Push Factors Pull Factors In 1837 there was an economic crisis The promise of free farming land in in the East and the South of the USA. the west was appealing. However, the Many banks collapsed, people lost their sea-route to Oregon was very savings, businesses failed and expensive. The first land pass, the thousands lost their jobs. In some Oregon Trail, was publicised in 1825 by areas, unemployment was as high as Jedidiah Smith. 25% and those who still had a job In 1869 the Oregon Trail was replaced faced wage cuts of up to 40%. by the first transcontinental railroad. Jews, Amish, Mormons and other By this time, 400,000 people had religious groups wanted to live their migrated along the Oregon Trail. lives free from persecution. In 1848 and 1849, gold was discovered Land in the east was expensive, in the Sierra Nevada and California. especially for immigrants who Thousands of men travelled to find had begun to arrive in the 1840s. In gold meaning that California’s the West there was plenty of land population reached 300,000 by 1855. that could be free, cheap or bought at Manifest destiny led to the belief that a low rate (although could be pull as the white Americans had the right to well). populate all areas of America as it was fulfilling God’s will. In 1841 the US government provided $30,000 for an expedition to map the Oregon Trail and publish reports that would help migrants. John Fremont published these and made the journey sound exciting and achievable.
Push Factors Pull Factors In 1837 there was an economic crisis in the East and the South of the USA. Many banks collapsed, people lost their savings, businesses failed and thousands lost their jobs. In some areas, unemployment was as high as 25% and those who still had a job faced wage cuts of up to 40%. Jews, Amish, Mormons and other religious groups wanted to live their lives free from persecution. Land in the east was expensive, especially for immigrants who had begun to arrive in the 1840s. In the West there was plenty of land that could be free, cheap or bought at a low rate (although could be pull as well). The promise of free farming land in the west was appealing. However, the sea-route to Oregon was very expensive. The first land pass, the Oregon Trail, was publicised in 1825 by Jedidiah Smith. In 1869 the Oregon Trail was replaced by the first transcontinental railroad. By this time, 400,000 people had migrated along the Oregon Trail. In 1848 and 1849, gold was discovered in the Sierra Nevada and California. Thousands of men travelled to find gold meaning that California’s population reached 300,000 by 1855. Manifest destiny led to the belief that the white Americans had the right to populate all areas of America as it was fulfilling God’s will. In 1841 the US government provided $30,000 for an expedition to map the Oregon Trail and publish reports that would help migrants. John Fremont published these and made the journey sound exciting and achievable.
American%20West%20Pupil%20Booklet%20Unit%201.docx