The Benefits Of Manifest Destiny

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The nineteenth century played an era of expansion in the United States, where citizens dispersed westward of the country and the American economy further developed. The rapid growth led to Manifest Destiny, where many believed the evolution of the nation during this time was simply an inevitable event. Although there were negatives that came with this, the benefits of Manifest Destiny ultimately outweigh them. The development of the United States during Manifest Destiny comprehended a number of consequences. First, the California Gold Rush resulted in Native Americans losing their lives and land. Natives living in California plummeted by approximately 90,000. This was mainly caused by miners who felt they were in the way of gold. Due to the …show more content…

First, the westward migration during Manifest Destiny helped the U.S. to expand, along with improving transportational features. As eastern America became more crowded, the cheap land west made it easier for citizens to disperse across the country. The vast numbers of migrators called for better modes of transportation such as roads, ferries, and bridges. These allowed for a shorter trip west. Second, the building of the transcontinental railroad helped to develop America and its economy. Before the railroad was constructed, it took about one month to transport goods from New York to California; however, the trains allowed for the same distance travelled in one week.. Citizens also were given the opportunity to travel for cheaper with the new railroads; prices had dropped from $1,000 to $150. Today, the U.S. relies heavily on this as 40% of shipments come from either trains or trucks. Finally, the California Gold Rush contributed to the growth of the most populated state in America today. The discovery of gold in California was a reason for the transcontinental railroad to be built, which helped San Francisco develop, for the terminus was located there. The skyrocketing population led to a large increase in buildings such as stores, schools, and libraries. The quick development of California caused it to be granted statehood by 1850, two years after the discovery of gold there, which helped tie the west of the United States to the east. From the California Gold Rush to new forms of transportation, many new changes were made in the Unites

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