Westward Movement (College Board AP® US History)

Summary

During President Polk’s administration in 1845, the term Manifest Destiny was first used. John O’Sullivan used the term to indicate that God ordained the United States to expand its territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. As a result, large-scale migration was encouraged with the assistance of President Polk, who approved favorable legislation. In addition, settlers were tempted by the resources available in the West and others by the promise of religious freedom that would be found there.  

From the beginning of President Polk’s administration in 1845, he helped the United States to grow by adding new states to the Union. However, the addition of new states increased the uneasiness of those who supported the slave system. 

Reasons for Migration

• The three main reasons for migration to the west included:

  • resources

  • legislation

  • religion

Mineral and Natural Resources

• The discovery of gold in California in 1848, triggered the California Gold Rush

  • This attracted nearly 300,000 migrants to California

  • It transformed the region’s economy and demographics

• Gold was also found in the following locations, encouraging further exploration and settlement:

  • Colorado

  • North Dakota 

  • South Dakota

  • Nevada

Legislation

• The Preemption Acts of the 1830s and 1840s:

  • Allowed people to purchase public lands at low prices

    • Making homesteads and farms affordable

  • Benefitted mainly middle-class settlers seeking economic opportunities through farming and land ownership

Religion

• Mormon migration:

  • In the 1830s and 1840s, the Mormons fled religious persecution in the east

  • They migrated west and settled in Utah Territory

  • 70,000 Mormon migrants migrated to create a settlement in an otherwise inhospitable region and created a thriving community