What factors were most

important in drawing Americans to the West, both mentally physically?

Americans thought that if they went out west their lives would be so much better because the government was basically paying them to go. Also? It was a good way for cattle rancher to raise their cattle for cheeper and then they would sent them back out to the east to sell

Not to mention the desire for money. The west was almost an unexplored place, and anything they found they could sell. they also wanted independence and freedom