Why Did Early Settlers Move West?

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A new start
Land was cheap and fertile
1 of 6
Economic problems
Wages & profits fell and unemployment rose
2 of 6
Government encouragement
Acts were passed that allowed settlers to claim land. This strengthened the USA's claim to the West.
3 of 6
Overpopulation
Overcrowded cities due to high levels of European immigration; fewer jobs and no land to farm
4 of 6
Gold
Gold was found in John Sutter's sawmill in California in January 1848. This would later start the gold rush of 1849.
5 of 6
Disease
Overcrowding and poor sanitary systems caused epidemics of yellow fever and cholera.
6 of 6

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Wages & profits fell and unemployment rose

Back

Economic problems

Card 3

Front

Acts were passed that allowed settlers to claim land. This strengthened the USA's claim to the West.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Overcrowded cities due to high levels of European immigration; fewer jobs and no land to farm

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Gold was found in John Sutter's sawmill in California in January 1848. This would later start the gold rush of 1849.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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