Americans' large-scale movement west during the 1800s stemmed from several events. The discovery of gold in California, the Mormon migration west, the transcontinental railroad, and the search for farmland propelled many people in the East across the continent. This valuable volume highlights the major causes and effects of the push westward, highlighting important topics such as Native American displacement and the construction of the Erie Canal. Sidebars, fact boxes, maps, and historical images support readers as they develop an understanding of the many events that expanded the United States from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.