6 Questions
What was the purpose of the Homestead Act (1862)?
To encourage settlers to move West by granting them land
What belief motivated many settlers to move across North America?
Manifest Destiny
What made pioneer travel challenging?
Difficult conditions and heavy wagons pulled by oxen
Why were Native Americans forced out of their lands?
Due to the settlers' belief in Manifest Destiny
What program granted 160 acres of land to settlers who fulfilled certain requirements?
Homestead Act (1862)
What belief led to the expansion of settlers across North America?
Manifest Destiny
Study Notes
- In early 1700s, America consisted of a few colonies: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.
- Settlers traveled West due to low-cost land opportunities under the Homestead Act (1862).
- Homestead Act was a government program that granted 160 acres of land to settlers who paid a small filing fee, lived on the land for 5 years, and made improvements.
- Land was primarily in areas where crop growth was difficult.
- Many settlers believed in Manifest Destiny, the belief they were destined to expand across North America.
- Native Americans had lived in these lands for years, but were forced out due to the settlers' belief in Manifest Destiny.
- Pioneer travel was challenging: difficult conditions, heavy wagons pulled by oxen.
- Decisions on what to bring led to leaving behind items like dishes and wooden chests.
- For further learning, check out the "Interactive Social Studies Notebook: Westward Expansion and the Pioneers" by Literacy and Math Ideas.
Test your knowledge of the Westward Expansion and the experiences of pioneers in early America, including the Homestead Act, Manifest Destiny, challenges of pioneer travel, and the impact on Native Americans. This quiz covers historical events and the hardships faced by settlers as they moved westward.
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