Final answer:
Westward expansion had the intent of acquiring new territories for settlement and economic growth. The impact on black people was complex, with limited opportunities and continued enslavement in some areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The intent of westward expansion was primarily to acquire and develop new territories for settlement and economic growth. The impact it had on black people was complex and varied.
Intent of Westward Expansion:
- To fulfill the ideology of Manifest Destiny and spread American civilization across the continent.
- To acquire new land for agriculture, mining, and trade.
- To provide opportunities for white settlers to seek economic prosperity and social mobility.
Impact on Black People:
- For enslaved black people, westward expansion perpetuated slavery and further entrenched the institution in new territories.
- For free black people, westward expansion presented opportunities for economic advancement in some areas, such as in the California Gold Rush.
- However, discriminatory practices, racial violence, and the institution of slavery limited the overall opportunities and freedoms of black people in the expanding territories.