Photo Analysis:
I chose the photo of the native americans riding horses beacause I wanted an example of what life in the west was like before people starting settling their during the mid-1800's. The land contained no railroads, no industries, no developments. Just clear land filled with grass.
Political Theme: Railroads
The railroads brought with them people which caused settlements to spring up aloing the way. The most important aspect is that it allowed the west to open up, meaning trade could occur faster and more efficiently. Cattle could be shipped as well as people for transportation, but primarily agricultural goods. Railroads were the most influential aspect to settling the west.
Economic Theme: California Gold Rush
After John Marshall located gold in California in 1948, people started flocking to the west. The first people to hear of the gold rush were citizens from Oregon, Hawaii, and Latin America. Sure enough they quickly made their move over to California. The effects of the Gold Rush were substantial. San Francisco grew from a small settlement of about 200 residents in 1846 to a boomtown of about 36,000 by 1852. Roads, churches, schools and other towns were built throughout California. In 1849 a state constitution was written, a governor and legislature chosen and California became a state in 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850.
Social Theme: Chinese and Irish Immigrants
Many chinese and irish immigrants came over to the United States to help buy the trans-continental railroad. Irish immigrants were fleeing famine in Ireland. Chinese immigrants came over to the United States in search of oppertunity.
How did settling the west lead to Industrialization/Immigration?
Settling in the West had many positivies. There was the start of the Trans-continental railroad, the California gold rush in 1849. These factors definitly contributed to immigration. The economy was booming in the United States in the mid-1800's. Also, with settling in the west came in Industrialization. More industries were starting up in the United States