American History 1865-1900: The West and South
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Questions and Answers

What year was the last state added to the Union mentioned in the table?

  • 1890
  • 1896 (correct)
  • 1864
  • 1889
  • Which of the following was NOT a factor discouraging settlement in the Western Plateau?

  • Harsh weather conditions
  • Presence of bison herds (correct)
  • Low rainfall
  • Lack of trees
  • Which state was not part of the Western region as described in the text?

  • Colorado
  • Nevada
  • California
  • Texas (correct)
  • What year marked the beginning of the gold rush that helped settle the Western region?

    <p>1848 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major event contributed to the dramatic change in the Great Plains conditions in 35 years?

    <p>The decline of the buffalo herds (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be inferred about the relationship between the West and other parts of the United States during this era?

    <p>The West was economically dependent on the Northeast, leading to resentment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the impact of the mining boom on the Native Americans in the West?

    <p>Native Americans were forced to relocate and lost their traditional lands due to the mining boom. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Based on the text, how did the settlement of the West impact the environment?

    <p>It led to a significant depletion of natural resources, particularly the buffalo. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the main outcomes of the discovery of the Comstock Lode?

    <p>Nevada entered the Union as a state. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What change in mining methods occurred as the gold rush progressed?

    <p>From placer mining with simple tools to deep-shaft mining. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which act restricted immigration based on nationality in the United States?

    <p>Chinese Exclusion Act. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of the cattle drives initiated by ranchers post-Civil War?

    <p>They connected Texas cattle to eastern markets. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did mining towns typically evolve during the mining booms?

    <p>They transformed into industrial cities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the Homestead Act of 1862 aim to achieve?

    <p>To promote farming by offering free land. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group primarily made up the labor force in mining towns during the 1860s?

    <p>Experience miners from Europe, Latin America, and China. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which economic activities emerged in cow towns along the railroads?

    <p>Cattle handling and trading. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did Carl Schurz play in the protection of federal lands?

    <p>He pushed for the establishment of forest reserves. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following inventions contributed to the growth of the 'New South' economy?

    <p>Improved railroads (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which movement aimed to preserve natural areas from human interference?

    <p>Preservationism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Forest Management Act of 1897 contribute to environmental preservation?

    <p>It regulated the use of federal timberlands. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes the economic condition of the South by 1900?

    <p>Agriculture remained dominant, and the South was the poorest region. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which state became the capital of the nation’s tobacco industry?

    <p>Virginia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a characteristic of the conservation movement in 1900?

    <p>It included organizations such as the Sierra Club and Arbor Day. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Henry Grady advocate for in the 'New South' vision?

    <p>Economic diversity and laissez-faire capitalism. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary focus of Ida B. Wells' activism?

    <p>Campaigning against lynching and Jim Crow laws (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organization did Bishop Henry Turner form in 1894?

    <p>The International Migration Society (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Booker T. Washington's approach to racial issues?

    <p>Promoting a strategy of self-reliance and economic independence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor largely contributed to the influx of families farming the Great Plains between 1870 and 1900?

    <p>Promotions of railroads and land speculators (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What trend occurred in the agricultural sector by the end of the 1800s in the United States?

    <p>Shift towards larger farms operated like factories (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor contributed to the falling prices of agricultural products by the end of the 1800s?

    <p>Increased production from multiple countries (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant challenge faced by the first 'sodbusters' on the Great Plains?

    <p>Scarcity of water and wood (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following was a significant economic challenge faced by farmers in the late 1800s?

    <p>High operational costs with low consumer prices (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What invention is Joseph Glidden known for that helped farmers on the Great Plains?

    <p>Barbed wire (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact did the Homestead Act have on the farming landscape of the Great Plains?

    <p>It led to widespread failures among two-thirds of homesteaders. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect did deflation in the late 1800s have on farmers?

    <p>Led to increased debts for farmers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a common response to the high prices charged by railroads and other corporations?

    <p>Farmers formed cooperatives to reduce costs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Turner’s Frontier Thesis primarily concerned with?

    <p>The significance of the frontier in shaping American culture. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group of American Indians primarily farmed and lived in permanent settlements?

