Can someone help me with the meaning of this open-response?

Question

Why was the West the region most seized with the spirit of nationalism following the War of 1812?

Answer 1

I'll take a stab at it, but don't blame me if it is wrong. The war of 1812 established the United States as sovereign nation. Prior to the War of 1812 Great Britain, and it's citizen routinely violated certain territorial treaties with the United States, such as the Battle of Fallen Timbers. The War of 1812 firmly establish that it would be very difficult for any European power to project its power into North America in opposition to the United States.

The west was the area the United States could expand it's influence most easily. Additionally, those people who lived in the west (western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee) were the ones most likely to directly benefit from continued westward development.

Answer 2

Your text book.