Push Pull Factors

Last class we had a Socratic seminar in which we discussed the push and pull factors that influenced people to move west. First we watched the tutorial made by Mr.Boyle for both cases and wrote down three different leveled questions in which we could ask, or propose during our discussion (not debate!). It was very slow starting but after all was set and done I would have to say that the push factors most heavily influenced people decision to move. African Americans desperately wanted to find land in which they could exercise the rights they had gained after the Civil War. Many war veterans were eager to escape the bad memories of combat they were forced to face while still leaving on the East Coast. Also, angry white southerners whose land was destroyed and couldn't bare to see their ex-slaves be equal to them hoped to escape to the west as well. In general, the west offered a chance for a new start to those who were unhappy with their current lot. The pull factors such as the Homestead Act, the gold in California /'d the low land costs enticed Americans to make the move west. However, it is my opinion that most people would not had made the move if something had not been driving them.