    <p>Hopi and Zuni (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What legislation aimed to reorganize and support Native American tribes in 1934?

    <p>Indian Reorganization Act (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which historical figure is associated with the founding of the Sierra Club?

    <p>John Muir (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environmental adaptation did surviving homesteaders adopt due to farming challenges?

    <p>Adopting deep-plowing techniques (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors contributed to the rise of the mining frontier in the West?

    <p>The discovery of precious metals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Turner view as a potential threat to the United States at the closing of the frontier?

    <p>The inability to release societal discontent (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary aim of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?

    <p>To temporarily restrict Chinese labor immigration (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which event is most directly associated with the conflicts between American settlers and Native American tribes?

    <p>Little Big Horn (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What agricultural strategy became prominent in the arid regions of the West to maximize water usage?

    <p>Dry farming (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to the economic system where farmers worked land owned by someone else for a share of the crops?

    <p>Sharecropping (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept emphasizes the importance of the frontier in shaping American identity, as proposed by Frederick Jackson Turner?

    <p>Turner Thesis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Post-Civil War Industrialization

    The period after the Civil War where rapid industrialization occurred in the Northeast and Midwest, while the South and West primarily supplied raw materials and consumed manufactured goods.

    American Society as a Frontier

    The concept that American society is constantly being reinvented by new opportunities and experiences, particularly from the frontier.

    The Western Frontier

    The vast expanse of land including the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Western Plateau, which was considered inhospitable before the 1860s.

    Transformation of the Great Plains

    The rapid transformation of the Great Plains from a bison-dominated landscape to a land of homesteads, ranches, and railroads.

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    Cattle Drives

    The practice of driving cattle over long distances to markets, often from Texas to the North.

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    The Mining Frontier

    The pursuit of gold and silver, which began in California and spread across the West, leading to the settlement of many states.

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    Pike's Peak Gold Rush

    A major event in 1859 that drew thousands of miners to the area, marking the beginning of Colorado's settlement.

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    Impact of Western Expansion on Native Americans

    The significant negative impact on Native American cultures and populations due to the westward expansion.

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    Deep-shaft mining

    A process where miners dig deep into the earth using expensive technology to access valuable minerals, often replacing the simpler placer mining method.

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    Boomtown

    A town that grew rapidly due to the discovery of gold or silver, often filled with saloons, dance halls, and vigilante justice.

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    Ghost town

    A town that once thrived due to mining but became deserted after the resources were depleted.

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    Chinese Exclusion Act

    A law passed in 1882 that banned further immigration of Chinese workers to the United States, based on race and nationality.

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    Cattle frontier

    Vast grasslands that extended from Texas to Canada, which became a major focus of the cattle industry after the Civil War.

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    Cow towns

    Cattle ranches often located along railroads, where cattle were gathered and shipped to markets.

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    Homestead Act

    A law passed in 1862 that offered 160 acres of public land to families who settled on it for five years, encouraging farming on the Great Plains.

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    Challenges of Great Plains Farming

    The Great Plains faced harsh conditions like extreme weather, scarce water, and lack of trees leading to the development of unique farming techniques like dry farming and deep plowing. These challenges also led to the invention of barbed wire and windmills.

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    Oklahoma Land Rush

    The Oklahoma Land Rush was one of the last major land rushes in the American West, where settlers raced to claim land in the newly opened Oklahoma Territory. This event symbolizes the closing of the Western frontier.

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    Turner's Frontier Thesis

    Frederick Jackson Turner's Frontier Thesis argued that the westward expansion had a profound impact on American culture, promoting individualism, democracy, and inventiveness. It also emphasized the frontier's role as a safety valve for social discontent.

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    Frontier as a Safety Valve

    The availability of free land in the West acted as a safety valve, allowing people to escape overcrowding and social unrest in the East, reducing pressure on social and economic systems.

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    End of the Frontier

    The end of the Western frontier was a significant event marking the completion of westward expansion in the United States. This marked a shift in American history and had implications for the nation's future.

