(asap! will give brainliest to the first answer! ) 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