history of the American West

The history of the American West involves the expansion of European settlers and the U.S. government into territories inhabited by Indigenous peoples, driven by notions of Manifest Destiny. This period, especially in the 19th century, featured the California Gold Rush, the construction of railroads, and conflicts like the Indian Wars and the Mexican-American War. It transformed a vast, sparsely populated area into states through settlement, resource extraction, and economic development. The West's history reflects themes of exploration, conflict, innovation, and cultural change, shaping modern America’s geographic, economic, and cultural identity.