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    Native American Diversity

    Before the arrival of settlers, the Great Plains were home to numerous Native American tribes and cultural groups, each with unique traditions, languages, and ways of life. Some groups were farmers, while others practiced nomadic hunting and gathering.

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    Navajo and Apache

    The Navajo and Apache, nomadic tribes of the Southwest, adapted to the diverse environment by farming, raising livestock, and creating crafts. This demonstrates the resourcefulness of Native Americans in utilizing their environment.

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    Preservationism

    A movement that advocated for preserving wilderness areas from human development, led by figures like John Muir.

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    Conservationism

    A movement that believed in using natural resources sustainably through scientific management, balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

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    New South Movement

    A shift in the Southern economy in the late 19th century that aimed for industrialization and economic diversification, hoping to create a more self-sufficient South.

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    Henry Grady

    A key figure in the New South Movement, Henry Grady advocated for embracing laissez-faire capitalism and industrialization to spur economic growth in the South.

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    Birmingham

    A prominent steel producer in the South, highlighting the industrial growth in the late 19th century.

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    Memphis

    A leading lumber center in the South, showcasing economic development in the late 19th century.

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    Richmond

    The capital of the nation's tobacco industry, demonstrating the rise of new industries in the South.

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    Continued Poverty in the New South

    Despite industrialization, the South remained largely agricultural and poverty-stricken, highlighting the uneven development of the

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    Black Newspapers and Racial Injustice

    Black newspapers played a significant role in campaigning against racial injustice, particularly lynching and Jim Crow laws, despite facing threats and resistance.

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    African American Migration to the North

    The International Migration Society, established in 1894, facilitated the northward migration of African Americans seeking better opportunities, with Kansas and Oklahoma being popular destinations.

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    Booker T. Washington's Philosophy

    Booker T. Washington, a prominent African American leader, advocated for economic self-reliance and racial harmony. He believed that African Americans should focus on improving their economic standing through hard work and earning respect through their contributions.

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    W.E.B. Du Bois' Response to Washington

    W.E.B. Du Bois, a prominent civil rights leader, disagreed with Washington's approach, advocating for immediate social and political equality for African Americans, rejecting the idea of accommodation and segregation.

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    Commercialization of Farming

    By the late 1800s, farming in the United States became increasingly commercialized and specialized, with farmers focusing on producing single cash crops and relying on technology and larger farms.

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    Falling Crop Prices

    Increased global agricultural production led to a decline in prices for crops like wheat and cotton, impacting American farmers financially.

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    100th meridian

    The 100th meridian is a line of longitude that runs north-south through the center of the United States, marking the transition from the humid eastern states to the arid West.

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    Great American Desert

    The Great American Desert, a vast expanse of land east of the Rocky Mountains, was once thought to be uninhabitable due to its arid conditions, but now supports a diverse range of ecosystems.

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    Rising Costs for Farmers

    Farmers faced rising costs for resources like machinery, transportation, and storage, while their income from crops declined, creating a financial hardship.

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    Great Plains

    A vast expanse of grassland stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains was historically home to indigenous tribes and played a crucial role in Western settlement and agriculture.

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    Tariffs and Farmers

    Tariffs designed to protect American industries were seen as unfair by farmers, as they had to pay higher prices for manufactured goods while their own crops faced competition from foreign markets.

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    New South

    The term "New South" describes a vision of a transformed South after the Civil War, emphasizing industrial development, economic diversification, and increased opportunities, although these changes were slow and incomplete.

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    Sharecropping

    A system of agriculture in which farmers rent land and share their harvest with the landowner, often leading to debt and poverty, sharecropping became prevalent in the South after the Civil War.

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    Dry Farming

    A system that allowed for the cultivation of crops in arid regions by conserving water and using drought-resistant plants, dry farming greatly expanded agriculture in the West.

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    Jim Crow Laws

    Jim Crow Laws were state and local laws enacted in the South after Reconstruction, enforcing segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans, creating a system of discrimination and oppression.

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    Study Notes

    The Last West and the New South (1865-1900)

    • American social development constantly restarts on the frontier
    • Expansion westward with new opportunities shaped American character
    • The true point of view in American history is the Great West, not the Atlantic coast.

