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In what ways were the lives of Homesteaders affected by government actions? Explain your answer. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 5 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 5
In what ways were the lives of Homesteaders affected by government actions? Explain your answer.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In what ways were the lives of Homesteaders affected by government actions? Explain your answer. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 5 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
Complex explanation of changes
Answer
The lives of Homesteaders were significantly affected by government actions, primarily through policies and legislation that facilitated westward expansion. One of the major pieces of legislation was the Homestead Act of 1862, which allowed individuals to claim 160 acres of public land. This act aimed to encourage settlement in the West and foster agricultural development. By granting land at little to no cost, it transformed the lives of many, providing them with opportunities for farming and establishing a new life.
Furthermore, the government supported the establishment of the Pacific Railway Act, 1862. This legislation granted land to railroad companies to build tracks across the West. The railway companies would advertise the new lands available for settlement through exaggerated newspaper advertisements that portrayed idealized versions of life on the frontier. Thus, Homesteaders were often lured into these new territories based on the promises made by the government and railroad companies, drastically altering their living conditions and societal structures.
In addition, government actions involving treatises with Indigenous tribes, as seen in the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, aimed to minimize conflicts between settlers and Native Americans. These treaties attempted to allocate specific territories to Native tribes, which directly impacted the Homesteaders' experience, as many settlers would encroach upon these designated lands, leading to tensions and further challenges for both groups.
Step 2
Developed explanation of changes
Answer
The government also encouraged beliefs in Manifest Destiny, promoting the idea that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. This belief motivated many Homesteaders to migrate westward, as they viewed it as an opportunity to fulfill both personal ambitions and national interests. The implication of this ideology was profound, leading to the displacement of Native peoples and altering the Homesteaders' interactions with Indigenous communities.
Additionally, economic reasons driven by government policies created urgent motivations for families to move west. The promise of land ownership provided a chance for many to escape poverty in the Eastern states, thus transforming the demographic and economic landscape of the region. Without the backing of government legislation and the accompanying narratives, the lifestyle of Homesteaders would have been markedly different.