Westward Expansion: Economic Development [APUSH Review Unit 6 Topic 2] Period 6: 1865-1898

Summary

This video from Heimler's History dives into Unit 6 of the AP U.S. History curriculum, focusing on the period from 1865 to 1898, particularly the economic aspects of westward expansion. It discusses the mechanization of agriculture, leading to increased crop production but also the decline of small farms due to competition from larger, industrialized farms. The video explains how this resulted in falling crop prices, impacting farmers' livelihoods. Additionally, it covers the rise of the National Grange Movement and the Granger Laws, which aimed to protect farmers from railroad monopolies and corporate abuses. The script also explores the role of railroads in facilitating westward migration and the impact of the Homestead Act, which granted settlers free land in the West. Lastly, it touches on the discovery of precious metals like gold and silver, which spurred further westward migration and the creation of diverse boomtowns.

Takeaways

• 📈 The period from 1877 to 1898 saw significant economic changes in the American West, largely due to the mechanization of agriculture.
• 🚜 Mechanized farming with machinery like mechanical reapers and combine harvesters led to increased crop production but also to the obsolescence of small farmers.
• 📉 The increased crop supply led to a decrease in crop prices, exacerbating the financial struggles of small farmers who couldn't compete with larger, industrialized operations.
• 🛒 High prices for manufactured goods due to industrial trusts put additional financial strain on farmers who relied on buying these goods.
• 🚂 Farmers faced challenges with railroads, which charged high prices for transporting their crops to market, leading to economic hardship.
• 💪 The National Grange Movement emerged as an organized effort by farmers to resist these economic pressures and advocate for their interests.
• 🏛 The Granger Laws, including the Commerce Act of 1886, were enacted to regulate railroad rates and prohibit abusive corporate practices against farmers.
• 🛤️ The federal government encouraged westward expansion through the Pacific Railroad Acts, which provided land grants to railroad companies to build transcontinental railroads.
• 🏡 The Homestead Act of 1862 offered free land to settlers who agreed to farm and settle the land, although the amount of land was insufficient for many to sustain a livelihood.
• 🌟 The discovery and extraction of precious metals like gold and silver spurred westward migration, leading to the establishment of boomtowns and diverse communities.
• 📚 Understanding these economic and social changes is crucial for students studying the AP U.S. History curriculum, particularly for Unit 6.

Q & A

What time period does Unit 6 of the AP U.S. History curriculum cover?

Unit 6 covers the time period from 1865 to 1898.

What was the primary focus of the economic changes in the agricultural west during this period?

The primary focus was the mechanization of agriculture, with machines like the mechanical reaper and combine harvester replacing manual labor.

How did the mechanization of agriculture affect the production of crops?

Mechanization allowed farmers to plant and harvest significantly more crops, roughly doubling the production of corn and wheat between 1870 and 1900.

What was the impact of mechanization on small farmers?

Small farmers could not compete in the market with larger, industrial farmers due to their inability to afford the new machinery, leading to the obsolescence and eventual closure of many small farms.

How did the increase in crop supply affect market prices?

The law of supply and demand caused prices per bushel of crops like corn and wheat to decline, further pressuring small farmers who struggled to sell their crops at such low prices.

What was the National Grange Movement and what did it aim to achieve?

The National Grange Movement, organized in 1868, aimed to bring isolated farmers together for socialization and education. It later became political, pushing for laws to regulate railroad rates and make abusive corporate practices illegal.

What was the Commerce Act of 1886 and what was its purpose?

The Commerce Act of 1886 required railroad rates to be reasonable and just. It established the Interstate Commerce Commission, a federal agency to enforce these requirements.

How did the federal government facilitate westward migration?

The federal government facilitated westward migration through the Pacific Railroads Acts, which granted land to railroad companies to build transcontinental railroads, and the Homestead Act of 1862, which offered 160 acres of free land to settlers on the condition they would farm and settle it.

What was the impact of the Homestead Act on small farmers?

While the Homestead Act aimed to encourage westward migration and settlement, many small farmers struggled due to the mechanization of agriculture and the insufficient size of the granted land to sustain a livelihood, leading to many farms going bust.

