Chapter Seventeen
The West: Exploiting An Empire
Multiple Choice
1. How did mapmakers refer to the Great Plains region of the United States between 1825
and 1860?
A) the Barren Plains
B) the Rockies Region
C) the Great American Desert
D) the Great Frontier
E) Indian Country
Answer: C
Rationale:
Mapmakers referred to the Great Plains region of the United States between 1825 and 1860
as the "Great American Desert" due to the prevailing belief that the area was arid and
unsuitable for farming or settlement.
2. In 1865, about how many Native Americans were living in the western half of the United
States?
A) 10,000
B) 250,000
C) 500,000
D) 750,000
E) 1,000,000
Answer: B
Rationale:
In 1865, approximately 250,000 Native Americans were living in the western half of the
United States. This figure reflects the significant population of Native American communities
in the region during that period.
3. Which of the following Native American groups were peaceful farmers and herdsmen?
A) the Sioux
B) the Kiowa
C) the Seminole
D) the Pueblo peoples
E) the Comanche
Answer: D
Rationale:
The Pueblo peoples were known as peaceful farmers and herdsmen, residing primarily in the
Southwestern United States and engaging in agriculture and animal husbandry as their
primary means of subsistence.
4. By 1880, about how many Native Americans lived in California?
A) 20,000
B) 30,000
C) 40,000
D) 50,000
E) 60,000
Answer: A
Rationale:
By 1880, approximately 20,000 Native Americans lived in California. This figure represents
the Native American population residing in the state during that time period.
5. Which of the following tribes were not Plains Indians?
A) the Hopi
B) the Cheyenne
C) the Sioux
D) the Comanche
E) the Arapaho
Answer: A
Rationale:
The Hopi tribe was not a Plains Indian tribe. They resided primarily in the Southwestern
United States, particularly in what is now Arizona, and their culture and way of life were
distinct from those of the Plains Indian tribes.
6. What is the best way to characterize the Plains tribes?
A) as sedentary and pacific
B) as fishermen and farmers
C) as nomadic and warlike
D) as practitioners of human sacrifice
E) as builders of great cities
Answer: C
Rationale:
The best way to characterize the Plains tribes is as nomadic and warlike. These tribes, such as
the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Comanche, were known for their mobile lifestyle, following the
buffalo herds, and engaging in warfare both among themselves and with settlers.
7. What was the center of the socioeconomic life of the Plains tribes?
A) the sun
B) grain cultivation
C) the buffalo
D) the elk
E) war
Answer: C
Rationale:
The buffalo was the center of the socioeconomic life of the Plains tribes. These tribes
depended heavily on the buffalo for food, clothing, shelter, and various other aspects of their
daily lives.
8. Besides buffalo, what other animal was central to the Plains Indians’ economy and culture?
A) the dog
B) the elks
C) deer
D) the horse
E) the jackrabbit
Answer: D
Rationale:
Besides buffalo, the horse was central to the Plains Indians' economy and culture. The
introduction of horses by Europeans transformed the way of life for Plains tribes, enabling
them to hunt more effectively, engage in warfare, and travel greater distances.
9. In the 1850s, government policy changed toward Native Americans in that now the
government ________.
A) exterminated them
B) defined boundaries for each tribe
C) gave each Native American “40 acres and a mule” for farming
D) provoked intertribal warfare
E) ignored them and hoped they would eventually die out
Answer: B
Rationale:
In the 1850s, government policy changed toward Native Americans in that the government
began to define boundaries for each tribe, often through treaties and agreements. This marked
a shift towards the reservation system, which aimed to confine Native American tribes to
specific territories.
10. Who led the massacre at Sand Creek in 1864?
A) William J. Fetterman
B) George A. Custer
C) William Sherman
D) John Chivington
E) Joseph Smith
Answer: D
Rationale:
The massacre at Sand Creek in 1864 was led by John Chivington, a colonel in the U.S. Army.
Chivington's troops attacked a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho encampment, resulting in the
deaths of hundreds of Native American men, women, and children.
11. Which of the following involved the largest Native American army ever assembled in the
United States?
A) the Battle of Wounded Knee
B) the Battle of Sand Creek
C) the Battle of the Little Bighorn
D) the Fetterman Massacre
E) the “Trail of Tears”
Answer: C
Rationale:
The Battle of the Little Bighorn involved the largest Native American army ever assembled in
the United States. Led by Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, this coalition decisively
defeated the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment under the command of General George
Armstrong Custer.
