Westward Expansion Unites
and Divides the United States
Throughout the history of the United States, various forces have worked
to unify the country while, at the same time, other forces have worked to
divide the country. Examining this tension between unity and division help
us learn about the history of the country. This report will explore how the
westward expansion of the United States during and after the Civil War is an
example of these conflicting forces.
During the Civil War era, certain advances in technology helped to unite
U.S. territory west of the Mississippi with the rest of the United States.
For example, by 1861, the transcontinental telegraph line connected San
Francisco to the East Coast.1 The telegraph enabled messages to be sent in
a matter of seconds instead of months. The building of the transcontinental
railroad was another major technological accomplishment. Finished in 1869,
this rail line connected California with the eastern United States. Within
about thirty years, five transcontinental lines were built.2 These railroads
united the various regions of the United States. They also reduced coast-tocoast travel time from six months or more to about one week. In addition,
because of the ease and speed of train travel, the settlement of the West rose
dramatically.3
However, the railroad gave rise to a major economic division in the
United States. The railroad companies began to charge farmers high fees
to transport crops to market. Also, the railroads often owned the grain
elevators where farmers stored crops until shipment. The farmers had to
pay high costs for this storage. On top of this, in the 1870s, the price of farm
crops dropped because of overproduction.4
The high railroad rates and lower crop prices drove many farmers into
debt and increased the division between the “haves” and “have nots”
in U.S. society. The heads of the railroad companies kept getting richer,
and farmers, in general, kept getting poorer. Some leaders encouraged
1
2
3
4
“Development of the telegraph industry,” Encyclopaedia Britannia Online, 23 November 2005,
<http://www.eb.com/>.
“Railroad,” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2001.
“First Transcontinental Railroad,” Wikipedia, 12 November 2005, <http://en.wikipedia.org>.
McDougal Littell, Creating America: Beginnings through World War I, (Evanston: McDougal Littell,
a division of Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006) 576, 577.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
1
farmers to stand up for their rights. Activist speaker Mary Elizabeth Lease
stated, “We will not pay our debts to the loan-shark companies until the
Government pays its debts to us.”5
Inspired by such leaders, many farmers, especially in the Midwest and
West, united to form an organization called the Grange. Founded in 1867, the
Grange actually was made up of many smaller chapters or Granges. In fact,
by 1875, more than 21,000 Granges with about 850,000 members existed.
The Grange represented the needs of the farmers and opposed the unfair
practices of the railroad. Soon the Grange helped to secure state laws that
limited railroad rates.6
Although the settlement of the West helped to unify the United States, it
also increased one of the deepest divisions in U.S. history. This division was
between Native Americans and non-native peoples of the United States. As
increasing numbers of settlers, prospectors, and ranchers moved west of
the Mississippi, they began to trespass on Native American reservations. As
a result, conflict arose between Native Americans and the U.S. government,
which usually supported the trespassers. This conflict led to the Indian
Wars, a series of battles between Native Americans and U.S. military.7
Several atrocities against the Native Americans, such as the Wounded Knee
Massacre, were committed.8 In 1890, the Indian Wars ended.9 However,
the division between Native Americans and the non-native peoples of the
United States remained and still exists to this day. U.S. citizenship was not
granted to all Native Americans until 1924. Recently, many tribes have gone
to court to regain lost lands or to receive payment for them.10
These examples from the Civil War era illustrate the forces of unity and
division in U.S. history. Even in today’s world, technological advances, such
as the Internet and cell phones, continue to enhance communications and
unite people. At the same time, the gulf between the “haves” and “have
nots” keeps on increasing, and political divisions are stronger than ever. As
we move into the 21st century, the forces of unity and division will therefore
continue to have a major impact on the development of our country.
5
“The Populist Uprising” in Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, Vol. II, 1918.
“Grange, National,” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2001.
7 Indian policy,” Encyclopaedia Britannia Online, 23 November 2005, <http://www.eb.com/>.
8 “Indian wars,” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2001
9 “West of the Mississippi (1861-1890),” Wikipedia, 2005, <http://en.wikipedia.org>.
10 “Indian, American,” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2001
6
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
2
Bibliography
Primary Sources
Lease, Mary Elizabeth quoted in “The Populist Uprising” by Elizabeth N.
Barr in Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, Vol. II.
II Chicago: Lewis,
1918.
Web sites
“Development of the telegraph industry.” Encyclopaedia Britannia
Online. 2005. Encyclopaedia Britannica 23 November 2005 <http://www.
eb.com/>.
“First Transcontinental Railroad.” Wikipedia
Wikipedia. 2005. Wikipedia 12
November 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org>.
“Indian policy.” Encyclopaedia Britannia Online.
