Final answer:
The westward movement amplified the interplay between states and the federal government, with federal policies promoting expansion while also causing tensions, particularly in relation to Native American lands. This era highlighted the complexity of American federalism through both progress and exploitation, culminating in events such as the Indian Wars and the construction of transcontinental railroads.
Step-by-step explanation:
The westward movement had a significant impact on the relationship between the states and the federal government. The expansion was driven by various policies and incentives provided by the federal government, such as the Homestead Act, which allocated land to settlers, and the construction of the transcontinental railroad, which facilitated travel and commerce. This movement crystallized in events like the passage of the Pacific Railway Acts and the subsequent construction of the transcontinental railroads, demonstrating the pivotal role of federal initiatives. The expansion underscored the tension in American federalism - the balance of power between state sovereignty and the federal mandate to govern territories and manage resources. A notable event that proves this tension is the conflict between Native American tribes and the federal government, as settlers encroached upon indigenous lands leading to the Indian Wars. This friction showed the complexities of federal decisions and policies that often had diverse and profound impacts on different groups within the nation.
During the period of Western expansion between 1865 and 1890, the story of progress is interwoven with the story of exploitation and reflects both individual and collective action. The enduring lessons of the West revolve around the ambition to expand and the costs associated with it. The narrative of the West has sometimes been manipulated to emphasize certain mythic elements, such as cowboy culture, overshadowing the vital role of ordinary Americans and the federal policy in shaping the West.