westward expansion

After the Civil War the west continued to expand.  The Homestead Act and transcontinental railroad led to growth of towns and cities as well as farming and the cattle industry.  Farmers faced problems and organized a grassroots platform and Populist party which proposed many changes in election, tax and economic policy.  A desire to counter deflation and increase the money supply called for "free silver" to back the dollar.  Industry also expanded as a result of new technological advances and natural resources and labor force.  Many individuals became wealthy including Andrew

This podcast reviews some key ideas about the issue of slavery and the expansion west as well as the Civil War.  The discussion reviews the definitions of market revolution, and manifest destiny while covering the purposes of the Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850 and popular sovereignty in the Kansas Nebraska Act.  Key events in the Civil War are also discussed including the Emancipation Proclamation, and Gettysburg. The discussion concludes with a review of the results of the Civil War.