United States Essay

The Westward Expansion of the United States

The United States was enlarging its borders westward between 1870 and 1890 as a result of population growth, a need for new land, commercial interests, and military needs. Native Americans and Hispanic settlers who had found the region were already living there. These original West region inhabitants were displaced by the American migration. Since these leaders were the first to support the nation’s growth, the president and congressmen of the US gave the Indian and Hispanic residents less support. Reformers began educational programs and institutions like the Carlisle Indian School, which produced Indian leaders like Navajo Tom Torino, in order to integrate the Indians into the American community. However, some tribes rebelled against the American troop which ignited violence. Joseph was the leader of the Nez Pierce tribe which was ordered to live the West, but they refused. American soldiers escorted the Nez Perce for about 8 kilometers up to the Wounded Knee Creek where the battle began. After fighting for five days, Nez Perce suffered most casualties with almost half of the warriors killed which made Chief Joseph to create the surrender speech in 1877 at Bears Paw. After the civil war, the railroads were constructed, and people were allowed to kill bison leading to the shipping of the hides for sugar and fertilizer refining.

Question Two

During the conquest of the West, American troops were the winners while the Native Americans were losers. People from other parts of the United States invaded the western part and assimilated the Indians as well as Hispanics. Moreover, individuals from the South acquired more land for farming as well as expanding the market for their goods.

Bibliography

Locke, Joseph, and Ben Wright. The American Yawp: A Free and Online, Collaboratively Built American History Textbook. United States: AmericanYawp.com, 2014.