There was many reasons for expansion in the 1800's. The first and most major I would say is because of the Gold Rush. People had a dream to one day be rich and the best way to do that was by discovering gold. The newly purchased teritories had gold and the word spread like wildfire. A second reason is because of all the free land. Places far out west had very cheap or in many cases even free land to be claimed and settled.
Industries moved west in the 1800s.
The pioneers started to move from the east and midwest to the west in the mid 1800s looking for gold and better life.
they were treated like all the other European immigrants that came to America. (but mostly treated unfairly)
The American pioneers migrated west in the late 1800s. They intended to settle new territories that had not already been developed by Europeans or Americans.
Most immigrants that traveled to the West in the 1800's, traveled by wagon train. A group of covered wagons, usually one or two families to a wagon, would form with a guide and travel the many trails that were opening up. Some traveled by railroad after the railroads were built.
Many former slaves moved west in the 1800s. Northerner's feared freed slaves would take their jobs. They did not want to stay in the hostile South.
Industries moved west in the 1800s.
The pioneers started to move from the east and midwest to the west in the mid 1800s looking for gold and better life.
To take part in the California Gold Rush
they were treated like all the other European immigrants that came to America. (but mostly treated unfairly)
They were seeking work and adventure, and some wanted land.
Open and in some cases free land and good natural resources.
There was more room and the ground was more fertile
California gold rush
More Money More Land More Businesses
Early Americans thought of the Area between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River as the western frontier.
Chinese, Irish, Germans and Scandinavians all immigrated to the U.S. throughout the 1800's. With all the immigrants coming to the United States, the Native Americans that were originally there were forced to move west or were following animals, but the immigrants that were coming in, also went on a journey called the "Oregon Trail", that they took to look for gold. During this process, African-Americans were also brought over as slaves, and fought with Mexicans that had joined the U.S.