Final answer:
Both push and pull factors played important roles in individuals' decision to move out west, but pull factors were more influential. The promise of free land, better opportunities, and a new frontier attracted people to the West and outweighed the negative push factors like overcrowding and poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the influence on people's decision to move out west, both push and pull factors played important roles. Push factors, such as overcrowding in the East and the desire to escape poverty, forced people to make changes and seek new opportunities in the West. On the other hand, pull factors, such as advertising by railroad companies and the Homestead Act offering free land, attracted people to move out west.
However, it can be argued that pull factors were more influential in people's decision to move out west. The lure of free land, the promise of a better life, and the opportunities presented by the expanding frontier were strong motivators for individuals and families to venture into the unknown. These pull factors provided a sense of hope and possibility, enticing people to take the risk of leaving behind their familiar lives in the East.
Overall, both push and pull factors worked in conjunction to shape the movement of Americans out west. While push factors provided the force that prompted individuals to seek change, it was the pull factors that had a greater influence in convincing people to embark on the journey westward.
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