What Factors Encouraged Western Migration? (Edexcel GCSE History)

The Opportunities and Issues with Westward Migration -Summary

From the 1830s, people travelled to the west of America because of economic, social and religious factors.

Many settlers were motivated to move westwards for land and opportunity. The concept of 'Manifest Destiny' was very important. The white Americans believed that it was their mission to spread Christianity and populate the West. As a result, the US government established policies and schemes to encourage migration.

The discovery of gold in California in 1848 sparked a mass migration known as the California Gold Rush. Prospectors from all over the world travelled to the West. They hoped to find their fortune in the goldfields. The idea of wealth and a new beginning drove many individuals and families to journey westward. Many people would never achieve great wealth.

The desire for religious freedom motivated some groups to migrate to the West. Religious groups like the Mormons sought to create communities where they could practice their beliefs freely. They had faced severe persecution within the USA.

Westward migration had significant consequences for America. Some positives include the establishment of societies and states for the US government. However, this had negative impacts on the existing indigenous tribes in these areas. Settlers disrespected tribal boundaries and monopolised resources. This competition also caused issues with law and order in newly established towns.

The Economy in East USA, 1830s

• In 1837, there was a significant crash in the Eastern and Southern US economy

  • It lasted until the mid-1840s

  • The impact of the crash was:

    • A loss of savings

    • The closing of multiple banks

    • The failing of businesses

    • An increase in unemployment by 25%

    • A reduction in wages by 40%​

Why did the Economy Increase Western Migration?

• Poorer and unemployed settlers wanted a chance at a new life

  • They had heard stories of the riches in West America

• Many people were unable to afford to stay in the East of America

Farmland in Oregon, 1830s

• Settlers heard from traders about rich farmland on the West Coast and in Oregon

  • Traders had travelled on the Pacific Coast of America for many years

• It would be quicker and less expensive to find a route by land

  • The sea route to Oregon cost $300

    • An average farm labourer earned $11 a month

  • The sea route took a year

    • The route went around South America

  • Migrants could take all their possessions by wagon if there was a land route

• The Rocky Mountains formed a huge barrier to migrating to the West

  • Travellers needed a way through the mountains to reach Oregon

Why did Farmland in Oregon Increase Western Migration?

• Farmers could earn more in Oregon

  • They could grow more crops

  • There was less competition for farmland than in the East of America

• The economy in the East made Oregon look even better to relocate to

The Oregon Trail

• The Oregon Trail was the only practical land route to the West

  • The South Pass, a key section of the route, was found and advertised by Jedidiah Smith in 1825

  • Fur trappers began to clear and perfect this route

• The Oregon Trail became incredibly important

  • By 1836, the Oregon Trail was used for the first time with covered wagons

  • By the 1840s, groups as large as 900 people completed the trip

  • By 1869, 400,000 people had used the Oregon Trail to settle in the West

Why did the Oregon Trail Increase Western Migration?

• The Oregon Trail made western migration easier

• Many missionaries took the Oregon Trail

  • They wanted to travel to Oregon to convert Indigenous tribes to Christianity

• The US government encouraged settlers to use the Oregon Trail

  • In 1841, the government gave $30,000 for an expedition to map and publish the best way to get to Oregon

    • John Fremont led the expedition

    • Many migrants used Fremont's guidebook

    • The guidebook made the route sound exciting and achievable

• In 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad replaced the Oregon Trail as the main way to travel to the West

The Gold Rush, 1849

• Gold had been discovered in Sierra Nevada, California in 1848

• In April 1849, 100,000 people migrated to California to find gold

  • Many travelled to the West via the Oregon Trail

  • These migrants were called '49ers'

• California's economy and population boomed

  • Gold prospectors needed food, equipment, drink and entertainment

    • This encouraged more people to travel to California to provide these services

  • California's population grew from 15,000 in 1848 to 300,000 by 1855

• Some gold prospectors became very rich

  • Most migrants were unsuccessful and either:

    • Travelled back to the East

    • Settled in California

Consequences of the Gold Rush on the Development of the West

The Belief in Manifest Destiny

• Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was God's will for white, Christian settlers to control the whole of America

  • The intention was to spread Christianity across the country

  • White settlers believed they could 'civilise' the Indigenous population

Why did Manifest Destiny Increase Western Migration?

• The government encouraged Manifest Destiny to increase settlers travelling westward

  • Guidebooks like John Fremont demonstrated the value of Manifest Destiny

• White, Christian settlers believed that they had been given a mission by God to travel to the West

  • This made settlers resilient enough to overcome the problems of migration