How did the culture of the West impact democracy in the United States?The harsh lifestyle weakened traditional gender roles and led to women in the West gaining the right to vote before women in the East. The harsh lifestyle weakened traditional gender roles and led to women in the West gaining the right to vote before women in the East. Native Americans were given voting rights as part of a peace treaty ending the Black Hawk War. Native Americans were given voting rights as part of a peace treaty ending the Black Hawk War. The large number of Exodusters in the area led to many African Americans being elected to political offices in western territories. The large number of Exodusters in the area led to many African Americans being elected to political offices in western territories. The diversity of the population in the West promoted acceptance of the cultures of various ethnic groups and led to social and political equality.