12. By 1890, many of the Teton Sioux turned to the ritual of ________, hoping that it would
bring back Native American lands.
A) the Ghost Dance
B) the Sun Dance
C) human sacrifice
D) Catholicism
E) the Great White Father
Answer: A
Rationale:
By 1890, many of the Teton Sioux turned to the ritual of the Ghost Dance, hoping that it
would bring back Native American lands and restore their traditional way of life. The Ghost
Dance movement emerged as a spiritual revival and resistance movement among various
Native American tribes in the late 19th century.
13. In 1871, Congress ________.
A) stopped dealing with Native American tribes as sovereign nations
B) started dealing with Native American tribes as sovereign nations
C) tried to restore lands to Native Americans
D) rejected the Dawes Act
E) began a systematic slaughter of all Native Americans still living in tribes
Answer: A
Rationale:
In 1871, Congress stopped dealing with Native American tribes as sovereign nations. The
Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 effectively ended the practice of making treaties with
Native American tribes, marking a shift in federal policy towards assimilation and reservation
confinement.
14. What was considered the final blow to the Plains Indians’ way of life?
A) the deaths of the major Native American leaders
B) the extermination of the buffalo herds
C) incessant tribal warfare
D) the reservation system
E) the introduction of crop farming
Answer: B
Rationale:
The extermination of the buffalo herds was considered the final blow to the Plains Indians'
way of life. The buffalo provided essential resources for the Plains tribes, including food,
clothing, shelter, and tools. The decimation of the buffalo population severely disrupted their
traditional way of life.
15. The first movement west ________.
A) headed for the Middle Plains region
B) focused on the Southwest
C) rushed to Oregon and California
D) followed the traditional path of earlier settlers
E) steered toward the Great Lakes region
Answer: C
Rationale:
The first movement west rushed to Oregon and California. This movement, often referred to
as the Oregon Trail migration, saw large numbers of settlers heading westward in search of
land, gold, and new opportunities during the mid-19th century.
16. The control of what became a dominant issue in the western Great Plains?
A) gold and silver mines
B) grazing rights
C) water
D) the land
E) the routes of the great cattle drives
Answer: C
Rationale:
The control of water became a dominant issue in the western Great Plains. As settlers and
ranchers moved into the region, competition for water resources, particularly for irrigation
and agriculture, intensified.
17. What was a common sight for pioneers heading west on the Oregon and other trails?
A) the bleached bones of those who had gone before
B) menacing bands of hostile Indians
C) piles of trash discarded by previous travelers
D) towns in which gambling and drinking predominated
E) cattle drives heading north
Answer: C
Rationale:
A common sight for pioneers heading west on the Oregon and other trails was piles of trash
discarded by previous travelers. The trails became littered with discarded items and debris as
thousands of pioneers made the journey westward during the mid-19th century.
18. Which of the following were the West’s largest landowners?
A) railroad companies
B) immigrants
C) eastern settlers
D) Native Americans
E) Mexicans
Answer: A
Rationale:
Railroad companies were the West's largest landowners. Through grants and acquisitions,
railroad companies acquired vast tracts of land across the western United States, which they
often sold or developed to support railroad construction and expansion.
19. Which federal law in 1902 used the proceeds from land sales to finance irrigation projects
in the West?
A) the National Reclamation Act (Newlands Act)
B) the Timber Culture Act
C) the Timber and Stone Act
D) the Homestead Act
E) the Western Watering Act
Answer: A
Rationale:
The National Reclamation Act (Newlands Act) of 1902 used the proceeds from land sales to
finance irrigation projects in the West. This legislation aimed to promote agricultural
development and settlement in arid regions by providing federal support for irrigation
infrastructure.
20. Which of the following industries was the first to attract large numbers of people to the
West?
A) cattle ranching
B) farming
C) fur trapping
D) herding
E) mining
Answer: E
Rationale:
Mining was the first industry to attract large numbers of people to the West. The discovery of
gold and other valuable minerals in states like California, Colorado, and Nevada sparked
major population booms and economic growth during the mid-19th century.
21. Where did the techniques of the western cattle industry originate?
A) Mexico
B) Spain
C) New England
D) the plantation South
E) the Midwest
Answer: A
Rationale:
The techniques of the western cattle industry originated in Mexico. Spanish ranching
practices, including the use of cattle drives and branding, were adopted and adapted by
Mexican vaqueros and later by American cowboys in the western United States.
