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Isolation

Definition

Isolation refers to the state of being separated or cut off from others, often resulting in feelings of loneliness and a lack of social interaction. In the context of westward expansion, it can refer to the physical and emotional distance experienced by individuals living in remote frontier areas.

Analogy

Imagine you're on an island all by yourself with no way to communicate with anyone else. You feel lonely and disconnected from the rest of the world, just like people who lived in isolated frontier regions during westward expansion.

Related terms

Frontier: The term "frontier" refers to the unexplored or unsettled areas at the edge of a settled region. It represents the boundary between civilization and wilderness.

Manifest Destiny: Manifest Destiny was a belief held by many Americans in the 19th century that it was their God-given destiny to expand westward across North America, which led to rapid territorial acquisition.

Homesteading: Homesteading is a process through which individuals could acquire land from the government by settling on and cultivating it for a certain period. This played a significant role in westward expansion as settlers moved further into frontier areas.