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Westward Expansion and External and Internal Conflicts in 19th-century America

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Westward Expansion and Conflicts with Indians

Conflicts with the Native Americans were a natural result of the growth of the railroad system and agriculture in the western settlements. The “Manifest Destiny” ideology of the white Americans, which believed that they would someday rule all regions between the Atlantic and Pacific seas, was a factor in all the fights (Rampolla, 2018). Indian conflicts were brought about by westward migration, just as they were in the South.

The Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 is one battle that best sums up this carnage. In this war, several Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians attracted to Colorado by the Pikes Peak gold rush clashed with European settlers. The confrontations between Indian tribes and European settlers intensified as a result of this battle, which not only spread but also angered and fueled the Indians’ resentment.

Westward Expansion and Conflicts Between the North and the South

The westward expansion in the United States between 1820 and 1860 was a direct cause of conflict among Americans, particularly between the North and the South. This was the outcome of several factors, including the expansion of slavery into new areas, the cultural differences between the two regions, and the political differences between the two parties. The development of the slave trade played a crucial role in the conflict between the North and South. Slavery was essential to the South’s economy, while the North was hostile. In contrast to the South, where agriculture was the main economic activity, the North had a higher level of industrialization.

These differences caused people to start living their lives and setting various priorities. The ideological divide between the two sides was another factor that made the conflict worse. In the South, the Democrats were the dominant party, while in the North, it was the Republicans. Republicans and Democrats both opposed slavery, but Independents supported it. This conflict significantly affected the American Civil War.

Summary

In conclusion, it is possible to argue that the United States’ westward expansion contributed to the country’s internal strife, especially between the Northern and Southern states. Conflict resulted from a variety of sources, including the spread of slavery into new territories, cultural disparities between the two regions, and political difficulties between the two groups.

Reference

Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History, 10th ed. (Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s, Macmillan Learning, 2018), 176.

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StudyCorgi. (2026, January 21). Westward Expansion and External and Internal Conflicts in 19th-century America. https://studycorgi.com/westward-expansion-and-external-and-internal-conflicts-in-19th-century-america/

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StudyCorgi. (2026) 'Westward Expansion and External and Internal Conflicts in 19th-century America'. 21 January.

1. StudyCorgi. "Westward Expansion and External and Internal Conflicts in 19th-century America." January 21, 2026. https://studycorgi.com/westward-expansion-and-external-and-internal-conflicts-in-19th-century-america/.


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StudyCorgi. "Westward Expansion and External and Internal Conflicts in 19th-century America." January 21, 2026. https://studycorgi.com/westward-expansion-and-external-and-internal-conflicts-in-19th-century-america/.

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StudyCorgi. 2026. "Westward Expansion and External and Internal Conflicts in 19th-century America." January 21, 2026. https://studycorgi.com/westward-expansion-and-external-and-internal-conflicts-in-19th-century-america/.

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