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1、1The Significance of American Western MovementAbstract：American Westward Movement in 19th century, in fact, is a large-scale advancement of American economy exploitation and a territorial expansion. It plays a vital role in the formation, the development and the present situation of the United State
2、s of America. Particularly, Westward Movement has seeped into this young nationality on its cultural influence. To answer these questions this thesis mainly analyzes American Westward Movement from a historical angle to help us to recognize American culture and history. For this purpose, this thesis
3、 discusses Westward Movements influences on American economy, its national characteristic and the formation of its values. Also, the writer reflects its dark side in the thesis. Key Words：Westward Movement; national character; pioneer; Indian culture I. IntroductionAmerican Westward Movement in the
4、19th century was the process of economy exploitation and territory expansion waged by the Americans from Appalachian Mountains to the west from the end of 18th century to the end of 19th century. It lasted about one hundred years, and American territory was expanded from the 13 colonies at the coast
5、 of the Atlantic Ocean in the Independence War to the vast area-the shore of the Pacific Ocean. This movement was a space and time-spanning, large-scale, and far-reaching social migrant. “Till now, to a certain extent, the history of America can be said that it is a history of colonizing.” The first
6、 period of Westward Movement was from the American War of Independence to the period of the Civil War. During this period, it mainly developed agriculture. The west land was very important for USA after its independence. But for Westward Movement, there would be no todays America. By expanding the n
7、ations borders to include more than three million square miles, the United States became one of the most powerful nations of the 20th century. 2Firstly, capitalistic agriculture grew up, and then animal husbandry, commerce, mining, and industry were following up. At last, it existed a situation in w
8、hich agriculture and animal husbandry developed at the same time, industry and agriculture promoted each other, transportation and commerce trade progressed overall.However, this expansion also resulted in great suffering, destruction, and cultural loss for the Native Americans of North America. Is
9、Westward Movement barbaric or civilized? The answer is not absolute. Karl Max materialism holds that every thing has two sides. We should make a concrete and historical analysis. In Westward Movement, we speak of not only its civilization but its barbarity. Under the whites bullet and natural acute
10、disease, those survival Indian tribes have suffered so-called genocide and culture extinction. The two opposite and related sides of Westward Movement are composed of the main melody of the development of America in 19th century.II. The Significance of American Westward MovementAs the first independ
11、ent capitalism country of the mainland of America, the birth of the new USA symbolized the tremendous leap in American history. Newly independent America drew on the policy of western aggrandizement. On one hand, thousands upon thousand immigrants moved from east to west. On the other hand, the whol
12、e country changed from an agriculture country to an industrial country. Finally it helped to bring about a birth of modern USA. During Westward Movement, the government laid out a series of policies, such as immigrant policy and capital investment. Between 18201860，about five million immigrants came
13、 into USA, it provided adequate labors. Furthermore, the Homestead Act of 1862 was the important legislative act of 19th century. The land policy of American government at that moment provided institution and policy guarantee for peasants to get the soils and develop agriculture. Therefore, it promo
14、ted the westward exploitation, and also spurred USA to a great agriculture country rapidly. During 1815-1840, government invested 125 million dollars to every state for building 3000 miles canal. This period American transportation got a big boost. For 3another, there were policies of fostering deve
15、lopment of education, attracting more foreign investment, perfect manpower, environmental protection and so the like. Under these effective strategies, American people constantly opened up. This westward movement, across what was often called the American frontier, was of enormous significance. They
16、 not only contributed to the expansion of American territory, influence on American politics， but also formed American characters. At last, the frontier life in Westward Movement brought plentiful source material to American culture and art in the future.2.1. Promoting American Economic DevelopmentWestern exploitation utterly changed American appearance: large quantities of barren lands were reclaimed; a lot of capital farms were set up; the development of agriculture in west
