Interactive Map: Westward Expansion & its Impact (1860-1890)

This essay analyzes the westward expansion of the United States from 1860 to 1890, focusing on the significant territorial changes, the development of railroad networks, and the displacement of indigenous communities. The essay draws parallels between this historical period and the modern growth of the internet, highlighting similarities in social interaction, multiculturalism, and economic activities. It discusses the impact of the Homestead Bill, the reorganization of territories, and the influence of the Pacific Railroad Acts. The conclusion emphasizes the role of technology in facilitating global connections and the exchange of ideas, drawing a comparison between the railway network's impact on westward expansion and the internet's impact on globalization.

INTERACTIVE MAP OF WESTWARD EXPANSION 1860-1890
History 102
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INTERACTIVE MAP OF WESTWARD EXPANSION 1860-1890
Introduction
The westward expansion from 1860 to 1890 experienced exponential growths. This culminated
in changes within the surrounding environment including major cities, railroad networks,
improved agricultural land, and states. These territories had natural barriers with native
communities. Territorial changes also led to changes in the population. The revolution in the
transport industry meant people were able to move westwards. The railway network supported
this migration process causing changes in the geological as well as political features. The
development of a railway system was instrumental in creating major changes (The West, 2001).
Among this was the displacement of local indigenous communities and the movement of people
from the East to the West. The result was an onset of economic and agricultural activities. An
example is the introduction of barbed wire fencing for protected lands and ranching for better
agriculture. An analysis of these major changes across cities is reminiscent of the modern growth
of the internet across the globe.
The 1860 Homestead Bill paved the way for improved agricultural land as Western settlers
received land grants. During this period, natural disasters like draught pushed settlers from
Kansas. The 1860s featured the reorganization of territories like Idaho, Arizona, Montana and
Nevada into local governments. Besides the political changes, Territories like St. Louis and
Cincinnati grew in population because of workers and farming activities. The Pacific Railroad
Acts passed by Congress encouraged the development of the railway and consequently
enterprises. States and Territories changed with external immigrants like the Chinese settling in
the Wyoming Territory as rail builders. This led to competition for jobs, segregation and racial
conflicts evidenced in the 1870s.

INTERACTIVE MAP OF WESTWARD EXPANSION 1860-1890
The 1879 United States Geological Survey was a coordination plan that identified effective
routes for the transcontinental railroad. This led to the merger between native cultures and
immigrants amidst native resistance. The 1880s-1890s experienced industrialization as economic
activities like mining and trade spread through. The period also saw major political shifts like
women participating in voting and the establishment of territories. The progressive development
of the West between 1860 and 1890 is similar to the global internet connection (Levitt &
Schiller, 2004). Innovation in a human system culminates into social interaction,
multiculturalism, and economic activities. The emergence of e-commerce, social media, and
online business is a cause and effect aspect of historical consequences. As people defy their local
culture in order to embrace a modern culture emergence under the internet influence. The
Americanization of the natives in 1987 is similar to the globalization of cultures.
In the same way that the railroad led to the transfer of people from one region to another, the
internet is a communication link. However, in this modern phenomenon, there are no treaties or
reliable rules to guide this interaction. A modern map of the world illustrating the growth of the
internet over the last thirty years. It demonstrates the new ways in which the world is connected
by facilitating the spread of ideas through instant communication (Web Map, 2018; Castells,
2011). The introduction of multiculturalism has consequences such as changes in lifestyle, mode
of dressing, language, entertainment, and food. The pop or celebrity culture is the new global
identity, similar to the American identity.

INTERACTIVE MAP OF WESTWARD EXPANSION 1860-1890
Conclusion
Social media allows people to discuss and engage in debates with friends, family, and strangers.
On a global network, everyone has the power to disseminate knowledge. The online platform
allows native learners to pursue higher education in international institutions. It also facilitates
the development of economic activities as brands from China, US, UK, Africa, Australia and the
world meet on a single platform. This is how the development of the railway network brought
about changes in the Westward expansion.

INTERACTIVE MAP OF WESTWARD EXPANSION 1860-1890
References
Castells, M. (1997). Power of identity: The information age: economic, society,
culture. Blackwell Publishers Inc. Retrieved from Blackwell Publishers.
The West. (2001). The west. Retrieved from PBS:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/events/1860_1870.htm
Web Map. (2018). Worldwide web-An interactive map. Retrieved from Web Map:
http://www.web-map.net/