Gold Rush
What event began in California in 1848 and brought thousands of people west?
The California Gold Rush .
What was the Oregon Trail?
A route settlers used to travel west .
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
The third president of the United States .
What was the Trail of Tears?
The forced removal of Native Americans from their homeland .
What does Manifest Destiny mean?
The belief that the U.S. should expand westward .
What were people who rushed to California to search for gold called?
Forty-niners or miners .
What kind of transportation did many pioneers use on the trail?
Wagon trains or covered wagons .
What major land purchase is Jefferson known for?
The Louisiana Purchase .
Which Native American group is most closely linked to the Trail of Tears?
The Cherokee .
What did many Americans believe about westward expansion?
That it was their right and destiny to spread across the continent .
Why did many people go to California during the Gold Rush?
To become rich by finding gold .
Name one danger people faced on the Oregon Trail.
Disease, bad weather, accidents, or lack of food/water .
Why was the Louisiana Purchase important?
It doubled the size of the United States .
What law led to the Trail of Tears?
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 .
How did Manifest Destiny affect U.S. expansion?
It encouraged settlement, land claims, and migration west .
What problems did many miners face in California?
Hard work, little success, and difficult living conditions .
Why did many families travel the Oregon Trail?
To get land and build a better life in the West .
How did the Louisiana Purchase help westward expansion?
It opened huge areas of land for settlement and exploration .
Why were Native Americans forced to move west?
Settlers wanted their land and the government supported removal .
How did Manifest Destiny affect Native Americans?
It led to loss of land and forced removal .
How did the Gold Rush change California?
It caused rapid population growth and helped the state develop .
Why was the Oregon Trail such a difficult journey?
It was long, dangerous, and physically exhausting .
How did Jefferson’s actions influence the future of the West?
He helped make western settlement and exploration possible .
What made the Trail of Tears especially tragic?
Thousands died from hunger, disease, and harsh travel conditions .
Why was Manifest Destiny important in U.S. history?
It shaped how the nation grew and expanded across the continent .