Factors that encouraged the settlement of the midwest

People had lived along the eastern seaboard since America was first settled. The population had grown from 800,000 to 7 million and it was getting crowded. Land deals were opened up in the Midwest with land for people. Over half the working force of men were foreign immigrants who would work in factories while others decided to move west. The East encouraged this because it benefited them to have people working in the Midwest growing crops and shipping them East. President Jackson had vigorously supported the Indian Removal Act, making it safer for settlers. Squatters were given rights to bid on land they had just been occupying. Beginning as early as 1815, 3200 miles of canals had been build in 25 years. The railroad was coming through making travel easier and faster. farm tools and implements improved or were mechanized (combines, John Deer plows, etc.). Pork production in the Midwest was aided by mechanization. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered land to many for a very low price. 500,000,000 acres were disposed of through the Homestead Act. After the Civil War, family farms triumphed over the old plantations. People were tired of the Civil War, it's death, burned homes and fighting and wanted to start a new life.