Four Tasks

Task # 1

Introduction

The environmental and geographic factors have profound impact on the development of migration network and trade. These developed trade and migration network ultimately countries expand through making connections between divergent cultures and people. Similarly, resources and certain geographic factors also helped United States of America developed. On the other hand, Mesopotamia also faced expansion due to its rich agricultural conditions.

Body

Factors Significant for the Development of United States

Gold rush

The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in the Sacramento Valley of California in January 1848 enticed thousands of immigrants from around the world. The gold rush is an expression that refers to a 19th-century phenomenon during which many Americans sought their fortunes by prospecting and panning for gold. Between 1848 and the granting of statehood in 1850 more than 90,000 people migrated to California, most from within the United States which helped expand and develop the country (Kahn, 2002). The remarkable growth of farming and commerce urged Californians to ask for better connection with the rest of the country. It was their demands that the State asked Congress for a transcontinental railroad in order to ship goods to and from the East Coast and Midwest.

Westward Expansion

The Western Expansion of the United States of America is considered to be an important factor of economic activity and geographic expansion. Beginning of 1840s saw a mindset about migrating towards West which was summed up Horace Greeley's famous quote, “Go West, young man.” This migration was fueled due to different social and environmental advantages. The natural environmental factors that attracted people towards it were the land, climate and the gold reserves. On the other hand, the freedom for black Americans and interaction between black and white Americans were the social factors that helped country expand. Most of the Western land was either grass or desert (Vandenbroucke, 2008). The grass land allowed enormous grazing and farming while the desert had mine resources such as gold. Other than the resourceful land, climate also played an important role. The climate of the southwest was dry and hot, while the Northwest climate was dry and cold. In order to be acquainted with the dry and cold climate, west developed railroads so that the trips could be shortened. This phenomenon also increased migration towards west (Vandenbroucke, 2008).

Factor Significant for the Development of Mesopotamia

The geographic and climatic conditions of Mesopotamia were ideally appropriate for agriculture. The area used to receive sun light, had plenty of water in shape of two rivers which flooded every spring hence leaving the soil fertile with nutrient rich slit. The Mesopotamians were reliant in the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. The slit left over after continues flooding made the soil extremely fertile. The factor which became most significant in making Mesopotamia favorable for migration and settlement is its irrigation system (Matthews, 2013). The system was built according to plan and its maintenance was kept by an organized work force. Irrigation helped tremendously.

Mesopotamia and Egypt Diffusion

Geography played a vital role ...