List And Describe Three Specific Ways In Which The American
List And Describethreespecific Ways In Which The American West Benefit
List And Describethree specific ways in which the American West benefited from the reconstruction after the Civil War? Instructions : This essay is to be one page only. Do not exceed one page. You are to follow the standard rules of grammar, sentence construction, punctuations, spellings, coherence, and clarity. Your margins should be justified on both sides. Put your name and the course identifier on the upper right hand of your essay. The spacing should be single spaced. I will grade your work using these components. You are to attach your essay as a Microsoft Word document and submit it through the Canvass medium for work submissions. Do not send it to me as an email attachment. I will not open, read, or grade it. Up to 50 points could be deducted from your essay submission if you do not follow these stated instructions. Pay attention to the due dates and times. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Paper For Above instruction
The period of Reconstruction following the American Civil War was a transformative era for the American West. It facilitated significant economic, social, and infrastructural development, which have continued to shape the region’s growth. This essay highlights three specific ways in which the West benefited from this crucial period in American history.
Firstly, Reconstruction spurred economic development in the West, particularly through the expansion of the railroad industry. The Pacific Railway Act of 1862, which facilitated the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad, connected the eastern states with the western territories. This infrastructure revolutionized transportation, enabling faster movement of goods and people across vast distances. As a result, western farms and mines gained easier access to markets, leading to economic growth and attracting settlers seeking opportunities. The railroad's completion marked a pivotal turning point, transforming the West from isolated frontier to an integrated part of the national economy (Ambrose, 1996).
Secondly, Reconstruction contributed to the social and demographic transformation of the West through increased migration and settlement. The promise of land and economic prospects drew many Americans and immigrants to settle in previously sparsely populated areas. The Homestead Act of 1862, enacted during Reconstruction, provided settlers with 160 acres of public land for a small fee, promoting agricultural development and settlement. This influx of settlers led to the establishment of towns, schools, and communities, fostering social cohesion and Western identity (Johnson, 2009). The demographic shift played a vital role in shaping the cultural landscape of the region.
Thirdly, Reconstruction policies fostered the growth of public institutions and civil rights initiatives. Although the period was marked by challenges, efforts to establish schools, law enforcement, and local governments laid foundational elements for governance in the West. Reconstruction-era amendments, such as the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, aimed to secure civil rights for all citizens, including newly freed African Americans and other marginalized groups settling in Western territories. These developments contributed to the political development and stability of the region, laying the groundwork for future civic participation and civil rights activism (Foner, 1988).
In conclusion, the Reconstruction era significantly benefitted the American West by enhancing its economy through railroad expansion, increasing its population via land policies and migration, and establishing foundational civil institutions. These developments set the stage for the West’s rapid growth and integration into the broader national framework.
References
Ambrose, S. E. (1996). Nothing Like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad, 1863–1869. Simon & Schuster.
Foner, E. (1988). Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877. Harper & Row.
Johnson, W. (2009). The American West: A New Interpretive History. Yale University Press.