The Western Movement (1865-1880) Goal was to achieve America’s Manifest Destiny Government policies were to encourage settlement Land Grants given to those who would settle and build railroads Homestead Act 1862 / Morill Land-Grant Act Open Range becomes home to the cattle industry Cattle drives took the Longhorns to where the railroads ran Ended due to farm settlements and to much cattle on the market Great Plains develops from small farming to bonanza farms Evolved from ranching / subsistent farming to cash crops (wheat)