As settlers from the eastern United States moved into the southwestern United States during the 19th century, several significant issues and conflicts arose:
1. **Native American Displacement:** Settlers often encroached upon Native American lands, leading to forced displacement and conflicts with indigenous peoples who had long inhabited the region.
2. **Water Rights and Scarcity:** Water resources, particularly in arid regions like the Southwest, became a source of contention. Competition for water rights and disputes over water allocation were common.
3. **Border Conflicts:** The southwestern region bordered Mexico, and as settlers moved in, there were disputes and conflicts over the border, which eventually contributed to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).
4. **Conflict Over Slavery:** The issue of slavery played a significant role in the settlement of the Southwest, especially in areas like Texas. The Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 attempted to address the question of whether these new territories would allow slavery.
5. **Cultural and Language Conflicts:** The influx of settlers from the eastern United States often clashed with the existing Mexican and Hispanic populations in the region, leading to cultural and language conflicts.
6. **Infrastructure and Governance:** As settlers moved in, there were challenges in establishing governance, infrastructure, and law enforcement. Many regions lacked effective governance, leading to lawlessness and conflicts.
7. **Land Ownership and Land Grants:** Land ownership was a contentious issue, with disputes over land grants and titles. Many settlers and speculators laid claim to land that had been previously granted by the Mexican government.
8. **Resource Exploitation:** The Southwest was rich in resources, including minerals and fertile land. The rush to exploit these resources sometimes led to environmental degradation and disputes over property rights.
9. **Conflict with Mexican-Americans:** Relations between the newly arrived settlers and the Mexican-American population in the region were often strained, leading to tensions and conflicts.
These issues reflect the complex history of the southwestern United States as it transitioned from a sparsely populated and culturally diverse region to one marked by significant demographic and political changes due to eastern migration.