Why did the discovery and extraction of precious metals contribute to westward migration?

The discovery and extraction of precious metals like gold and silver, such as during the California Gold Rush and the discovery at Pike’s Peak, attracted people to move west in hopes of striking it rich, leading to the formation of boomtowns and increased diversity in the west.

How did the railroads and the Homestead Act work together to encourage westward expansion?

The railroads, facilitated by the Pacific Railroads Acts, provided an efficient means of transportation to the west, while the Homestead Act provided an incentive for people to settle there by offering free land, thus encouraging westward expansion.

What was the significance of the Interstate Commerce Commission in relation to the railroads?

The Interstate Commerce Commission was a federal agency established by the Commerce Act of 1886 to enforce reasonable and just railroad rates for carrying freight, addressing the issues faced by farmers who were charged high prices for shipping their crops.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Westward Expansion and Agricultural Revolution (1865-1898)

This paragraph introduces the topic of Unit 6 of the AP U.S. History curriculum, focusing on the period from 1865 to 1898. It emphasizes the economic aspects of westward expansion, particularly the mechanization of agriculture which led to increased crop production and the decline of small farms. The paragraph also discusses the challenges faced by farmers due to industrial trusts keeping manufactured goods prices high and railroad owners charging high fees for transportation. It concludes by mentioning the National Grange Movement and the Granger Laws, including the Commerce Act of 1886 and the establishment of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

05:00

🛤️ The Role of Railroads and Legislation in Westward Migration

The second paragraph delves into the role of railroads in facilitating westward migration, as part of the federal government's efforts to populate the western frontier. It outlines the Pacific Railroads Acts, which provided land grants to railroad companies for constructing transcontinental railroads, and the impact of the Homestead Act of 1862, which offered free land to settlers on the condition of farming and settling it. The paragraph also highlights the discovery and extraction of precious metals like gold and silver as a significant driver of westward migration, leading to the emergence of boomtowns that were notably diverse due to the universal appeal of gold.

Keywords

💡Westward Expansion

Westward Expansion refers to the broad movement of people from the eastern United States into the western territories during the 19th century. In the video, it is discussed in the context of the time period 1865 to 1898, focusing on the economic aspects of this movement, such as the mechanization of agriculture and the impact on small farmers.

💡Mechanization of Agriculture

Mechanization of Agriculture is the process where farming activities shift from manual labor to machine-based operations. The video explains that machines like the mechanical reaper and combine harvester became prevalent, leading to increased crop production and the obsolescence of small farms due to their inability to compete with larger, industrial farms.

💡Supply and Demand

Supply and Demand is an economic principle that describes the relationship between the availability of a product and the desire for it among consumers. The video cites this principle to explain the decline in crop prices due to an oversupply, which in turn put pressure on small farmers who could not sustain their businesses at such low prices.

💡Industrial Trusts

Industrial Trusts were large combinations of businesses in the same industry, designed to reduce competition and dominate the market. The video mentions that these trusts kept prices high on manufactured goods, which affected farmers who relied on these goods for their livelihood but struggled to afford them due to the high costs.

💡National Grange Movement

The National Grange Movement, organized in 1868, was a response to the challenges faced by farmers. It began as a social and educational collective for isolated farmers but quickly became a political force. The Grange Movement pushed for laws to regulate railroad rates and curb abusive corporate practices, leading to the Granger Laws and the establishment of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

💡Transcontinental Railroad

The Transcontinental Railroad refers to a series of railroads that spanned the North American continent, connecting the eastern and western coasts of the United States. The video discusses how the federal government facilitated westward migration through the Pacific Railroads Acts, which granted land to railroad companies to build these railroads, thus making it easier for Americans to settle in the west.

💡Homestead Act of 1862

The Homestead Act of 1862 was a law that provided settlers with 160 acres of public land if they agreed to live on and improve the land by building a dwelling and farming for a period of five years. The video highlights that while this seemed like a great opportunity, many small farms were not viable due to the mechanization of agriculture and the insufficient size of the land for profitable farming.

