What got people to move to the west were the great plains were, is because of the gold rush. The president showed a giant crowd of people a jar of water, sand, and gold nuggets. He told them this is what they would find if they moved to the west. And of course everyone went searching for gold.
The rapid settlement of the Great Plains was significantly driven by the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided land to settlers. Additional factors included railroad expansion, economic opportunities, technological advances, and the search for a new life. Together, these elements made the Great Plains an appealing destination for many Americans during the 19th century.
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