American west

People  moved west because? .... Poverty and disease

. Government propaganda

. Gold rush

. overpoulation (from 14k - 353k )

. Banks collapsed CAUSING ECONOMIC DEPRESSION so people wanted to start a new life, all savings were lost

. Not enough jobs for overpopulation, therefore unemplyment grew

. government Homestead act of 1862 - allowed 160 acres free who occupied it for 5 years.

. Railways encouraged poeple to move quicker and more settlement

. Rumours of fertile land in the west.