    Post-Civil War Era

    • Most industrial development occurred in the Northeast and Midwest
    • The South and West supplied raw materials and consumed northern goods
    • Some in the South and West resented the apparent colonial status
    • Geography, people, and cultures shaped regional characteristics

    The West: Settlement of the Last Frontier

    • After the Civil War, many Americans settled the vast West (Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Western Plateau)
    • Before 1860, these lands were considered the "Great American Desert".
    • Few trees, usually less than 15 inches of rainfall yearly on the plains west of the 100th meridian
    • The open plains supported 15 million bison (buffalo)
    • Bison provided food, clothing, shelter, and tools to 250,000 American Indians in 1865

    Cattle Drives

    • The frontier largely vanished in 35 years
    • Buffalo herds wiped out
    • Western lands fenced by homesteads, ranches, crisscrossed by rails, and modernized
    • Ten new states carved out of the "last frontier" (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma still territories)
    • Buffalo extinction, environmental damage, and high costs for American Indians were consequences.

    The Mining Frontier

    • The 1848 California Gold Rush started a quest for gold and silver
    • Gold and silver strikes in Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, and South Dakota, led to large migrations
    • Early mining was placer mining (simple tools) transitioning to deep-shaft mining (capital intensive)
    • Boomtowns (salons, dance halls) emerged but became ghost towns
    • Some boomtowns developed into successful cities (e.g., San Francisco, Sacramento, Denver)
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 restricted Chinese immigration due to resentment
    • Mining fueled Western settlement and redefined American economics and politics.

    The Farming Frontier

    • Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres of free public land
    • 500,000 families used Homestead Act but many bought land.
    • Challenges of the plains included harsh weather, lack of water/wood, and grasshopper infestations.
    • Barbed wire, windmills, and hardy strains of Russian wheat improved farming resilience.
    • Irrigation and dams solved many water problems in the West.

    Closing of the Frontier

    • Oklahoma Territory opened in 1889
    • 1890 census declared most of the frontier settled.

    American Indians in the West

    • Diverse cultural groups with varied lifestyles
    • Plains tribes were nomadic
    • Conflicts with settlers rose over land
    • Federal policies of pushing Natives onto reservations
    • Federal policies led to massacres and conflicts, such as the Sand Creek Massacre (1864) and Wounded Knee Massacre (1890).

    Latino Southwest

    • Spanish-speaking landowners faced displacement or loss of land after the Mexican War (1848)
    • Hispanic culture persisted in certain regions
    • Migrated to work in mines or on crops, especially sugar beets, railroads

    Conservation Movement

    • Concerns over deforestation, and preservationist/conservationist movements sparked by preservationists like John Muir and the Sierra Club.
    • Forest Reserve Act of 1891, Forest Management Act of 1897
    • Preservation of natural areas like Yosemite and Yellowstone.

    The New South

    • Recovery from the Civil War
    • Increased industrialization and economic development with Henry Grady's speeches
    • Efforts to create economic diversity and industrial growth (i.e., textiles, steel)
    • Despite growth, the South remained largely agricultural and poorer than other areas.

    Economic Progress

    • Growth of cities and textiles
    • South's railroad network improved
    • Northern investors controlled southern economy and industrial growth.

    Poverty and Segregation

    • Many Southerners remained in traditional roles and poverty
    • Increased cotton production did not raise incomes due to lower prices and high debt
    • Southern farmers' organizations did not unite to address systemic poverty

    Segregation

    • Jim Crow Laws separated public facilities by race
    • Discrimination and disenfranchisement targeted African Americans
    • Some African Americans sought migration westward

    Farm Problems

    • Falling prices for crops (wheat, corn)
    • Increased debts and foreclosures, leading to losses
    • Rising costs of industrial goods and services
    • Farmers sought collective action through organizations like the Grange and Farmers' Alliances.

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    Description

    Explore the transformation of America from 1865 to 1900, focusing on the settlement of the West and the dynamics of the Post-Civil War era. This quiz delves into how geography, culture, and economic developments reshaped regional identities and the American character during this pivotal period.

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