Online 2005. Encyclopaedia
Britannica 23 November 2005 <http://www.eb.com/>.
“West of the Mississippi (1861-1890).” Wikipedia
Wikipedia. 2005. Wikipedia 2005
<http://en.wikipedia.org>.
Encyclopedia articles
“Grange, National.” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia.
Encyclopedia 2001.
Greene, Jerome A. (contributor). “Indian wars.” World Book Multimedia
Encyclopedia. 2001 Kolata, Alan L., Fixico, Donald L., Neely,
Encyclopedia
Sharlotte. (contributors). “Indian, American.” World Book Multimedia
Encyclopedia. 2001.
Encyclopedia
Withuhn, William L.(contributor). “Railroad.” World Book Multimedia
Encyclopedia. 2001.
Encyclopedia
Books
McDougal Littell. Creating America: Beginnings through World War I.
I
Evanston: McDougal Littell, a division of Houghton Mifflin Company,
2006. 576-577.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
3
Westward Expansion Unites and Divides the United States
Organization
A research report has three basic parts: the introduction, the body, and the
conclusion. The introduction states the thesis, or main idea. The body provides
supporting details for your thesis The conclusion can summarize or restate your
thesis and also connect your report to life today.
Westward Expansion Unites and Divides the United States
introduction
Throughout the history of the United States, various forces have worked
to unify the country while, at the same time, other forces have worked to
divide the country. Examining this tension between unity and division help
us learn about the history of the country. This report will explore how the
westward expansion of the United States during and after the Civil War is
thesis
an example of these conflicting forces.
During the Civil War era, certain advances in technology helped to unite
U.S. territory west of the Mississippi with the rest of the United States.
supporting
details
For example, by 1861, the transcontinental telegraph line connected San
Francisco to the East Coast. The telegraph enabled messages to be sent in
a matter of seconds instead of months. The building of the transcontinental
railroad was another major technological accomplishment. Finished in
1869, this rail line connected California with the eastern United States.
body
Within about thirty years, five transcontinental lines were built. These
railroads united the various regions of the United States. They also reduced
coast-to-coast travel time from six months or more to about one week. In
addition, because of the ease and speed of train travel, the settlement of
the West rose dramatically.
However, the railroad gave rise to a major economic division in the
United States. The railroad companies began to charge farmers high fees
supporting
details
to transport crops to market. Also, the railroads often owned the grain
elevators where farmers stored crops until shipment. The farmers had to
pay high costs for this storage. On top of this, in the 1870s, the price of
farm crops dropped because of overproduction.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
4
Westward Expansion Unites and Divides the United States (continued)
The high railroad rates and lower crop prices drove many farmers into
debt and increased the division between the “haves” and “have nots” in
U.S. society. The heads of the railroad companies kept getting richer, and
farmers, in general, kept getting poorer. Some leaders encouraged farmers
to stand up for their rights. Activist speaker Mary Elizabeth Lease stated,
“We will not pay our debts to the loan-shark companies until the
Government pays its debts to us.”
Inspired by such leaders, many farmers, especially in the Midwest and
West, united to form an organization called the Grange. Founded in 1867,
supporting
details
the Grange actually was made up of many smaller chapters or Granges.
In fact, by 1875, more than 21,000 Granges with about 850,000 members
existed. The Grange represented the needs of the farmers and opposed
the unfair practices of the railroad. Soon the Grange helped to secure state
body
laws that limited railroad rates.
Although the settlement of the West helped to unify the United States,
it also increased one of the deepest divisions in U.S. history. This division
supporting
details
was between Native Americans and non-native peoples of the United
States. As increasing numbers of settlers, prospectors, and ranchers
moved west of the Mississippi, they began to trespass on Native American
reservations. As a result, conflict arose between Native Americans and the
U.S. government, which usually supported the trespassers. This conflict
led to the Indian Wars, a series of battles between Native Americans
and U.S. military. Several atrocities against the Native Americans, such
as the Wounded Knee Massacre, were committed. In 1890, the Indian
Wars ended. However, the division between Native Americans and the
non-native peoples of the United States remained and still exists to this
day. U.S. citizenship was not granted to all Native Americans until 1924.
Recently, many tribes have gone to court to regain lost lands or to receive
payment for them.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
5
Westward Expansion Unites and Divides the United States (continued)
These examples from the Civil War era illustrate the forces of unity and
conclusion
division in U.S. history. Even in today’s world, technological advances,
such as the Internet and cell phones, continue to enhance communications
connection
to life today
and unite people. At the same time, the gulf between the “haves” and
“have nots” keeps on increasing, and political divisions are stronger than
ever. As we move into the 21st century, the forces of unity and division will
therefore continue to have a major impact on the development of
our country.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
6
Westward Expansion Unites and Divides the United States (continued)
Taking Notes
One method for taking notes is to write the name of one of the examples and a
research question at the top of a note card. Be sure to include the information you
need for the bibliography on the card. You do not have to use all the information you
find in your research report.
