People moved west because? .... Poverty and disease
. Government propaganda
. Gold rush
. overpoulation (from 14k - 353k )
. Banks collapsed CAUSING ECONOMIC DEPRESSION so people wanted to start a new life, all savings were lost
. Not enough jobs for overpopulation, therefore unemplyment grew
. government Homestead act of 1862 - allowed 160 acres free who occupied it for 5 years.
. Railways encouraged poeple to move quicker and more settlement
. Rumours of fertile land in the west.