Question

Which of the following contributed to the westward expansion of the United States?

O 1. European warships attacked the Eastern coast of America, forcing citizens to move West for safety.
O
2. Many citizens felt it was their right and duty to move West
O 3. Most of the land east of the Mississippi River was not suitable for farming.
O 4. The standard of living on the Pacific Coast was very high, so many people wanted to move there

Answer 1

The westward expansion of the United States was driven by a belief in Manifest Destiny, the unsuitability of land east of the Mississippi River for farming, and the allure of opportunities on the Pacific Coast.

Step-by-step explanation:

Many citizens felt it was their right and duty to move West during the westward expansion of the United States. The idea of Manifest Destiny emerged, which was the belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory across the continent. This belief fueled the desire of many Americans to settle and claim new lands in the West.

Additionally, most of the land east of the Mississippi River was not suitable for farming, which pushed settlers to move to the fertile lands in the West. The Homestead Act of 1862 also played a significant role in promoting westward expansion by offering free land to settlers who were willing to develop and improve it.

While the standard of living on the Pacific Coast was high, it was not a direct cause of westward expansion. However, the discovery of gold in California during the Gold Rush of 1849 attracted thousands of people to migrate to the West in search of wealth and new opportunities.

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