Analyzing the Expansion Period in the United States During 1860-1890

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Analyzing the expansion period in the United States during 1860-1890 Throughout history, there have been many advancements. One period of rapid expansion was the period between 1860 and 1890. What is the definition of expansion? The meaning of expansion is known by many. The expansion is a process in which an area is expanded or becomes exponentially larger than what it was previously. In this case, the United States grew immensely between the 1860s and 1890s. What caused this expansion? Many positive impacts promoted development and led to innovation. Although these benefits helped America, one would often argue that there were also adverse effects were linked to the positive results noted throughout history. The first notable movement that promoted expansion was the Louisiana Purchase which was put into action by Thomas Jefferson. Thomas …show more content…

One can not only look at the positives when apparent negatives are visible as well. One has discussed many positives throughout the development of the west. Some positives such as the Louisiana purchase, the invention of farming tools, land expansion due to civil war were a few. Other positive impacts such were the transcontinental railroad, the invention of barbed wire and the increase of immigration were other positives to westward expansion. Unfortunately, there were also negative impacts due to western expansion as well. Some adverse effects discussed was the loss and death of thousandths of Native Americans based on the Indian Removal Act, over cultivation of lands which left areas stripped and the thousands of deaths during the Civil War. The final negative impact being the death and almost extinction of buffalo in which Natives used as their primary food source. America is a great nation, but looking back to the beginning of this great country one must not only look and the positive impacts but adverse impacts of western expansion as

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