The Great Plains
This region stretches from the Mississippi River toward the Rocky Mountains and is known for its vast grasslands, limited rainfall and relatively few natural forests.
This 1862 law encouraged westward migration by offering settlers 160 acres of land if they lived on and improved it for five years.
What is the Homestead Act?
The completion of this railroad in 1869 connected the eastern and western United States, making it easier to transport people and goods across the country.
Cowboys were responsible for herding this animal across long distances to railroad towns where it could be sold.
What is cattle?
The population of this animal declined dramatically during westward expansion, largely due to overhunting by settlers and hunters, as well as government efforts to weaken Native American communities by destroying their primary source of survival.
What is the buffalo?
The Great Plains experienced extreme weather conditions, including these two challenges that made farming difficult.
What are droughts and severe storms?
In addition to acquiring land, settlers moved west for what reasons?
What were a desire for a fresh start, opportunities for wealth, and technological advancements?
In 1885, anti-Chinese violence in this territory (later a state) resulted in Chinese immigrants being forced from their homes and communities, including the city of Tacoma.
What is Washington?
Despite popular Western movies, cowboys were often members of these three ethnic groups, in addition to White americans.
Who were African Americans, Mexican Americans and Native Americans?
The U.S. government used these institutions to force Native American children to abandon their language, culture and traditions and adopt white American customs.
What were Indian Boarding Schools?
As more settlers moved west, their perception of the Great Plains changed from viewing it as the "Great American Desert" to seeing it as this.
What is fertile farmland and an opportunity for settlement?
These African Americans moved west after the Civil War to escape racial violence and discrimination in the South and seek greater freedom and opportunity.
Who were the Exodusters?
Passed in 1882, this federal law reflected growing anti-Chinese discrimination by prohibiting Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States.
What is the Chinese Exclusion Act?
What were long periods of isolation, loneliness and little comfort?
This Lakota leader helped defeat General Custer's forces at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.
Who was Sitting Bull?
Name two technological advancements that helped settlers overcome the challenges of farming and living on the Great Plains.
What are barbed wire, water pumping windmills, sod houses, dry farming/ wheat farming, steel plow, etc.
Explain how the Homestead Act encouraged westward expansion and why the government offered free land to settlers.
What was the government's effort to encourage settlement, farming and economic development in the West?
Passed in 1892, this law extended Chinese immigration restrictions and required Chinese residents to carry documentation proving their legal right to remain in the United States.
What is the Geary Act?
These two developments made long cattle drives unnecessary and contributed to the end of the cowboy era.
What were barbed wire fences and the expansion of railroads?
This Nez Perce leader led his people on a difficult journey toward Canada while attempting to escape forced relocation, eventually surrendering in 1877.
Who was Chief Joseph?