Westward Migration (1835-1862)
Americans moved west for many reasons, both pushed from their homes and pulled toward new opportunities. Push factors included overcrowding, unemployment, persecution, and economic problems like the 1837 financial crisis when unemployment reached 25%. Pull factors drew people west with promises of fertile land, freedom, and especially gold after the California discovery in 1848.
The Oregon Trail became a major migration route by 1844, with wagon trains taking 8-9 months to complete the journey. Religious groups like the Mormons made remarkable journeys westโin 1846-47, Brigham Young led 1,500 Mormons from Illinois to escape persecution. Their migration succeeded through careful planning, discipline, and assigning specific roles to everyone.
Not all journeys ended well. The Donner Party tragedy occurred when a group tried taking a shortcut, became trapped in snow, and resorted to cannibalism to survive. This infamous story highlights the dangers migrants faced heading west.
Important concept: "Manifest Destiny" was the belief that it was God's will for white Americans to settle across the entire continent. This idea justified westward expansion but led to genocide of Plains Indians, lawlessness, and racial tensions.