💡Gold Rush

The Gold Rush refers to the rapid movement of people to areas with newly discovered gold deposits, in hopes of striking it rich. The video mentions the California Gold Rush of 1848 and subsequent discoveries like that at Pike’s Peak in 1869, which led to significant westward migration and the establishment of boomtowns like Denver City and Boulder City.

💡Boomtowns

Boomtowns are towns that experience rapid growth due to a sudden increase in population, often resulting from a gold or silver discovery. The video describes how boomtowns like Denver City and Boulder City emerged almost overnight due to the influx of people seeking wealth from gold discoveries, leading to a diverse population similar to major urban areas in the east.

💡Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a U.S. federal agency established by the Commerce Act of 1886 to regulate railroad rates and ensure they were reasonable and just. The video explains that the ICC was created as part of the Granger Laws, which were a response to the economic challenges faced by farmers, particularly regarding the high costs of railroad services.

💡Granger Laws

Granger Laws were a set of regulations enacted in the midwestern states, largely due to the efforts of the National Grange Movement. The video discusses how these laws aimed to protect farmers from abusive corporate practices and high railroad rates for carrying freight, which were key issues for the farming community during the period.

Highlights

The unit covers the time period from 1865 to 1898, focusing on the economics of westward expansion.

Agricultural west underwent mechanization, with machines like the mechanical reaper and combine harvester replacing manual labor.

Production of corn and wheat doubled between 1870 and 1900 due to mechanization.

Small farmers became increasingly obsolete as they couldn't compete with larger, industrial farmers who could afford machinery.

The market was flooded with crops, leading to a decrease in crop prices and further pressure on small farmers.

Farmers faced economic challenges due to high prices of manufactured goods and railroad fees for transporting their crops.

The National Grange Movement was organized in 1868 to address farmer concerns and became politically active.

The Grange Movement influenced the passing of the Granger Laws, which regulated railroad rates and corporate practices.

The Commerce Act of 1886 and the establishment of the Interstate Commerce Commission were significant outcomes of the Granger Laws.

The federal government facilitated westward migration through the Pacific Railroads Acts, granting land to railroad companies.

The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres of free land to settlers on the condition of farming and settling it.

Many small farms established through the Homestead Act failed due to insufficient land for a sustainable living.

The discovery and extraction of precious metals like gold and silver attracted migrants and led to the creation of boomtowns.

The California Gold Rush in 1848 and subsequent gold discoveries in the West continued to drive westward migration.

Boomtowns that emerged from the gold rush were diverse, attracting people of various races and ethnicities.

The video aims to help students achieve an A in their class and a high score on the AP U.S. History exam.

The presenter encourages viewers to subscribe for more educational content.

Transcripts

Hey there and welcome back to Heimler’s History,  and further welcome to the first review video  

of Unit 6 of the AP U.S. History curriculum.  This unit covers the time period 1865 to 1898,  

and we’re going to start with the economics  of westward expansion during this period.  

So if you’re ready to get them Unit  6 brain cows milked, let’s get to it.

So we’re basically aiming at one thing  in this video and it is as follows:  

Explain the causes and effects of the  settlement of the West from 1877 to 1898.  

In the last unit it seemed like all we talked  about was the North and the South, but now let  

us turn our eyes westward and see what’s happening  with our brethren and sisteren on the frontier.

So during this period, and a little before  it, a massive change was taking place in the  

agricultural west, namely, the mechanization of  agriculture, which is to say, farming was becoming  

a task done more and more with machines than  with the human body. Machines like the mechanical  

reaper and the combine harvester quickly replaced  human sweat and animal muscle as the primary means  

of planting and harvesting crops. And this had two  significant effects. First, it meant that farmers  

could plant and harvest a buttload more crops than  they could previously. For example, the production  

of corn and wheat roughly doubled between 1870  and 1900. The second effect was the increasing  

obsolescence of small farmers. Because smaller  farmers couldn’t compete in the market with these  

giant industrial farmers, primarily because  they couldn’t afford the pretty new machines,  

their farms folded one after another, in many  cases being bought out by the bigger farmers.

