Analyze The Westward Expansion Map From 1860 To 1890

Analyze the westward expansion map from 1860 to 1890 using analysis and synthesis

This assignment is a “think piece,” an analytical essay requiring interaction with a subject to develop your own interpretation based on that experience. You will analyze a specific topic, then synthesize your analysis with outside scholarly research to support your ideas.

For this assignment, you will use an interactive map of westward expansion from 1860 to 1890, accessible via the provided PowerPoint. Focus on slides for Major Cities, Railroad Networks, Improved Agricultural Land, and States and Territories across the decades 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1890. Observe how the country changed over time, then interpret, synthesize, and analyze this data to craft a well-organized argument. Support your claims with research, and conclude with your findings.

Analysis involves breaking down the subject into its parts to understand its components, while synthesis involves integrating disparate parts to discover new insights. Effective writing combines both: analyzing individual facts and synthesizing them to make meaningful connections that reveal deeper understanding.

As an example, consider how the growth of the internet over the last thirty years connected the world, facilitating the spread of ideas and democratizing information access. If writing about this, one might focus on how the internet enables online education or non-traditional students’ access to higher education, supported by scholarly sources. Your essay should analyze the period of 1860-1890, making connections through research to deepen your argument.

The essay must be at least three double-spaced pages (Times New Roman, size 12), citing a minimum of two scholarly, peer-reviewed sources found through the APUS library. You may choose APA, MLA, or Chicago citation formats; history majors are encouraged to follow Chicago style. Use quotations and citations appropriately—direct quotes require quotation marks and footnotes/endnotes; paraphrased or non-common knowledge information must be cited.

The submission must include a cover page with your name, course number and title, instructor’s name, and date, as well as a bibliography at the end. Use formal, professional English: avoid abbreviations, contractions, informal language, passive voice, and first/second person pronouns. Proofread carefully before submission. Your filename should follow the format: lastnamefirstnameHIST102, written assignment #1 or wa#1.

Paper For Above instruction

The period from 1860 to 1890 was a transformative era in American history, marked by rapid westward expansion which profoundly reshaped the nation's geographical, economic, and social landscape. Using the interactive map provided through the PowerPoint, the significant changes that occurred during these decades can be visualized through the expansion of major cities, the growth of railroad networks, the improvement of agricultural land, and the expansion of states and territories. Analyzing these developments reveals not only the physical displacement of populations and the logistical advancements underpinning expansion but also the broader implications for American national identity and economic growth.

One crucial aspect of westward expansion was the development of the railroad system. The Railroads played a vital role in connecting the eastern states with the western territories, enabling more efficient movement of people, goods, and resources. The construction of transcontinental railroads, like the First Transcontinental Railroad completed in 1869, drastically reduced travel times and facilitated migration. Scholars such as Richard White (2011) note that the expansion of railroad networks was instrumental in integrating the national economy, fostering the rise of new markets, and encouraging settlement in the West (White, 2011). The map indicates a significant increase in railroad routes from the 1860s through the 1890s, correlating with the accelerated territorial acquisition and settlement of the West.

Alongside transportation infrastructure, the growth of agriculture improved land use and contributed to the evolving economy. The Homestead Act of 1862 incentivized settlers to establish farms in the West, leading to the transformation of undeveloped land into productive agricultural areas. The map's depiction of "Improved Agricultural Land" illustrates this change, reflecting a broadening of land under cultivation. Historians like Stephen E. Ambrose (1996) argue that these agricultural expansions were driven by technological innovations such as the railroads, which enabled farmers to access distant markets and supported the growth of a national food industry (Ambrose, 1996). The increased cultivation facilitated the influx of settlers and economic opportunities but also contributed to tensions with indigenous populations and environmental concerns.

The expansion of major cities and new territories on the map illustrates demographic shifts and political changes during these decades. Urbanization in the West, catalyzed by increased economic activities, attracted diverse populations including European immigrants and former Easterners seeking opportunities. The growth of cities like Omaha, Denver, and San Francisco exemplifies the burgeoning urban centers that served as hubs for commerce and migration. Craig Thompson Friend (2007) demonstrates that these urban centers fostered a sense of American expansionist ideology, emphasizing Manifest Destiny as a justification for territorial acquisition and settlement (Friend, 2007). The political boundaries shifted, as new states and territories emerged, embracing the economic and demographic changes triggered by these developments.

Integrating these perspectives through synthesis reveals a complex picture: technological innovations like the railroad spurred economic growth and settlement; government policies such as the Homestead Act facilitated land utilization; and urban development reflected a shifting demographic that reinforced the national expansion ethos. However, these expansions had consequences; notably, the displacement and marginalization of Native American tribes, environmental changes, and the emergence of corporate monopolies controlling transportation and land management (Foner, 2010). These interconnected developments fostered a new American identity rooted in expansionism, economic opportunity, and technological progress, but also faced resistance and ethical challenges.

In conclusion, analyzing the westward expansion from 1860 to 1890 through the map and scholarly research illustrates a period of rapid transformation with lasting implications. The interconnected growth of railroads, agriculture, and urban centers underscores a drive towards national unity and economic development. Recognizing the complex consequences of expansion—including displacement of indigenous peoples, environmental impacts, and economic disparities—deepens our understanding of this pivotal period in American history. By synthesizing the visual data with scholarly insights, it is clear that westward expansion was not merely a geographical phenomenon but a multifaceted process shaping the cultural, economic, and political fabric of the nation.

References

• Ambrose, S. E. (1996). Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West. Touchstone.
• Friend, C. T. (2007). The Plains during the Era of European Contact. University of Nebraska Press.
• Foner, E. (2010). Give Me Liberty!: An American History. W. W. Norton & Company.
• White, R. (2011). Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Additional scholarly references relevant to the period, westward expansion, and infrastructure development should be included as needed.