Westward Expansion: Economic Development [APUSH Review Unit 6 Topic 2] Period 6: 1865-1898

Westward Expansion: Causes and Effects (1865-1898)

Overview of Westward Expansion

• The video introduces Unit 6 of the AP U.S. History curriculum, focusing on the economics of westward expansion from 1865 to 1898.

• The primary aim is to explain the causes and effects of western settlement during this period.

Mechanization of Agriculture

• A significant change in agriculture was the mechanization process, where machines began replacing human labor in farming tasks.

• This led to a dramatic increase in crop production, with corn and wheat production roughly doubling between 1870 and 1900.

• Small farmers faced obsolescence as they could not compete with larger industrial farms that utilized advanced machinery, leading many to go out of business.

Economic Challenges for Farmers

• Despite increased production, all farmers experienced economic difficulties due to falling prices caused by overproduction.

• Farmers struggled with high prices for manufactured goods essential for their survival while facing low crop prices.

Railroad Issues and Farmer Resistance

• Railroads were crucial for transporting crops but often charged exorbitant rates, exacerbating farmers' financial struggles.

• In response, the National Grange Movement was established in 1868 to unite farmers for socialization and political action against corporate abuses.

Legislative Responses

• The Granger Laws emerged from farmer advocacy, regulating railroad rates and addressing corporate practices harmful to farmers.

• Key legislation included the Commerce Act of 1886 which mandated reasonable railroad rates enforced by the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Government Support for Westward Migration

• The federal government supported westward migration through land grants to railroad companies via the Pacific Railroads Acts.

• The Homestead Act of 1862 offered settlers 160 acres of free land under conditions that proved challenging for small-scale farming success.

Gold Rush and Boomtown Development

The Impact of Gold Migration on Urban Diversity

Emergence of Boomtowns

• Denver City and Boulder City emerged as significant boomtowns due to a new wave of migrants seeking wealth through gold mining.

• The influx of diverse populations in these towns reflects the universal appeal of gold, transcending racial and ethnic boundaries.

• These boomtowns became remarkably diverse, comparable to major urban areas in the eastern United States.

• This diversity was a direct result of the collective aspiration for prosperity among various groups during the gold rush era.