Westward expansion in the United States was driven by several key factors. Here are the five main reasons:
1. **Manifest Destiny**: The belief that Americans were destined by God to expand across the continent. This idea fueled the desire to spread democracy and capitalism.
2. **Economic Opportunities**: The West offered new land for farming, mining, and trade. People moved west to find better economic prospects and to escape poverty.
3. **Gold Rush**: The discovery of gold in California in 1848 attracted thousands of people hoping to strike it rich. This led to a massive migration westward.
4. **Government Policies**: The U.S. government encouraged westward expansion through policies like the Homestead Act, which provided land to settlers at little to no cost.
5. **Transportation Improvements**: The development of railroads and other transportation infrastructure made it easier for people to travel and settle in the West.
These factors combined to drive the movement of people westward, shaping the growth and development of the United States.