Final answer:
Yes, the Industrial Revolution can be considered a cause of Westward Expansion. The rapid growth of industrialization and the need for resources and markets played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States. This was facilitated by the development of new technologies, the transcontinental railroad, and government policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the Industrial Revolution can be considered a cause of Westward Expansion. During the Industrial Revolution, there was a rapid growth in industrialization, including the development of new technologies and manufacturing processes. This led to increased production and the need for raw materials and markets to sell the goods.
The western states in the United States held vast mineral resources that were essential for industries, and the transcontinental railroad provided the means to transport these resources to the industrial centers in the east. The expansion of industrialization and the need for resources and markets played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States.
Furthermore, the Industrial Revolution led to urbanization, with people moving from rural areas to cities for employment in factories. As the population grew and land became scarce in the east, people began to migrate westward in search of new opportunities and land to settle. This westward migration was also facilitated by government policies such as the Homestead Act, which provided free land to settlers.