22. Who was largely responsible for the idea of driving cattle from Texas to railheads?
A) William Hickok
B) Joseph G. McCoy
C) Charles Goodnight
D) Henry Comstock
E) Hank Chisholm
Answer: B
Rationale:
Joseph G. McCoy was largely responsible for the idea of driving cattle from Texas to
railheads. McCoy established the first successful cattle-shipping facilities in Abilene, Kansas,
in the 1860s, providing a crucial link between Texas ranchers and eastern markets via the
newly built railroads.
23. Approximately 50 percent of cowboys driving the great herds from Texas to city markets
in the 1870s were ________.
A) Asian Americans
B) African Americans and Mexicans
C) Europeans
D) Native Americans
E) women
Answer: B
Rationale:
Approximately 50 percent of cowboys driving the great herds from Texas to city markets in
the 1870s were African Americans and Mexicans. These individuals played significant roles
in the cattle industry as cowboys, trail drivers, and ranch workers.
24. Where did the “final fling” of settlement on the western frontier occur?
A) California
B) Oklahoma
C) Missouri
D) Oregon
E) Arizona
Answer: B
Rationale:
The "final fling" of settlement on the western frontier occurred in Oklahoma. The opening of
the Oklahoma Territory to settlement in the late 19th century attracted thousands of
homesteaders and land speculators seeking new opportunities for farming and settlement.
25. Who was Frederick Jackson Turner?
A) the founder of the National Grange
B) the historian who first developed the frontier thesis
C) the most notorious of the western badmen
D) the discoverer of the Comstock Lode
E) a famous wagon train boss
Answer: B
Rationale:
Frederick Jackson Turner was the historian who first developed the frontier thesis. In his
influential essay "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" (1893), Turner
argued that the existence of the frontier played a central role in shaping the American
character and promoting democracy.
26. What were some of the challenges of settling the land west of the Mississippi River in the
late 1800s?
A) The region got little rainfall, and there was little lumber available for housing.
B) The region was frequently flooded by its rivers, which made farming difficult.
C) The Great Plains had many deserts and this made travel and farming difficult.
D) The region had various Native American groups who would not leave their land.
E) The Great Plains were known for their severe and unpredictable weather patterns.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Some of the challenges of settling the land west of the Mississippi River in the late 1800s
included limited rainfall and a scarcity of lumber for housing, particularly in arid regions
such as the Great Plains.
27. Which statement best describes the Plains Indians?
A) They were organized into one large and powerful tribal group.
B) They were an insignificant proportion of the total Native American population in the
United States in 1870.
C) They were a complex of tribes, cultures, and bands that assigned most work on the basis
of gender.
D) They were at a distinct disadvantage when fighting whites because of their weapons.
E) They had advanced farming techniques and complex building structures.
Answer: C
Rationale:
The statement that best describes the Plains Indians is that they were a complex of tribes,
cultures, and bands that assigned most work on the basis of gender. Plains Indian societies
were diverse and included various tribes, each with its own cultural practices, social
structures, and divisions of labor.
28. Which of the following was NOT a factor in the U.S. government’s abandonment of the
policy of one large reservation for Native Americans after 1851?
A) Wagon trains hoped to cross the Great Plains without hindrances.
B) Prospectors kept finding more gold and silver all over the West.
C) Indians had traditional rivalries and needed to be kept apart.
D) A transcontinental railroad was being planned across the land.
E) The government wanted to clear the way for settlement.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Indians had traditional rivalries and needed to be kept apart was NOT a factor in the U.S.
government’s abandonment of the policy of one large reservation for Native Americans after
1851. The other options, such as the desire to facilitate westward expansion, the discovery of
valuable resources, and the need for transportation infrastructure, were significant factors
influencing this policy change.
29. Which of the following statements describes government policy toward Native Americans
in the 1860s?
A) It ignored or opposed tribal organization.
B) It was consistent but not successful because of tribal organization.
C) It was formulated by humanitarians who wanted to preserve tribal organization.
D) It was a failure because the Indians insisted on being farmers.
E) It was based on a system of hierarchy toward various groups.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Government policy toward Native Americans in the 1860s involved ignoring or opposing
tribal organization. The federal government sought to undermine Native American
sovereignty and cultural autonomy through policies such as forced relocation, treaty
violations, and assimilation efforts.
30. Why did American reformers argue against segregating Native Americans on
reservations?
