Why was the West attractive to so many settlers? Identify one positive effect and one negative effect of the westward movement.
(4 points)
Six sentences
Compressed
The West was attractive to many settlers due to the promise of abundance and opportunity. The abundance of land and natural resources in the West provided settlers with the chance to acquire and cultivate their own property. This offered the prospect of economic prosperity and self-sufficiency. Additionally, the West was seen as an escape from crowded cities and the constraints of social hierarchies prevalent in the East.
One positive effect of the westward movement was the expansion of the United States' territory and influence. The Westward expansion helped secure the nation's borders and added new territories, leading to the eventual growth and development of the United States as a global power.
On the other hand, one negative effect of the westward movement was the displacement and mistreatment of Native American tribes. As settlers moved west, they encroached upon Native American lands, resulting in conflicts and the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral territories. This led to the loss of indigenous lands, culture, and livelihoods, creating lasting grievances and inequalities.