Now with this surging glut of crops in  the market, the law of supply and demand  

tells us that prices will decrease. And  wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly what  

happened. The prices per bushel of corn  or wheat or whatever steeply declined,  

further putting pressure on small farmers who  couldn’t live by selling their crops at such  

low prices. So all this to say, during this  period farming in America underwent a drastic  

change to the detriment of small farmers and to  the benefit of large-scale mechanized farmers.

Even so, ALL farmers were feeling some economic  pain during this period. Industrial trusts,  

on which more in another video,  made sure that prices remained high  

on manufactured goods. And why does that matter?  Because farmers spent all their time farming,  

and therefore relied on buying those manufactured  goods like clothing and furniture in order to  

survive. But with the prices so high, those  farmers were having trouble paying for them.  

And then to add to their agri-misery, farmers  were having railroad problems. Pssh, relate!  

Farmers largely relied on railroads and trains  to ship their crops to market for sale but in  

many cases, the railroad owners were charging  unnaturally high prices for this service.

So all this to say, farmers, in general, had  it rough during this period. And that’s how  

you get an organized movement for farmer  resistance to all these changes, namely,  

the National Grange Movement. It was organized  in 1868 as a collective aimed at bringing  

isolated farmers together for socialization and  education, but as with everything in America,  

the Grange got political quick, fast, and  in a hurry. As a collective body, the Grange  

Movement pushed many midwestern states to pass  laws regulating railroad rates for carrying  

freight and made abusive corporate practices that  were hurting farmers illegal. Taken together,  

these laws became known as the Granger Laws. Most  significant among these laws was the Commerce Act  

of 1886 which required railroad rates to be  reasonable and just and established a federal  

agency to enforce said reasonableness and justice,  namely, the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Now, since we’re talking so much about railroads  let’s take a moment and try to understand  

where all these railroads were coming from. As  you have probably learned by now, the federal  

government was positively giddy about getting  people to move west and settle the frontier. But  

moving west the old fashioned way, which is to say  Oregon Trail-style, wasn’t the easiest thing to  

do. But with this new and expanding technology of  railroads, the federal government could see that  

this method of transportation could facilitate  a mass migration of Americans for settlement  

in the western lands. And so two sets of laws  combined to make westward migration a reality.

First were the Pacific Railroads Acts in which  the federal government granted huge swaths of  

land to railroad companies who would then  build a transcontinental railroad. And in 1869,  

in Promontory Summit, Utah, a golden  spike was driven into the meeting of  

two rails that stretched from the east to  the west coast. Over the next few decades  

four more transcontinental railroads  were completed, almost all with the help  

of government land grants, and this created  the occasion for easier migration westward.

The second law that aided those migrating west was  the Homestead Act of 1862 which was expanded upon  

with other legislation, but for our purposes, you  just need to know that this law granted potential  

migrants 160 acres of free land out west on the  condition that they would farm it and settle it.  

Now that may sound like a great deal, but here’s  where I tell you, not so much. Partly this was  

because of the mechanization of agriculture  I mentioned before—these small farms were  

eventually gobbled up by larger ones. But mainly  it was because 160 acres in the midwest was not  

nearly enough land for a farmer to make a living.  So, many of these farmers ended up going bust.

Now, the last cause I need to mention with respect  to westward migration has to do with the discovery  

and extraction of precious metals like gold and  silver. Now people began moving west to seek gold  

as far back as 1848 when the California Gold Rush  occurred, but this continued for the next four  

decades. In 1869, for example, gold was discovered  in this fair mountain called Pike’s Peak,  

and that led to an influx of over 100,000 folks  into the surrounding regions in the Kansas and  

Nebraska territories. And this occurred in several  other places in the West as well. And when it did,  

boomtowns sprang up seemingly overnight. For  example, in the Pike’s Peak region, the boomtowns  

of Denver City and Boulder City sprang up as  a result this new wave of migrants looking to  

strike it rich. Interestingly, because the desire  for gold is no respecter of race or ethnicity,  

these boomtowns ended up being extremely diverse,  on par with the major urban areas in the east.

Okay, that’s what you need to know about Unit  6 topic 2 of the AP U.S. History curriculum.  

an A in your class and a five on your exam  in May. And if you were helped and you want  

me to keep making these videos, then go ahead  and subscribe and I shall oblige. Heimler out.