A) They thought Native Americans should be sent to the North where they could live freely.
B) They felt that reservations took too much land away from white settlers.
C) They felt that Native Americans should be allowed to live their traditional lifestyles in the
West.
D) They believed that Native Americans should be assimilated into white American culture.
E) They felt that reservations should include both Native Americans and white settlers.
Answer: D
Rationale:
American reformers argued against segregating Native Americans on reservations because
they believed that Native Americans should be assimilated into white American culture. This
assimilationist perspective was influenced by notions of cultural superiority and the belief
that Native Americans needed to adopt Western ways of life to be considered civilized.
31. How did the Dawes Severalty Act of 1877 try to “civilize” Native Americans?
A) by turning them into landowning ranchers and farmers
B) by making public education compulsory on reservations
C) by threatening to exterminate Indians if they refused to adopt white culture
D) by sending Christian missionaries to convert Indians
E) by arranging for their children to be fostered out to white families
Answer: A
Rationale:
The Dawes Severalty Act of 1877 attempted to "civilize" Native Americans by turning them
into landowning ranchers and farmers. The Act sought to break up tribal landholdings and
allocate individual parcels of land to Native American families in an effort to encourage
assimilation into white American society.
32. All of the following were part of the national government’s policy toward Native
Americans from the early 1870s to the mid-1880s EXCEPT ________.
A) signing separate peace treaties with specific Indian tribes
B) trying Native Americans in federal courts
C) giving individual Native Americans parcels of land
D) assimilating Native Americans into urban life
E) establishing Native American schools
Answer: D
Rationale:
All of the options were part of the national government’s policy toward Native Americans
from the early 1870s to the mid-1880s except assimilating Native Americans into urban life.
The government primarily focused on policies such as signing separate peace treaties, trying
Native Americans in federal courts, allocating individual land allotments, and establishing
Native American schools as part of its assimilation efforts.
33. What was the main reason most people moved west between 1870 and 1900?
A) to seek freedom from religious persecution
B) to escape the drab routine of factory life
C) to escape the diseased conditions of crowded eastern cities
D) to improve their economic situation
E) to escape from invading Native American groups
Answer: D
Rationale:
The main reason most people moved west between 1870 and 1900 was to improve their
economic situation. The lure of available land, natural resources, and economic opportunities
in the West attracted settlers seeking better prospects and a chance for prosperity.
34. Which of the following phrases describes the journey for most settlers westward?
A) All members of the journey had tasks to fulfill on the trail.
B) Only men migrated westward.
C) Most settlers tried to make the journey as quickly as possible.
D) The journey was easier for men than women.
E) It was a disciplined and efficient enterprise.
Answer: A
Rationale:
The phrase "All members of the journey had tasks to fulfill on the trail" describes the journey
for most settlers westward. On pioneer trails like the Oregon Trail, settlers typically had
assigned roles and responsibilities, with each member contributing to the group's survival and
progress.
35. Why is it not accurate to say that people moved westward to settle the American West in
the 1870s and 1880s?
A) because many people in the Northwest traveled southeast to the Great Plains
B) because Mexicans traveled north and Asians traveled east to settle in the West
C) because Mexicans traveled east from California to settle in the Great Plains
D) because western Europeans traveled east in order to settle in the West
E) because Asians in the West traveled east to reach the Great Plains
Answer: B
Rationale:
It is not accurate to say that people moved westward to settle the American West in the 1870s
and 1880s because Mexicans traveled north and Asians traveled east to settle in the West.
While some movement occurred within the West, the directional patterns of migration were
diverse, with people from various backgrounds and origins moving in different directions to
settle in different regions of the West.
36. Why did the Homestead Act of 1862 not work as Congress had hoped?
A) It charged too much for government land.
B) The land allotments were insufficient for farming arid land.
C) It did not adequately convert Native Americans to farming.
D) Gold was discovered on land set aside for farming.
E) Too few settlers were willing to migrate to the West.
Answer: B
Rationale:
The Homestead Act of 1862 did not work as Congress had hoped because the land allotments
were insufficient for farming arid land. The 160-acre parcels provided by the Homestead Act
were often inadequate for successful farming in regions with limited rainfall or poor soil
quality, leading to widespread failure and disillusionment among homesteaders.
37. In what way did the National Reclamation Act of 1902 help settlement in the West?
A) It restricted immigration from Asia and parts of Europe so that there would be more land
for Easterners moving west.
