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Could the Westward Expansion have been achieved without resorting to violence and destruction?

Male Kilian

The Westward Expansion of the United States was a defining moment in American history. It marked a time when the country expanded its borders from coast to coast, solidifying its place as a world power. However, the question remains: could this expansion have been achieved without resorting to violence and destruction?

In theory, it is possible that the Westward Expansion could have been achieved without resorting to violence and destruction. However, in practice, it is quite unlikely. The nature of expansionism demands that the occupying force exert significant influence over the territory it seeks to expand into. This often requires the use of force, either overt or covert, to manipulate the existing power structure.

In the case of the Westward Expansion, the land was already occupied by Native American tribes, who had lived there for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. The settlers who sought to expand westward recognized that they needed to displace or assimilate these tribes if they were to make any headway.

Initially, this displacement was achieved through treaties and negotiations. However, as the number of settlers increased, so too did the demand for resources like land, water, and game. This meant that the settlers began to encroach further and further into Native American territory, and the tribes began to resist.

As the resistance grew, so too did the level of violence and destruction. This is not to say that the Native Americans were entirely blameless in this conflict. They too engaged in violent acts, as they fought to protect their land and way of life.

However, it was ultimately the superior military might of the settlers that allowed them to triumph in this conflict. The use of violence and destruction was necessary to subjugate the Native Americans, as any attempts at negotiation or compromise would have been met with resistance.

In conclusion, while it is possible that the Westward Expansion could have been achieved without resorting to violence and destruction in theory, in practice, it is unlikely. The nature of expansionism demands control over the occupied territory, and this control often requires force to be exerted. While regrettable, the violence and destruction that occurred during the Westward Expansion were a necessary evil, without which the expansion would not have been possible.