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Factors leading to the settlement of the Frontier

Factors leading to the settlement of the Frontier. Availability of Cheap Land. Homestead Act – 1862 160 acres of land free if settled within 5 years. Promotion of Scientific Agricultural Education. 1862 Morrill Act

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Factors leading to the settlement of the Frontier

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  1. Factors leading to the settlement of the Frontier

  2. Availability of Cheap Land • Homestead Act – 1862 • 160 acres of land free if settled within 5 years

  3. Promotion of Scientific Agricultural Education • 1862 Morrill Act • allocated 17,400,000 acres of federal land, which when sold, raised $7.55 million to support the creation of land-grant colleges, • in order to promote the “ liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life”.

  4. Railroads • Government land grants allowed for completion of transcontinental routes • Facilitated movement of goods and people • Ended frontier isolation

  5. Discovery of Precious Metals • Encouraged the adventurous to move West to find their fortune

  6. Destruction of the Buffalo and Confinement of Native Americans • “obstacles” to settlement were removed

  7. Importance of the Frontier in American Life

  8. Frederick Jackson Turner’s “Frontier Thesis” The Frontier had a major role in shaping the American character: • It was a safety valve for the discontented • It promoted individual self-reliance – survival, inventiveness • It promoted social equality – no class distinctions; everyone was equal with the same opportunities (social mobility)

  9. It promoted economic opportunities • There were resources and land available • It promoted the growth of democracy • The West was the first to adopt democratic reforms • Women’s right to vote (Colorado & Wyoming) • Direct election of US Senators • Use of political primaries to choose candidates for political office

  10. Close of the Frontier in 1890 • 1890 – Government announced no more unexplored or unsettled land existed within the U.S. • Our foreign policy is then adjusted to promote increased foreign trade and expansion of foreign markets • It encouraged many to support a move to obtain overseas colonies (a “new frontier”) (imperialism) • The U.S. began to realize limits in space and resources - need to promote conservation of resources and immigration restrictions

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