Final answer:
The move West in 'Western Wagons' poem and American folklore is attributed to the search for economic opportunities like gold mining, ideological motivations driven by Manifest Destiny, and the desire to flee the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the poem 'Western Wagons' and associated American folklore, there are several reasons for the move West which can be pinpointed within the historical context of the time. The three main reasons discussed include the pursuit of economic opportunities such as gold mining in California, the construct of Manifest Destiny, which was the cultural and philosophical belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent to spread democratic values, and the escape from the ravages and upheaval of the Civil War. Moreover, the completion of railroads facilitated transport and trade, further drawing people to the West. Despite the romanticized view of the West as a land of freedom and opportunity, the reality included the displacement of Native American tribes, diverse cultural clashes, and significant hardships for the settlers.
The western expansion was driven not solely by the desire for new land or riches but also by an ideology that justified the settlement and transformation of the region. This movement reshaped the nation's boundaries and cultural landscape, with lasting impacts on both the people who moved West and the indigenous populations who were already residing there.