Unit 7 DBQ
Jack Donahue
Mr. Peoples
AP United States History
20 March 2014
Unit 7 DBQ By taking full advantage of the technological advances that occurred between 1865 and 1900, Americans began to inhabit what was believed to be the inhabitable West. This caused an agricultural revolution in these new territories, as production of many staple crops moved westward. Farmers that chose to make this move became aggravated by the government policy and economic conditions that ultimately seemed to inhibit their success. Innovations in the technology industry were the driving force of this time period. For example, the maps in Doc B show the spike in railroad production across the nation, not just near major cities. This provided jobs for recent immigrants to make the railroads and a mechanism for individuals to reach the West. Also, once the new land was reached, advances in agricultural tools, such as the plow shown in Doc D, helped farmers to work land that would never be attempted to be used in years past without said tools. Westerners refused to be walked all over, and when they were disgruntled by government policy, they put their foot down. For example, in Doc C, individuals worked together to pass laws and ensure they were not taken advantage of by the railroad companies. But it did not stop there. Doc G demonstrates true contempt towards the East. Legislation such as the Homestead Act helped farmers reach the West, but once they reached the West, it was up to the individual to fend for themselves. Doc A shows the prices of the crops grown in the West. Between 1865 and 1900, there was a very consistent decline in prices. This would destroy life in the west as the everyday struggle would worsen with less money. Other government policy that westerners were not content with was Indian treatment. Doc I shows how Westerners wished for even harsher treatment, in order to allow white man’s expansion to continue.
Mr. Peoples
AP United States History
20 March 2014
Unit 7 DBQ By taking full advantage of the technological advances that occurred between 1865 and 1900, Americans began to inhabit what was believed to be the inhabitable West. This caused an agricultural revolution in these new territories, as production of many staple crops moved westward. Farmers that chose to make this move became aggravated by the government policy and economic conditions that ultimately seemed to inhibit their success. Innovations in the technology industry were the driving force of this time period. For example, the maps in Doc B show the spike in railroad production across the nation, not just near major cities. This provided jobs for recent immigrants to make the railroads and a mechanism for individuals to reach the West. Also, once the new land was reached, advances in agricultural tools, such as the plow shown in Doc D, helped farmers to work land that would never be attempted to be used in years past without said tools. Westerners refused to be walked all over, and when they were disgruntled by government policy, they put their foot down. For example, in Doc C, individuals worked together to pass laws and ensure they were not taken advantage of by the railroad companies. But it did not stop there. Doc G demonstrates true contempt towards the East. Legislation such as the Homestead Act helped farmers reach the West, but once they reached the West, it was up to the individual to fend for themselves. Doc A shows the prices of the crops grown in the West. Between 1865 and 1900, there was a very consistent decline in prices. This would destroy life in the west as the everyday struggle would worsen with less money. Other government policy that westerners were not content with was Indian treatment. Doc I shows how Westerners wished for even harsher treatment, in order to allow white man’s expansion to continue.