Chapter 1: Changes on the Western Plains

Vocabulary

100

the use of both gold and silver as a basis for a national monetary system. 

Bimetallism

200

Law enacted which provided 160 acres of land in the West to anyone who would cultivate the land for five years.

Homestead Act

300

printed during the war, little to no value, could not be exchanged for gold or silver.

Greenback

400

political movement that people need a greater voice in government and seeking to advance the interests of farmers and laborers.

Populism

500

Law intended to “americanize” native Americans by distributing reservation lands to individual owners.

Dawes Act

Vocabulary

100

a home built of blocks or prairie turf.

Soddy 

200

African Americans who migrated from the South to Kansas in the post-Reconstruction years.

Exodusters

300

enormous farm in which  a single crop is grown

Bonanza Farm

400

backing dollars solely with gold.

Gold Standard

500

Laws enacted in 1862 and 1890 to help create agricultural colleges by giving federal land to states.

Morrill Act

Vocabulary

100

homes dug into the side of a hill.

Dugout 

200

coins and yellow ink paper money that could be exchanged for gold. 

Hard Money 

300

vast grassland that extends through the central portion of North America.

Great Plains

400

established agricultural experiment stations to help farmers be informed about new developments.

Hatch Act

Multiple Choice

100

1. The Mexican vaquero influence the American cowboy in all of the following except

   1. language 
   2. food 
   3. politics
   4. clothing 

politics

200

Which of the following was most responsible for bringing an end to the era of the wide-open western frontier? 

1. Bonanza Farming

2. Sheep ranching

3. Barbed Wire

4. Railroad

Barbed Wire

300

Why did the policy of treating the Great Plains as a huge reservation change? 

1. Native populations decreased, so they needed less land

2. White settlers began wanting to settle the Great Plains

3. Native Americans refused to remain on the Great Plains

4. The Plains failed to meet the needs of the Natives

White settlers began wanting to settle the Great Plains

400

Why did little of the free land offered by the Homestead Act end up being claimed by settlers? 

1. Most of it was taken by people seeking profits. 
2.  land was too difficult to farm

3. Few settlers wanted to move West at the time. The government put too many restrictions on its use.

• Most of it was taken by people seeking profits. 

500

Which of the following marked the end of the wars between the federal government and the Plains Indians? 

1. The death of Sitting Bull

2.  Treaty of Fort Laramie

3. The massacre at Wounded Knee

4.  Sand Creek Massacre
   
   

• The massacre at Wounded Knee

Multiple Choice

100

Which of the following was NOT central to the life and culture of the Plains Indians in the 1800s? 

1. Land ownership

2. The horse

3. The buffalo

4. The extended family

Land ownership

200

1. Which of the following did NOT intensify the debts that Plains farmers had during the late 1800s?

   1. Inflation

   2. Falling prices

   3. A tight money supply

   4. A shrinking supply of farm land

A shrinking supply of farm land

300

The intent of the Homestead Act was to

1. Encourage white families to develop the West. 

2. Prevent African Americans from settling in the West

3. Make money for the government 

4. Settle Native Americans in farming communities. 

• Encourage white families to develop the West. 

400

The Grange did all of the following except

1. Oppose the banks

2.  Support the banks

3. Oppose the railroads

4.  political candidates

Support the banks 

500

Which of the following marked the collapse of Populism?

1. The election of William McKinley

2.  Panic of 1893

3. The founding of the Grange

4. The “Cross of Gold” Speech

The election of William McKinley