1. Moving West... The Reasons behind the move

2. Distribution of Population 1880 On your map color in the areas where the majority of the people live

3. East Coast Cities

4. Dreams of a Better Life Positives of Moving Negatives of Moving

5. The Pull Factors: Going West Government Incentives = Homestead Act Stories of Hope and Fortune = GOLD Easy Travel and transportation = Transcontinental RR Tired of Living in crowded eastern cities

6. Homestead Act: 1862 Law that gave 160 acres of land to citizens who met certain conditions Age, agreed to farm the land, build a house By 1900: More than 80 million acres had been established by the Homestead Act

7. Immigrants Moving West Attracted by jobs and cheap land http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/10/us/20090310-immigration-explorer.html

8. Final Thoughts It was not always as good as it seemed Needed Luck and Hardwork to survive Remember... What group is already living in the west??

9. Map