Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
What Factors Encouraged Migration West (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Natasha Smith
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
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
Examiner Tips and Tricks
In your revision, it is helpful to consider the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors behind certain events. ‘Push’ factors are events or motivations for someone to act. The downturn in the East USA economy caused high unemployment. This ‘pushed’ many settlers to travel westward. ‘Pull’ factors are benefits from performing an action. Oregon had high-quality farmland for growing crops. This ‘pulled’ migrants to travel to the West as they could gain more wealth than staying in the East. Considering the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors will help you to explain why thousands of people travelled to the West in this period.
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
Positive consequences | Negative consequences |
|---|---|
California became a state in 1850 due to its large number of US citizens | The rapid migration to California led to problems with law and order among white settlers |
It encouraged more people to migrate west as they could achieve success and freedom in California | The new migrants did not respect the Indigenous population. They murdered or enslaved Indigenous peoples |
California had rich farmland. The USA began to export food products across the world | Many gold prospectors did not find gold. They returned to the East poorer than they had been before |
The Gold Rush raised enough money to start the Transcontinental Railroad project | Indigenous peoples were driven out of their native lands |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The Gold Rush links to many events that happened in the American West course, for example, issues with law and order, conflict with the Indigenous peoples and the Transcontinental Railroad. This is important for this exam. You will be assessed on your ability to:
Explain the consequences of an event
Write a narrative account of the period
Explain why events are important for key themes across the course
Ensure you have a good knowledge of the Gold Rush and consider how it links to other aspects of the American West course.
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
Worked Example
Explain one consequence of the concept of Manifest Destiny for migration
4 marks
Answer:
One consequence of Manifest Destiny was how it increased migration. Manifest Destiny was the belief in a God-given right to occupy America. This increased migration because white, Christian settlers believed that they had been given a mission by God to travel to the West. They felt that it was their duty to settle across the USA and overcome the challenges of migration. Therefore, Manifest Destiny was an important factor in encouraging white, Christian settlers to move from East to West America.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A high-standard response to this question needs to explain how Manifest Destiny impacted migration. There are many different approaches to this question. You could explain how Manifest Destiny influenced the way that white, Christian settlers treated Indigenous peoples. Ensure that you explain in detail using specific own knowledge how Manifest Destiny caused your chosen consequence to occur.
This question has previously asked you to explain two consequences. In the American West exam paper for 2025, this question will ask you to explain one consequence. However, there will be two different "Explain one consequence of" questions each, worth four marks.
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