How did mexican independence encourage the westward expansion of american citizens? a) it allowed trade routes to develop in the southwest and opened up a previously closed lands to settlement by american citizens b) a strong spanish army had previously prevented american westward migration c) native americans ignored american settlers in order to focus on driving the newly formed nation from their lands d) the newly formed mexican government built an extensive network of trails and roads, allowing for easier migration by american citizens

D) The newly formed Mexican government built an extensive network of trails and roads, allowing for easier migration by American citizens.
Although it is true that the Spaniards defended their borders very well, the fact is that America never tried to advance by force during the colonial government of Spain. The way in which America expanded to the west was slow and gradual, and as the United States grew in population and land, the new nation of Mexico was also modernized and its territories were populated, enriching, which aroused interest of the Americans by the territories of Texas, California, New Mexico.