B) It reclaimed hundreds of acres of land from Native Americans and made it available to
white settlers.
C) It restricted cattle to specific areas of land, so that farmers would have more land for
cultivation.
D) It gave 160 acres of land to anyone who would pay a registration fee and cultivate the land
for five years.
E) It financed irrigation projects, such as dams and canals, which brought water to the area.
Answer: E
Rationale:
The National Reclamation Act of 1902 helped settlement in the West by financing irrigation
projects, such as dams and canals, which brought water to the area. This legislation facilitated
agricultural development and settlement in arid regions by providing federal support for
water management and irrigation infrastructure.
38. What contributed to the late nineteenth century Southwest being largely Spanish
American?
A) The heavy Spanish influence there was due to the original Spanish settlers.
B) There were very few Anglo-Americans who wanted to settle the Southwest.
C) It was originally part of Mexico and many Mexicans still had communities there.
D) Mexico did not allow people from the eastern United States to settle there.
E) English settlers were reluctant to learn Spanish, so they settled elsewhere.
Answer: A
Rationale:
The late nineteenth-century Southwest was largely Spanish American due to the heavy
Spanish influence from the original Spanish settlers. Spanish colonization and settlement in
the region, combined with cultural continuity and intermarriage, contributed to the
predominance of Spanish American communities in areas such as New Mexico and southern
Arizona.
39. What caused “instant cities” to arise in the West in the late nineteenth century?
A) City builders rushed to the West to take advantage of the cheap land.
B) People rushed to the West for economic opportunities, and cities sprang up quickly.
C) Easterners were anxious to replicate the cities they had left and built quickly.
D) Building materials were so cheap that it made sense to build an entire city instantly instead
of letting it develop over time.
E) White settlers took over western settlements that had already been built by Native
Americans.
Answer: B
Rationale:
"People rushed to the West for economic opportunities, and cities sprang up quickly" explains
the phenomenon of "instant cities" in the late nineteenth century. The lure of economic
prospects, including mining, agriculture, trade, and urban development, attracted a rapid
influx of settlers to the West, leading to the rapid growth and establishment of new cities and
towns.
40. What was the significance of the Big Bonanza in 1873?
A) It made Henry Comstock the richest man in the world.
B) It was the largest wheat farm on the Great Plains.
C) It was discovered near Pike’s Peak in California.
D) It was the richest discovery in the history of mining.
E) It indirectly led to an uprising of Sioux Indians.
Answer: D
Rationale:
The Big Bonanza in 1873 was significant because "It was the richest discovery in the history
of mining." This massive silver strike, located in the Comstock Lode of Nevada, yielded
enormous quantities of silver ore, leading to a significant economic boom and attracting
thousands of miners and investors to the region.
41. What was the cause of the great decrease in the number of Chinese immigrants in the late
nineteenth century?
A) Chinese laborers were treated so poorly in the West that fewer immigrants wanted to come
to the United States.
B) China severely restricted immigration to the United States beginning in the 1880s.
C) The Homestead Act did not apply to Chinese immigrants and thus there was no land
available for them.
D) Many Chinese laborers found better work in Europe than in the United States.
E) The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 suspended immigration of Chinese laborers.
Answer: E
Rationale:
The great decrease in the number of Chinese immigrants in the late nineteenth century was
primarily due to "The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882" which "suspended immigration of
Chinese laborers." This discriminatory legislation marked the first significant restriction on
immigration to the United States based on nationality and contributed to a sharp decline in
Chinese immigration.
42. What stimulated the western cattle industry?
A) court decisions that allowed livestock to be transported across state lines
B) the discovery of precious metals that made money available for investment in ranching
C) railroads and a population increase in the eastern United States
D) a decline in the amount of beef imported to the United States
E) dietary changes in the eastern United States
Answer: C
Rationale:
The western cattle industry was stimulated by "railroads and a population increase in the
eastern United States." The expansion of railroads provided the means for transporting cattle
to eastern markets, while a growing population in the East created a demand for beef, leading
to the development of large-scale cattle ranching in the West.
43. Ranching was changing in each of the following ways by the late 1800s EXCEPT
________.
A) ranchers were fencing off their lands and reducing the size of their herds
B) ranchers were crossbreeding the longhorns with Hereford and Angus bulls
C) ranches were getting larger
D) some ranchers were abandoning cattle in favor of raising sheep
E) ranchers were growing hay for winter fodder
Answer: C
Rationale:
Ranching was changing in each of the following ways by the late 1800s except that "ranches
were getting larger." While some ranches did expand in size, many others were subdivided or
broken up due to fencing, land privatization, and the enclosure of open ranges by settlers,
leading to fragmentation rather than overall growth in ranch size.
