APUSH CHAPTER 27 2
Paul Shim
Miguel Estagle
Crystal Yun
Katelynn Mayfield
Rachel Duncan
2.Evaluate the extent to which the American West a land of opportunity for various groups from 1865 to 1900. (Paul Shim chapter 27 #2)
The popular idea of westward expansion was still thriving in the United States, which caused many people to migrate towards the west. The American West in the second half of the 19th century was a land of opportunity on the surface, but it also had its hardships for people such as the average farmer, and corporations due to the Homestead Act and the booming Industrial Revolution. During 1865 to 1900 farmers saw the most opportunity in west for the vast amount of potential farmland. The Homestead Act of allowed people to receive 160 acres of land in return for living on it for five years, improving it, or paying a fee. The government was practically giving the land away. This caused half a million families to buy land and settle in the west. Unfortunately, the lands in the west were arid, rough, and unpredictable so it was difficult for farmers to keep up with their homestead, which caused their lands to be taken away by the government before their five years was up. The farmers began to blame the railroads and banks for their land being taken away because the railroads and banks would end up buy these lands from the failing farmers. To an outsider the idea of vast amounts of potential farmland may seem like a great opportunity, but the western lands were barren and unforgiving to many of the people wanting success. In the second half of the 19th century, the industrial revolution formed big businesses, which controlled much of the American economy. One of the biggest technological innovations during that time period was the railroad. The railroad would create better communication and a fluid trade across the United States. So railroad companies such as the Union Pacific and the Northern Pacific began to emerge and create railroads in western lands. Once these
Miguel Estagle
Crystal Yun
Katelynn Mayfield
Rachel Duncan
2.Evaluate the extent to which the American West a land of opportunity for various groups from 1865 to 1900. (Paul Shim chapter 27 #2)
The popular idea of westward expansion was still thriving in the United States, which caused many people to migrate towards the west. The American West in the second half of the 19th century was a land of opportunity on the surface, but it also had its hardships for people such as the average farmer, and corporations due to the Homestead Act and the booming Industrial Revolution. During 1865 to 1900 farmers saw the most opportunity in west for the vast amount of potential farmland. The Homestead Act of allowed people to receive 160 acres of land in return for living on it for five years, improving it, or paying a fee. The government was practically giving the land away. This caused half a million families to buy land and settle in the west. Unfortunately, the lands in the west were arid, rough, and unpredictable so it was difficult for farmers to keep up with their homestead, which caused their lands to be taken away by the government before their five years was up. The farmers began to blame the railroads and banks for their land being taken away because the railroads and banks would end up buy these lands from the failing farmers. To an outsider the idea of vast amounts of potential farmland may seem like a great opportunity, but the western lands were barren and unforgiving to many of the people wanting success. In the second half of the 19th century, the industrial revolution formed big businesses, which controlled much of the American economy. One of the biggest technological innovations during that time period was the railroad. The railroad would create better communication and a fluid trade across the United States. So railroad companies such as the Union Pacific and the Northern Pacific began to emerge and create railroads in western lands. Once these