USI.8b

a) Geographic factors- reasons for moving based upon the land

b) Economic factors- reasons for moving based upon economic opportunities

c) Overland trails- migration routes

a) Population growth- the eastern states became more and more crowded during the early 1800s

b) Farmlands were being overworked & large plantations in the south were leaving no room for small farmers

c) If Americans would move into the new western territories, there were huge areas of land available at cheap prices! 2.5 acres of land only cost $1.24!

a) Water transportation was cheap & fast thanks to the many newfound rivers & the newly built man-made canals in the west.

b) The Ohio & Mississippi Rivers became important transportation & communication routes for people & goods.

c) The steamboat was recently invented by Robert Fulton. Because of its speed, it was the main form of water transportation.

d) The Erie Canal, in New York state, was 363 miles long. It was used to connect the eastern and western territories.

a) Oregon Trail- Missouri to Oregon. 2,000 miles, it took 6months!

b) Santa Fe Trail- Missouri to New Mexico. 1,200 miles, it took 8 weeks!

c) Dangers on the trails: storms, diseases, Indians, food shortages, and bandits!

New territories = cheap and plentiful farm land! Farmers left the rocky soil of the northeast for this new fertile land. It was very cheap, and some was even free!

a) Discovery of gold in Californiab) 1849- California Gold Rush- people from all

over the US rushed to California in hopes of striking it rich.

c) 49ers- Nickname for people who were going to California to find gold.

Manifest Destiny- "It is America's right to stretch from sea to shining sea. Not only do we have a responsibility to our citizens to gain valuable natural resources we also have a responsibility to civilize this beautiful land."