Westward Expansion

            People who were traveling into the West had many hardships. It was long journeys, lots of miles, and lots of walking. All wanted to move to have a new start. According to letters of Westward Expansion, people moved westward to escape the inability to have a good life, "difficult time making an honest living in the towns, cities and farms of the east coast." They all moved westward to escape these things, but of course there was still trouble. Many had to leave their families unknowingly if they would see them again. Two girls who were missionaries moved to Washington to spread their belief. While there she often wrote to her family. One of the letters said how she was missing her family and they were in her thoughts, she thought of when she had to say goodbye to them, and how she might never be able to see them again in this lifetime. Not only were there hardships with leaving families but there was lots of death. When someone died someone would have to send a letter to inform the families that their loved ones had died, that was heartbreaking. To send those words in a letter is a tragedy, but there was no other way. Also during this time farming evolved to working in factories as laborers. This led to women not weaving and spinning as much, but working in a textile factory. These jobs provided money which could be spent on college tuition and new clothes which was different than the east. Another positive thing for working in a factory was letters were sent fast so news was heard faster and more often from families. By 1832 railroads were built so letters could be sent even faster by that time. Moving to the west helped people have a fresh new start with new things to experience. 

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