Final answer:
The appeal of the west for many Americans was a combination of seeking land, pursuing gold, and fulfilling the ideals of Manifest Destiny. This vision was about much more than just wealth; it was about expanding American ideals and seizing new territories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appeal of the west for many Americans was largely influenced by a combination of factors, including the desire for land, the search for gold, and the ideological push of Manifest Destiny. The discovery of gold in California indeed triggered a mass movement, as the allure of quick riches attracted thousands to the American West. However, the broader allure was more comprehensive, as Americans of the time were driven not just by the prospect of wealth but also by the belief in their divine right and responsibility to spread their ideals and inhabit new territories.
Manifest Destiny encapsulated this vision, encouraging Americans to conquer and prosper in the West. While the quest for gold was significant, it was the overall thirst for land and the perceived opportunity to spread predominantly American values that fueled much of the migration westward. This expansion was driven not only by individual aspirations but also by demographic, economic, and political pressures.