Westward Expansion
What was Manifest Destiny and how did it shape American expansionism?
Manifest Destiny was the belief that Americans were destined to expand across North America, justifying westward expansion.
What was the significance of the 15th amendment? (100)
Answer: The 15th amendment granted African American men the right to vote, although discriminatory practices often undermined this right.
What role did the Freedmen's Bureau play during Reconstruction?
The Freedmen's Bureau helped newly freed African Americans by providing education, healthcare, and employment assistance.
What was the significance of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 on immigration policies?
The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first significant law to restrict immigration based on nationality, targeting Chinese laborers specifically.
Why was the Gilded Age called the Gilded Age?
Refered to the idea of the age being flashy on the outside, but ugly and corrupt below the surface
What were the effects of the Homestead Act on westward expansion?
The Homestead Act encouraged settlement by providing land grants to individuals, promoting agricultural development in the West.
How did mining booms contribute to the settlement of the West? (200)
Answer: Mining booms attracted settlers seeking fortune, leading to the rapid establishment of towns and infrastructure.
What was the significance of the Populist Party in the late 19th century?
The Populist Party sought to represent the interests of farmers and laborers, advocating for economic reforms.
What was the Grandfather Clause and how did it affect voting rights?
The Grandfather Clause allowed individuals to bypass literacy tests and poll taxes if their grandfathers had voted before, disenfranchising many African Americans.
How did the spoils system influence political appointments during the Gilded Age?
The spoils system allowed politicians to reward loyal supporters with government jobs, often regardless of qualifications.
What was the Exoduster movement and why was it significant?
The Exoduster movement involved African Americans migrating from the South to the West, seeking better opportunities and escaping oppression.
What innovations were introduced to farming during the western transformation? (300)
Answer: Innovations included the steel plow, barbed wire, and mechanized farming equipment, enhancing agricultural productivity.
What did the Compromise of 1877 directly lead to?
The removal of federal troops from the South
Why did women feel betrayed by the 14th and 15th amendments?
Women felt betrayed as these amendments granted voting rights to men but excluded women, highlighting gender discrimination.
How did industrialization during the Gilded Age affect urban populations?
Industrialization led to urbanization as people moved to cities for jobs, resulting in overcrowding and poor living conditions
What role did cash crops play in the economy of the West?
Cash crops, such as wheat and cotton, provided economic incentives for settlers and farmers, driving the agricultural economy in the West
How did the Dawes General Allotment Act affect Native American land ownership? (400)
Answer: The Dawes Act aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land, undermining communal land ownership.
What factors contributed to the poverty of the South after the Civil War?
The reliance on cash crops, lack of industrial development, and destruction from the war contributed to Southern poverty.
What were the key differences between de jure and de facto segregation?
De jure segregation is enforced by law, while de facto segregation occurs through social norms and practices.
What economic issues did farmers face after the Civil War?
Farmers struggled with falling crop prices, high debt, and unfavorable railroad rates, leading to economic hardship
What were the main motivations for settlers to move westward during the 19th century?
Economic opportunities, land ownership, and the promise of a better life were key motivations for settlers moving westward.
In what ways did the transcontinental railroad transform the western United States? (500)
Answer: The transcontinental railroad facilitated trade, migration, and communication, connecting the East and West economically and culturally.
How did the Reconstruction era impact the southern economy?
Reconstruction aimed to rebuild the South's economy, but many regions struggled due to the loss of labor and infrastructure. Many African Americans left the South to pursue jobs and opportunities elsewhere
What significance did the Jim Crow laws have on African Americans in the South?
Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans, institutionalizing systemic racism
How did the Pendleton Civil Service Act change government employment practices?
Answer: The Pendleton Act established merit-based hiring for government jobs, reducing corruption associated with the spoils system.