The Prosperous West: The American Dream

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The Prosperous West After the Civil War, Americans began setting their eyes on a new promising venter, The Western Frontier, land that was hoped to expand the growing American empire, and provide resources that would promote prosperity within the economy. Although this great migration proved rather fatal to the Native Americans, as they were forced into reservations, it also proved extremely beneficial to a variety of different groups. People seeking a fresh start or refuge, such as the African Americans and immigrants, entrepreneurs, taking the form as farmers an miners, and growing corporations, were all optimistic in the idea of creating their own forms of the American Dream in the rough terrain of The Western Frontier. Although the Civil …show more content…

“Settlers were attracted by gold and silver deposits, by the shortgrass pastures for cattle and sheep, and ultimately by the sod of the plains and the meadowlands of the mountains, which they discovered were suitable for farming and ranching” (Brinkley 440). Along with the various opportunities that immigrants believed would help them strike it rich in America, the addition of land proved an opportunity for another great migration into America with the promise of plenty of land for a cheap price thanks to the Homestead Act of …show more content…

Many people form the Eastern side of the United States moved their entire lives in hopes of creating a prosperous farm or striking it rich in the mining industry. Although the terrain was extremely rough and providing water to the acres of crops was at times tricky, people chose to look towards the positive of the idealistic climate and establish ranches and farms across the entirety of the West. With the completion of the railroad, accessibility into the West to bring and export supplies and crops became easier allowing farmers and cattle ranchers greater profit by moving to the West. Although the idea of creating a prosperous farm in the West was romanticized by Americans it quickly proved difficult and the farming culture was nearly swept out due to open-range cattle, a massive drought starting in 1887, and increased prices of supplies (Brinkley 459). Mining on the other hand proved extremely prosperous for few, and remained a prominent aspect of Western life for centuries to come. Thanks to the Gold Rush of 1848, Colorado Rush of 1859, and the Comstock Lode of 1858 a fortunate few struck it rich off of the plentiful amounts of resources from below the earth's surface (Brinkley 442-443). Although some minorities and ordinary people were able to find a small fortune in the West the most fortunate groups were large

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