The West underwent through an era of prosperity after the Civil War. It is worth noting that the population growth in states, especially California led to tremendous consequences. Some of the key areas of focus include farming, living standards, western landscape, the growth of India reserves, subjugation of Indian people, as well as railroad constructions. On the same note, America was involved in the Pacific region in the late 19th century due to commerce. There is a relationship between the population increase, Civil war, and economic growth. In the general perspective, it is evident that after the Civil War America experienced tremendous growth.
The period after American Civil War, United States was marked by the expansion of agriculture and industry, as well as settlements of people across various states. Studies show that the population of United States, especially states such as California increased during this period. The economic growth was mostly concentrated in the Plains, Northwest, and Midwest. It is evident that after the Civil War, the population increased, and urban centers began to develop. As economic indicators, there was need to expand cities and transport network in order to accommodate the increasing population.
Innovation is one of the critical impacts of the civil war is the innovation. In addition, after the civil war patent issues increased meaning many people in the United States focused on innovation. Most of the patent rights and issues were mostly from industrial machinery. These marked the beginning of improvements in various sectors of the economy. On the same note, the natural resource also was the backbone of American West economic resource.
Farming is of the issues that greatly influence economic growth in the West. The West included the Washington, Oregon, and California. Few Americans lived in the West since they viewed little rains and extreme temperatures as a barrier towards farming. Focusing on farming is the West is an indication of the consequences and growth in the West. Farm tools and equipment’s improved, which helped in the farming practice along the plains. Some of the new tools included reaper and steel plow. After the civil war, the creation of barbed wire enhanced livestock farming. In fact, most people in the West began to keep livestock besides other farming practices. The more Western land was developed after the Civil War, which improved cattle rearing. The ranches began in the West and many cattle farming were improved. The farming in the West was also promoted by the increased demand for food and dairy products. The growing population in the urban cities increased the demand for products, which shifted the pressure of farmers in the west to supply more.
The development of transcontinental railroad was a major boost to the West, especially in the growth and development. The construction of the railroad was carried out by Chinese immigrants, who were paid. These did not only create employment, but it also enhanced the transportation of agricultural products from the West to other parts. The Railroad also promoted Western industrialization. These are because it brought several farming supplies, construction materials, goals, as well as the materials demanded by people in the West. The people in the East also tasted the products from the West due to enhanced transportation.
The subjugation of Indians and growth of Indian reservations is one of the consequences that are associated with growth in the West. There was warfare between the Indians and settlers. The legal designations were developed in the West. The civilized tribes tried to remove the India’s and other people living in the native land. The India’s fought to preserve their land from the Whites who were trying to encroach. America became involved in the Pacific region because of business and commerce. The stronger presence of United States across the Pacific streamlined commerce in the Western region. The maritime expansion in the Pacific was driven by the business in the region. The foreign policy changes also enhanced commerce in the region. The demand for profits and benefits from China trade increased the motive of United States to enter the Pacific region. The expansion of commerce along the Pacific changed the position of America in the world.
Bibliography
Goggans, Jan. The Pacific region. Westport, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press, 2004
Maddison, Angus. Growth and interaction in the world economy: the roots of modernity. Washington, D.C.: AEI Press, 2005
Nash, Gerald D. The American West transformed: the impact of the Second World War. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2010
