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Which was the more important reason why settlers moved west up to 1895? -…
Which was the more important reason why settlers moved west up to 1895?
Religion
Manifest Destiny
Many US citizens believed that they were destined to occupy and govern all of North America, they saw it as their god-given right
US citizens believed they were superior to Native Americans and that they should civilise the continent
Missionaries were among the earliest settlers on the west coast in the 1830's
The aim was to convert the Native Americans to Christianity
Mormons
Mormans first settled in Kirtland, Ohio in 1831
After facing persecution Brigham Young lead the Mormons to Illinois and created their own city of Nauvoo in 1839
Economic Reasons
In the 1820's and 1830's, mountain men explored the west while hunting animals to sell their skins
Although they didn't settle there, they established westward trails that settlers would later use
Large groups of people who wanted to make new lives for themselves went to the west coast
Peoria Party in 1839
Others followed in the 1840's
Economic problems
Recession in 1837 caused banks to callapse and business to fail
Wages and profis fell and unemployment rose
Overpopulation
High levels of European immigation
Particually orm Ireland and Germnay form 1846-1854
Led to overcrowded cites
Fewer Jobs
Lack of farming land
Disease
Overvrowding
Poor sanitary systems
Epidemics
Yellow Fever
Cholera
Fertile and Cheap Land
Government Encouragment
The government passed acts which allowed settlers to claim land in Oregon
More settlers stengthens the USA's claim to the land
Gold
Gold was found at John Sutter's sawmill in California in January 1848
In December President Polk confimed there was gold in the area
In 1849 there was a gold rush, as tens of thousands of people made the journey to Califrornia , hoping to make their fortune