U.S. Expansion Westward: Introduction
While the South was rebuilding, many people moved westward across the Mississippi to find their American dream on land that was inhabited by Native Americans. As the system of railroads expanded across the country, economic prosperity for Western states grew. In this section, we will trace the growth of the Transcontinental Railroad. We will examine policy written to attract people to move westward, and explore the lives of the different populations who chose to move. Lastly, we will examine conflicts with Native Americans as westward movement robbed them of their land and federal policy made it impossible for their way of life to thrive.
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