Motivation

Definition

Motivation refers to the driving force behind individuals' actions and decisions, influencing their desire to achieve specific goals or engage in certain behaviors. In the context of Westward Expansion, various motivations fueled settlers, explorers, and immigrants to move westward, shaping the nation’s growth and development. These motivations were often intertwined with personal aspirations, economic opportunities, and societal pressures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Many settlers were motivated by economic opportunities, including the chance to acquire land and resources that were available in the West.
2. Religious groups, such as the Mormons, sought to escape persecution and establish communities based on their beliefs, leading them to migrate westward.
3. The promise of adventure and a new life was a significant motivation for many individuals and families seeking to escape their circumstances in the East.
4. Political factors also played a role, as expansion was seen as a way to strengthen national power and assert control over new territories.
5. Social pressures, such as the desire to be part of a larger movement or to follow family and friends who had already moved west, influenced people's decisions to join the migration.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of Manifest Destiny influence individual motivations for Westward Expansion?
  • Manifest Destiny significantly influenced individual motivations by promoting the idea that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. This belief instilled a sense of purpose and urgency among settlers, leading many to view their westward journey as both a right and an obligation. As people moved westward, they often felt they were part of a grand mission to spread democracy and civilization, which further fueled their determination to settle new lands.
• Evaluate how economic motivations played a crucial role in shaping the patterns of settlement during Westward Expansion.
  • Economic motivations were at the forefront of Westward Expansion, as many individuals sought better opportunities in agriculture, mining, and trade. The availability of fertile land under acts like the Homestead Act encouraged families to seek new livelihoods away from crowded Eastern cities. This movement was not just about personal gain; it also contributed to the national economy's growth as new markets and resources were tapped into, establishing new communities that transformed the landscape.
• Analyze how personal motivations for Westward Expansion differed among various groups, including families, single men, and religious communities.
  • Personal motivations for Westward Expansion varied widely among different groups. Families often sought stability and land ownership as a means of providing for future generations. In contrast, single men might have been driven more by adventure or economic prospects like mining or farming. Religious communities, such as Mormons seeking refuge from persecution, were motivated by spiritual aspirations to create ideal societies. These diverse motivations not only shaped individual experiences but also contributed to a complex social fabric in the expanding West.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny:

The belief that American expansion across the continent was both justified and inevitable, driving many settlers to move westward.

Homestead Act:

A law passed in 1862 that encouraged Western migration by providing settlers with 160 acres of public land in exchange for a small fee and the requirement to live on the land for five years.

Gold Rush:

A period during the late 1840s when thousands rushed to California after gold was discovered, motivated by the hope of striking it rich.