Rachel Calof’s Story
What was Rachel Calof’s main reason for coming to America?
To escape poverty and build a better life with her husband.
What law allowed settlers to claim free or cheap land by farming it for five years?
The Homestead Act.
Who was Sacagawea?
A Native woman who helped guide and interpret for Lewis and Clark.
What year did the Dakota Wars take place?
1862
What year did North Dakota become a state?
1889
What type of home did Rachel Calof live in during her early years on the prairie?
A sod house.
What was the main material used to build houses on the prairie?
Sod and grass.
Who sent the Corps of Discovery to explore the Louisiana Territory?
The United States government.
What was one major cause of the Dakota Wars?
Broken treaty promises and hunger.
What document outlines the state’s system of laws and rights?
The North Dakota Constitution.
What challenge did Rachel face most often as a homesteader?
Harsh weather and poor shelter.
What word describes the determination settlers needed to survive on the prairie?
Perseverance
What was the main goal of the Corps of Discovery?
To explore and map the Louisiana Purchase and find a route to the Pacific.
What does tribal sovereignty mean?
The right of tribes to govern themselves.
When ND achieved statehood, what other state joined the Union at the same time?
South Dakota.
How does Rachel describe her life in America in the epilogue?
Difficult but worthwhile.
What is a homestead?
Land claimed and settled by a person or family.
What tribe was Sacagawea originally from?
The Shoshone.
How did the Dakota Wars affect Native and settler relations?
They increased distrust and led to loss of land for tribes.
How did becoming a state change life for people in ND?
It brought representation, infrastructure, and recognition as part of the U.S.
What larger ND theme does Rachel Calof’s story represent?
Immigrant struggles and perseverance.
How did the Homestead Act shape life on the prairie?
It encouraged westward expansion and settlement, but life was harsh and required endurance.
Why was Sacagawea’s presence on the journey so important?
She helped with communication, finding food, and symbolized peace to tribes they met.
Why does sovereignty remain important today?
It protects Native nations’ rights to self-government and cultural survival.
What other two names were proposed for the state of North Dakota?
Pembina and Lincoln.