What was social Darwinism?
the change from nation to empire through imperialism
the belief that social values should be shared with other nations
the aim of imperialists to settle new land
the application of Darwin's theories to human societies

the completion of the erie canal spurred the first great westward movement of american settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the appalachians and made new york the preeminent commercial city in the united states.

they remained in rural areas and worked at jobs such as lumbering or farming.