Way of Life in the West
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Way of Life in the West
American History 1865 to Present April 2, 2014
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Way of Life in the West
Many historians tell of push/pull factors relating to the expansion of the west. Settlers that pushed west went for a variety of reasons, religion, politics, abolition, and to escape the ever growing crowding of the eastern United States. Some did not want new industry, and were uncomfortable with developing cities. The pioneers faced factors that would also pull them west. Sparse crop yield and the promise of gold, furs, and the ability to buy cheap land made the choice to move on easier. Correspondence from other friends and family members telling them of a better life pulled many apart. A lot of people died, but many settlers forged ahead to live a better existence on the new frontier. Socioeconomic impact and upheaval of the late eighteen hundreds created a religious moral divide in the American population. The Second Great Awakening movement grew within the southern states with Baptists and Methodists creating temperance societies that shied away from social reforms. Another Great Awakening in the North created by Presbyterians enticed freedom from sin in New England and New York. Revivals erupted in the northern
Way of Life in the West
American History 1865 to Present April 2, 2014
2
Way of Life in the West
Many historians tell of push/pull factors relating to the expansion of the west. Settlers that pushed west went for a variety of reasons, religion, politics, abolition, and to escape the ever growing crowding of the eastern United States. Some did not want new industry, and were uncomfortable with developing cities. The pioneers faced factors that would also pull them west. Sparse crop yield and the promise of gold, furs, and the ability to buy cheap land made the choice to move on easier. Correspondence from other friends and family members telling them of a better life pulled many apart. A lot of people died, but many settlers forged ahead to live a better existence on the new frontier. Socioeconomic impact and upheaval of the late eighteen hundreds created a religious moral divide in the American population. The Second Great Awakening movement grew within the southern states with Baptists and Methodists creating temperance societies that shied away from social reforms. Another Great Awakening in the North created by Presbyterians enticed freedom from sin in New England and New York. Revivals erupted in the northern
References: America Past and Present, Volume 2 8th edition Chapter 16: The Agony of Reconstruction and Chapter 17: The West: Exploiting an Empire