44. What was the main cause of the increase in the number of farmers in the West after 1870?
A) the decline of ranching
B) failed miners looking for new opportunities
C) the American belief in economic opportunity in the West
D) an increase in the birthrate of the western farmers
E) advances in farming by irrigation
Answer: C
Rationale:
The main cause of the increase in the number of farmers in the West after 1870 was "the
American belief in economic opportunity in the West." The allure of available land,
agricultural potential, and the promise of economic prosperity motivated many individuals
and families to pursue farming and settlement in the Western territories.
45. How did barbed wire change the lives of farmers on the Great Plains?
A) It allowed farmers to establish the boundaries of their farms, which had not previously
been possible.
B) It made it possible for farmers to leave their farms for extended periods of time.
C) It helped farmers get cattle to northern markets along the cattle trails.
D) It kept Native Americans away from their farms so that their land was protected.
E) It ended the era of vast open ranges.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Barbed wire changed the lives of farmers on the Great Plains by "ending the era of vast open
ranges." The widespread use of barbed wire fencing allowed farmers to enclose their land,
protect their crops and livestock from roaming cattle, and establish private property rights,
effectively closing off the open ranges to free-ranging cattle and signaling the end of the
open-range cattle industry.
46. Which of these made bonanza farms possible?
A) the Homestead Act
B) agricultural machinery
C) the National Reclamation Act
D) cattle drives
E) irrigation
Answer: B
Rationale:
Bonanza farms were made possible by "agricultural machinery." The use of advanced
farming equipment and technology allowed for large-scale, mechanized farming operations,
enabling the cultivation of extensive tracts of land with minimal labor, thus leading to the
establishment of bonanza farms.
47. Why did Oliver H. Kelley first organize the Grange in 1867?
A) to provide social, cultural, and educational activities for farmers
B) to allow farmers to have a say in government
C) to organize farmers into a union for collective bargaining
D) to keep peace between farmers and cattlemen in the West
E) to provide collective insurance for farmers and their land
Answer: A
Rationale:
Oliver H. Kelley first organized the Grange in 1867 "to provide social, cultural, and
educational activities for farmers." The Grange, also known as the Patrons of Husbandry,
aimed to foster community among farmers, provide educational opportunities, and advocate
for their economic interests.
48. What debate existed in the 1860s between whites in the East and West over what to do
about Native Americans?
A) Easterners wanted a peaceful policy of assimilation, while those in the West who feared
attacks, wanted a firmer control over Native Americans.
B) Easterners wanted Native Americans to be segregated on reservations, while those in the
West wanted Native Americans to be assimilated into white society.
C) Easterners wanted Native Americans to move further west, while Westerners believed they
should be allowed to stay where they were.
D) Easterners felt that until Native Americans were fully controlled, they could not have any
rights, whereas Westerners wanted them to have equal rights.
E) Easterners felt that Native Americans should be allowed to live their traditional nomadic
lifestyles, while Westerners wanted them to be assimilated into American culture.
Answer: A
Rationale:
The debate in the 1860s between whites in the East and West over what to do about Native
Americans centered on the issue that "Easterners wanted a peaceful policy of assimilation,
while those in the West who feared attacks, wanted a firmer control over Native Americans."
This reflects differing perspectives on how to manage Native American populations, with
Easterners advocating for assimilation and cooperation, while Westerners sought stricter
control due to perceived threats.
49. What does the following quote from a historian mean regarding western migration? “The
quest for something new would take place in the context of the very familiar.”
A) Families would only migrate to the West after they had sent an individual ahead who
would report back to them.
B) People only migrated in family groups if they already had family established out West.
C) Families tended to travel back and forth between their old homes and their new homes
until they felt entirely comfortable out West.
D) Most families who traveled west had experience with migration before and thus, the trip
was not new to them.
E) People made every effort to keep their migration experience as familiar as possible,
including traveling in family groups.
Answer: E
Rationale:
The quote means that "People made every effort to keep their migration experience as
familiar as possible, including traveling in family groups." It suggests that despite the quest
for new opportunities and experiences in the West, migrants sought to maintain familiar
social structures and support networks, often traveling in family units to mitigate the
challenges of the unfamiliar environment.
