Development Of The West Beyond The Mississippi The years 1840 to 1890 were a period of great growth for the United States. It was during this time period that the United states came to the conclusion that it had a manifest destiny, that is, it was commanded by god to someday occupy the entire North American continent. One of the most ardent followers of this belief was President James K. Polk. He felt that the United States …showed first 75 words of 935 total…

…showed last 75 words of 935 total…the country, although the transcontinental railroad would soon solve this problem. Another problem of the west was the hostility of the Indians, which was not the unjustified considering what they had gone through. Although today the central midwest is populated, it is not to the degree that the coastal areas are, and it will likely remain that way until the population of the United States becomes so large it actually forces people to move there.