Introduction
Post-Civil War American registered significant economic and industrial growth accompanied by westward expansion caused by the increasing number of Americans moving across the Mississippi River in search of opportunities. In the years that followed the civil war, the promise of opportunities and other issues that divided the country inspired many Americans to migrate westward. For instance, racial segregation that disadvantaged black caused many of them to move to the west in search of a better life. Among white settlers, the promise of land ownership was a major factor that led to their migration to the west, thus contributing to the expansion. Furthermore, the US also emerged as an industrial giant in the years that followed the civil war, thus leading to significant economic growth. The country experienced remarkable industrial expansion as more industries were established. Economic growth thus followed as many people were employed in the industries. The civil war events awakened the US, creating opportunities that enabled Americans to live, learn, and explore new prospects resulting in westward expansion and industrial and economic growth.
Western Expansion
The civil war led to the construction and completion of the railroads, which became was a significant factor resulting in increased industrialization in the US several decades after the war. The railroads were constructed and completed during the civil war as they were crucial in transporting fresh supplies to soldiers in camps during the war. However, when the war ended, the railroads became essential in facilitating the movement of Americans in search of opportunities. Railroads primarily helped intensify westward expansion by helping open up vast regions in the western parts of the US as many settlers moved across Mississippi to mines, farms, and ranches in the region (Hodgson 60). Additionally, the Homestead Act of 1862 also played a critical in the intensifying western expansion. African Americans from the South also moved west in search of prosperity.
The US railroad played a significant role in the transportation of manufactured goods, food crops, and other raw materials to the market. Thus, the railroad made it possible for the US to expand its domestic market. Hodgson reiterates that railroads also reduced travel costs, thus allowing many Americans to visit distant regions that they had not visited before (63). As a result, increased migration of Americans, and the Homestead Act’s ratification significantly increased western expansion in the years that followed the civil war.
Economic Growth
A significant majority of Americans moved to the cities, and economic activities intensified, resulting in increased economic growth. The railroads also helped transport products, thus increasing the supply of goods from the factories to the cities with a ready market for products. Economic development increased across the region as the industrial revolution led to the development of various industries to supply goods and services. For example, the cattle industry significantly improved, leading to significant expansion of the western economy (Mercier and Steve, 41). The railroad played an important role in helping get cattle to the market.
The homestead Act of 1862 also played a critical in intensifying facilitating economic growth by giving Americans access to land, which is a primary factor in economic development. The act gave many Americans lands in the west at a relatively cheaper cost, thus helping create a conducive economic environment to help people start businesses. The influx of people in search of land and opportunities increased the population in the area. With an increase in population, the demand and supply of goods and services increased, thus leading to economic growth and development. Capitalism also increased in the decades after the war leading to increased economic growth (Shapiro, 197). The government’s move was also aimed at solidifying its control of the trans-Mississippi West and thus created a better environment that facilitated economic growth.
Government support also helped increase economic growth after the civil war. For instance, the government gave rail companies land to build roads, hence increasing the potential of the rail companies to expand their services, resulting in increased economic growth (Mercier and Steve, 44). The presence of the railroads also helped facilitate the movement of people during the gold rush to take advantage of the discovery of new minerals. Additionally, the railroads also facilitated the global market’s expansion by enabling the shipment of meat and crops to distant cities.
Industrialization
The civil war helped awaken the American public and created the need to solve various challenges leading to the increased creation of industries to assist in producing different goods and products. The industrial revolution in a post-civil war American also helped open up vast lands for settlement and economic development, thus creating a better environment for industrial growth and development. As a result of industrialization, American society was transformed, and a new class of wealthy industrialists and a prosperous middle class emerged (Hodgson 61). It also led to a considerably higher working class. Millions of newly arrived immigrants and even greater numbers of rural migrants provided the labor force to enable industrialization to thrive. Growing America’s diversity made it possible for the country to attract different talents from different parts of the world.
Conclusion
The American civil war exposed America to various challenges that required a significant change in the way of life. The desire to solve multiple challenges and experiences obtained during the civil war led to exploration, migration. It increased industrialization, thus creating massive western expansion and remarkable economic growth in the US. Many of those who contributed to the nation’s growing population included immigrants from all over the world. Additionally, US citizens also migrated to the cities, thus increasing the population in American cities. As a result, the country has a ready market for its domestic products leading to increased business activity resulting in increased economic growth in the country.
Works Cited
Hodgson, Charles. “The Effect of Transport Infrastructure On the Location of Economic Activity: Railroads and Post Offices in The American West.” Journal of Urban Economics, vol.104, 2018, pp. 59-76.
Mercier, Stephanie A., and Steve Halbrook. “Opening Up the American West.” Agricultural Policy of the United States, 2020, pp. 37-48.
Shapiro, Karin. “Growing Up with the Country: Family, Race, and Nation after the Civil War by Kendra Taira Field.” Journal of Southern History, vol. 85, no.1, 2019, pp. 196-197.