19th century also helped with the transportation of cattle to eastern markets. The railroads made it possible to transport cattle to places like Chicago, where they could be slaughtered and processed. This led to the growth of the , and Chicago became known as the "hog butcher for the world."

The cattle drives were a significant part of the history of the American West and had a significant impact on the economy and society of the region. The open range and the cowboy culture that developed around it are an iconic part of American history.

Grange Movement

The , also known as the , was a fraternal organization for farmers that was founded in 1867. The Grange was formed to provide a sense of community among farmers and to organize resistance against the monopolistic practices of railroads, grain elevators, and other large corporations. These groups were typically local cooperatives that encouraged farmers to unite and better their communities.

From these movements, the was founded after the . The Farmers' Alliance was a political organization that grew to be one of the largest farmers’ groups ever, with a membership of over one million.

The Farmers' Alliance organized cooperatives to buy supplies for less and sell goods collectively. They also provided loans to farmers and asked for government support in stabilizing the agricultural economy. They also advocated for the regulation of railroads, the creation of a graduated income tax, and the establishment of a graduated land tax.

The Farmers' Alliance played a major role in the populist movement of the 1890s, which aimed to give more political power to farmers and workers. They eventually merged with the , also known as the , which ran a presidential candidate in 1892.

Overall, the and the Farmers' Alliance are examples of how farmers and rural communities organized themselves to address the challenges they faced during the , and how they pushed for government policies that would benefit them.

Ocala Platform

Many farmers’ alliances were politically minded and lobbied state legislatures for regulations on railroad rates. 

In 1890, several farmers’ alliances met in Ocala, FL to discuss a few common political initiatives. There, they established the , which called for the following:

  • Direct election of US senators 

  • Lower tariff rates

  • A gradual income tax (people with higher incomes would pay higher rates of tax)

  • A new banking system regulated by the federal government. 

  • It also urged the free coinage of silver ⛓, and increase its use in circulation to create inflation and raise crop prices. 

  • Federal storage for farmers crops and federal loans, which would free farmers from dependency on middlemen and creditors. 

These issues (and the government’s failure to address them) eventually led to the foundation of the (or the People’s Party) in 1892

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Populism

Key Terms to Review (29)

49ers

: The 49ers were gold prospectors who migrated to California in search of wealth during the Gold Rush of 1849.

Agricultural Frontier

: The Agricultural Frontier refers to the advancing boundary of settlement in the United States, where pioneers moved westward for farming and ranching opportunities during the 19th century.

Barbed Wire

: Barbed wire is a type of steel fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strands. It was used extensively in the late 19th century to fence in cattle and other livestock on vast ranches.

Boomtowns

: Boomtowns are communities that experience sudden and rapid population and economic growth. They often arise due to discovery of a precious resource such as gold or oil.

California Gold Rush

: The California Gold Rush was a period of rapid migration to California following the discovery of gold in 1848. Thousands of people, known as '49ers, moved to the state hoping to strike it rich.

Cattle Frontier

: The Cattle Frontier refers to an era in American history from roughly 1865-1890 when cattle ranching became a major industry in parts of Western U.S., particularly Texas, due to open-range grazing practices.

Chinese Exclusion Act

: The Chinese Exclusion Act was a U.S. federal law signed by President Chester A. Arthur in 1882, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers.

Civil War

: The Civil War was a major conflict fought between northern states (known as the Union) and southern states (known as Confederacy) that seceded from the United States over issues including slavery and states' rights from 1861-1865.

Cotton Gin

: The cotton gin is a machine that was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 to separate cotton fibers from their seeds, which significantly sped up the process of producing cotton.

Cowboys

: Cowboys were skilled horsemen who herded cattle on ranches in the American West during the 19th century.

Farmers Movement

: The Farmers Movement was a series of agrarian protests in the United States during the late 19th century, where farmers sought to improve their economic conditions and influence political decisions.

Farmers’ Alliance

: The Farmers' Alliance was a collective movement among American farmers in the late 19th century that aimed to improve their economic conditions through cooperative efforts and political lobbying.

Gilded Age

: The Gilded Age (1870s-1900) was a period in US history marked by rapid economic growth, particularly in the North and West. However, it was also characterized by severe social problems, such as inequality and corruption.

Grange Movement

: The Grange Movement was a farmers' organization founded after Civil War in 1867 to advocate for rural communities and agriculture interests against monopolistic practices by railroads and warehouses.

Henry Clay's American System

: Henry Clay's American System was an economic plan proposed after the War of 1812 that aimed at stimulating economic growth through protective tariffs, internal improvements (like roads and canals), and strengthening national banking system.

Homestead Act of 1862

: The Homestead Act of 1862 was a federal law that gave settlers 160 acres of public land for a small fee, provided they improve the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops.

Joseph McCoy

: Joseph McCoy was a 19th-century entrepreneur known for promoting the use of cow towns and establishing the cattle trail from Texas to Abilene, Kansas. He is often credited with helping to shape the American West.

McCormick Reaper

: The McCormick reaper was a mechanical horse-drawn reaping machine invented by Cyrus McCormick in 1831. It revolutionized farming by drastically increasing the speed at which crops could be harvested.

Meatpacking industry in the Midwest

: The meatpacking industry in the Midwest refers to the large-scale industrial operations that slaughter, process, package, and distribute meat products. This industry became prominent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to advancements in refrigeration and transportation technologies.

Mining Frontier

: The Mining Frontier refers to the westward movement in America during the mid-19th century where people migrated in search of mineral wealth.

National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry

: Also known as "The Grange," this organization was founded in 1867 to advocate for rural communities and agriculture interests, providing social, educational, and political opportunities for its members.

Ocala Platform

: The Ocala Platform was a set of demands made by leaders of the Southern Farmers' Alliance at a convention held in Ocala, Florida in 1890. These demands included free coinage of silver, federal income tax, direct election of senators, regulation or ownership of railroads by government etc., many of which were later adopted by the Populist Party.

Panic of 1873

: The Panic of 1873 was a financial crisis that triggered a depression in Europe and North America that lasted for six years, until 1879.

People's Party

: The People's Party, also known as the Populist Party, was a political party in the United States that emerged in the late 19th century. It represented rural and agricultural interests, advocating for things like government control of railroads and currency reform.

Populist Party

: The Populist Party, also known as the People's Party, was a political party in the United States that emerged in the late 19th century. It represented farmers and laborers, advocating for things like government control of railroads and currency reform.

Refrigerated Railroad Car

: A refrigerated railroad car, also known as a "reefer," is a cooled boxcar that allows perishable goods like meat and dairy to be transported long distances without spoiling.

Stockyards in Abilene, Kansas

: The stockyards were holding pens for livestock located in Abilene, Kansas. They served as a hub for buying and selling cattle during the late 19th century.

Texas Panhandle

: The Texas Panhandle is a region of U.S. state of Texas consisting of northernmost twenty-six counties in the state. It's named for its resemblance to handle part of a cooking pan.

Transcontinental Railroad

: The Transcontinental Railroad was a 1,912-mile continuous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 across the western United States to connect the Pacific coast at San Francisco Bay with existing Eastern U.S. rail network at Council Bluffs, Iowa.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.