This is the section of the research report where the note below was used:
The building of the transcontinental railroad was another major
technological accomplishment. Finished in 1869, this rail line connected
California with the eastern United States. Within about thirty years, five
transcontinental lines were built.
railroads: How did they
unify the United States?
William L. Withuhn, M.B.A. (contributor),
note card
“Railroad” article in The World Book
Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2001
On May 10, 1869, the tracks of the two railroads finally met at
Promontory, Utah. North America became the first continent to
have a rail line from coast to coast. By the end of the 1800s,
the United States had five transcontinental lines.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
7
Westward Expansion Unites and Divides the United States (continued)
Footnotes
A footnote tells the reader where you found certain information. When you use a
fact or quotation, you should footnote it. Footnotes are identified by small numbers
in the text that correspond to numbers at the bottom of the page. If possible, each
footnote should include the title, publisher, date, page number, or Web address.
Footnotes can have different styles, but the goal of all footnotes is to give the reader
enough information to find the original source. What sources will you footnotes in
your research report?
During the Civil War era, certain advances in technology helped to unite
U.S. territory west of the Mississippi with the rest of the United States.
For example, by 1861, the transcontinental telegraph line connected San
Francisco to the East Coast.1 The telegraph enabled messages to be sent in
a matter of seconds instead of months. The building of the transcontinental
railroad was another major technological accomplishment. Finished in 1869,
this rail line connected California with the eastern United States. Within
about thirty years, five transcontinental lines were built.2 These railroads
united the various regions of the United States. They also reduced coast-tocoast travel time from six months or more to about one week. In addition,
because of the ease and speed of train travel, the settlement of the West
rose dramatically.3
However, the railroad gave rise to a major economic division in the
United States. The railroad companies began to charge farmers high fees
to transport crops to market. Also, the railroads often owned the grain
elevators where farmers stored crops until shipment. The farmers had to
pay high costs for this storage. On top of this, in the 1870s, the price of farm
crops dropped because of overproduction.4
1
2
3
4
“Development of the telegraph industry,” Encyclopaedia Britannia Online, 23 November 2005,
<http://www.eb.com/>.
“Railroad,” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2001.
“First Transcontinental Railroad,” Wikipedia, 12 November 2005, <http://en.wikipedia.org>.
McDougal Littell, Creating America: Beginnings through World War I, (Evanston: McDougal Littell,
a division of Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006) 576, 577.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
footnotes
8
Westward Expansion Unites and Divides the United States (continued)
Bibliographies
A bibliography lists the sources used to write a research report. Your bibliography
should contain a primary source, a Web site, an encyclopedia article, and a book. If
possible, each citation should include the title, author, publisher, date, page number,
or Web address. Notice that the formats for footnotes and bibliographies are
different. Also notice that different types of sources are grouped together, and that
the sources within each group are listed alphabetically. Use the format below for
your bibliography.
types of
sources
Primary Sources
Lease, Mary Elizabeth quoted in “The Populist Uprising” by Elizabeth
N. Barr in Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, Vol. II.
II Chicago:
Lewis, 1918.
Web sites
“Development of the telegraph industry.” Encyclopaedia Britannia Online.
Online
2005. Encyclopaedia Britannica 23 November 2005 <http://www.eb.com/>.
“First Transcontinental Railroad.” Wikipedia
Wikipedia.. 2005. Wikipedia 12 November
2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org>.
types of
sources
listed
alphabetically
“Indian policy.” Encyclopaedia Britannia Online.
Online 2005. Encyclopaedia
Britannica 23 November 2005 <http://www.eb.com/>.
“West of the Mississippi (1861-1890).” Wikipedia
Wikipedia. 2005. Wikipedia 2005
<http://en.wikipedia.org>.
Encyclopedia articles
“Grange, National.” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia.
Encyclopedia 2001.
types of
sources
Greene, Jerome A. (contributor). “Indian wars.” World Book Multimedia
Encyclopedia. 2001 Kolata, Alan L., Fixico, Donald L., Neely, Sharlotte.
Encyclopedia
(contributors). “Indian, American.” World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia.
Encyclopedia 2001.
Withuhn, William L.(contributor). “Railroad.” World Book Multimedia
Encyclopedia. 2001.
Encyclopedia
Books
types of
sources
McDougal Littell. Creating America: Beginnings through World War I.
I
Evanston: McDougal Littell, a division of Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. 576-577.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Writing About History: Research Reports
9