DAY 1 LEAP PREP - Was Westward Expansion Worth the Cost?

Activity 1 — Causes & Effects Reading

During the 1800s, the United States expanded westward as settlers moved beyond the Mississippi River. Many Americans believed in Manifest Destiny, the idea that it was the nation's destiny and right to expand across the continent. This belief encouraged families, farmers, and businesses to move west in search of land and opportunity.

The federal government strongly supported westward expansion. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered settlers 160 acres of land if they agreed to live on and farm it. The government also invested in railroads, which made it faster and cheaper to travel, trade goods, and communicate across long distances. New states were formed, and the nation’s economy grew as farming, mining, and trade expanded.

However, westward expansion caused serious harm to Native American tribes. Native peoples were forced off their ancestral lands through broken treaties and military force. Many were relocated to reservations during events such as the Trail of Tears, where thousands died from disease, starvation, and exposure. Native American cultures, traditions, and ways of life were disrupted or destroyed.

Westward expansion also increased disagreements over slavery. As new territories were formed, Americans argued over whether slavery should be allowed to expand west. These conflicts deepened sectional tensions between the North and South and helped lead to the Civil War.

Westward expansion helped the United States grow in size, wealth, and power, but it came at a high human cost. Historians continue to debate whether the benefits outweighed the consequences.

Directions: Read each statement. Decide whether it shows a benefit (Pro) or a cost (Con) of westward expansion.

Railroads connected the East and West, improving trade and travel.

Native American tribes were forced to leave their land and move to reservations.

Farmers gained free or cheap land through the Homestead Act.

The United States gained access to valuable natural resources such as gold and farmland.

Many Native Americans died during forced removals.

Conflicts increased between settlers, Native Americans, and the U.S. Army.

New states joined the Union, increasing the nation’s size and influence.

Native American cultures and traditions were disrupted or destroyed.

Western expansion created new jobs and economic opportunities.

Arguments over slavery in new territories increased sectional tensions.

Reflection Question:

Which side—pro or con—has stronger evidence in your opinion? Use at least one example from the list above.

Write an extended response to the prompt below.

Was westward expansion worth the cost?