50. How do the views of “new Western historians” contrast with Frederick Jackson Turner’s
thesis about the westward migration?
A) Turner viewed the migration as a fluid back and forth between the East and West, but new
historians point out that very few families who migrated west returned east.
B) Turner viewed the migration as a mix of cultures struggling to get along with Native
Americans, but new historians point out that many Native Americans were helpful to the new
settlers.
C) Turner saw the migration as a wave of white migrants who traveled west, but new
historians look at it as a set of various groups moving in many directions and interacting with
each other.
D) Turner saw the migration as a long process, but new historians have pointed out that the
entire wave of migration was very concentrated and took place over a relatively short period
of time.
E) Turner viewed the migration as a very negative experience for the travelers, but new
historians point out that the experience was both positive and negative.
Answer: C
Rationale:
The views of "new Western historians" contrast with Frederick Jackson Turner’s thesis about
westward migration in that Turner saw the migration as "a wave of white migrants who
traveled west," while new historians perceive it as "a set of various groups moving in many
directions and interacting with each other." Turner's emphasis on a unidirectional movement
of white settlers overlooks the complexity and diversity of migration patterns, interactions,
and cultural exchanges that characterized the westward expansion.
Essay
1. How did the environment of the Great Plains differ from that of the eastern United States?
What problems did this pose for farmers?
Answer: The Great Plains presented a stark contrast to the environment of the eastern United
States. While the East was characterized by abundant rainfall, fertile soil, and a variety of
vegetation, the Great Plains were arid, with limited rainfall and vast stretches of grassland.
This posed significant challenges for farmers on the Plains. The soil was often thin and
lacked the nutrients necessary for sustained agriculture. Additionally, the unpredictable
weather, including droughts, blizzards, and tornadoes, made farming even more precarious.
Lack of natural barriers also led to soil erosion, exacerbating the difficulties faced by farmers.
2. What factors contributed to the defeat of the Plains Indians?
Answer: Several factors contributed to the defeat of the Plains Indians. One significant factor
was the superior military technology and organization of the United States government and
its military forces. The introduction of repeating rifles, artillery, and the telegraph enabled the
U.S. Army to wage more effective campaigns against the Plains tribes. Additionally, the
decline of the buffalo herds, a vital resource for many Plains Indian tribes, due to overhunting
by settlers and the U.S. government further weakened their ability to resist. Furthermore, the
policy of containment through the establishment of reservations limited the mobility and
autonomy of the Plains tribes, making it easier for the U.S. government to exert control over
them.
3. What government policies facilitated the settlement and development of the West?
Answer: Several government policies played crucial roles in facilitating the settlement and
development of the West. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres of free land to
settlers who agreed to live on and cultivate the land for five years, thereby encouraging
westward migration and agricultural development. The Pacific Railway Acts provided land
grants and subsidies to railroad companies to construct transcontinental railroads, which
facilitated transportation and access to the West for settlers and goods. Additionally, policies
such as the Morrill Land-Grant Acts supported the establishment of agricultural and technical
colleges, contributing to the education and development of Western communities.
4. Contrast life on the western frontier for the miner, the cattleman, and the farmer. What
social and economic factors contributed to the lifestyle developed by each group?
Answer: Life on the western frontier varied significantly for miners, cattleman, and farmers.
Miners, drawn by the prospect of striking it rich in gold and silver rushes, often faced harsh
and isolated conditions in mining camps. Their lives were characterized by physical labor,
lawlessness, and boom-and-bust cycles driven by fluctuations in mineral prices. Cattlemen,
on the other hand, roamed the open range, herding cattle along established trails to railheads
for transportation to eastern markets. Their lifestyle was shaped by the vastness of the
frontier, the challenges of managing large herds, and conflicts with Native American tribes
and farmers over land and resources. Farmers, particularly those who settled on the Great
Plains, faced the daunting task of taming the land and adapting to its harsh environment.
They grappled with challenges such as drought, soil erosion, and isolation, but also enjoyed
greater stability and the opportunity to build permanent communities. Socially, each group
developed distinct cultures and identities shaped by their respective occupations, while
economically, their livelihoods were influenced by factors such as market demand,
government policies, and environmental conditions.
Test Bank for The American Story
Robert A. Divine, T. H. Breen, R. Hal Williams, Ariela J. Gross, H. W. Brands
9780205900688
