9781422285978

The Causes of Wars on the Frontier

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A map showing the American conquest of territory during the Mexican War in 1846- 1848. The area of the map labeled Unorganized Territory was designated for Native American tribes that had been pushed from their homes east of the Mississippi River.

continental lands west to the Pacific, south to the Rio Grande, and north to Canada. A number of other factors contributed to America’s pursuit of west- ward expansion in the latter part of the 19th century. These included the forced relocation of Native American tribes to reservations; gold rushes in Colorado, California, and the Black Hills of South Dakota; and the build- ing of the Transcontinental Railroad. American merchants and farmers saw tremendous opportunities in the westward expansion. Native Americans did not see the same benefits. However, most Natives disagreed about the proper way to react to the arrival of European Americans. Some thought they should adopt the ways of the white men and live alongside them peacefully. Others were willing to move west, in order to get away from settlers and practice their traditional ways of life