Final answer:
In 1841, the Bidwell-Bartleson party set out from Independence, Missouri as part of the westward migration driven by the desire for land and prosperity. This movement was pivotal to the expansion of the United States and was influenced by events like the California Gold Rush and the Homestead Act.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bidwell-Bartleson Party and the Westward Expansion
In 1841, the Bidwell-Bartleson party, a group of over 60 people, assembled in Independence, Missouri, to embark on the arduous journey westward to California. This event was part of a larger movement of westward migration, spurred by events such as the California Gold Rush of 1849 and the prospect of land and prosperity in the West. Independence, being the last settlement on the western frontier, was a critical jumping-off point for many who took the California and Oregon Trails.
The route was fraught with dangers such as disease, accidents, and the elements. The desire for economic opportunity, the appeal of the democratic vision, and the Homestead Act of 1862, which granted free land, all contributed to the expansion of the American frontier. Despite the hazards, the allure of the West and the promise of Manifest Destiny encouraged thousands to move west, shaping the history and geography of the United States during the 19th century.
The California Gold Rush and the expansion of official states across the continental United States marked the progress of settlement and are key historical aspects of understanding the westward movement and the evolution of the country.