Many people who immigrated to the United States during the Gilded Age moved to the coasts of the United States. It really depended on where you were from, so if you were of European origin, you most likely migrated to the eastern coast, but if you were of Chinese origin, you most likely migrated to the western coasts. It was just based on what was the closest shore by boat.
They kept people afraid for their lives and of that of their loved ones. SO if they were afraid they would not speak out against the government.
Unlike the British, the French were not interested in taking over Native American Island. Instead, they were interested mainly in trading furs.
Many settlers were willing to leave their homes and head west due to the dream of attaining a better life, usually thinking of the possibility of acquiring free or cheap land. Other ocassions were for example, the "gold rush" in which so many went to California in search of gold. Others went west hoping to find more freedom.
