Westward Expansion Policies Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Identify two reasons why Americans moved out west:

MANIFEST DESTINY (correct)

DAWES ACT

HOMESTEAD ACT

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH (correct)

What was the purpose of the Homestead Act?

Tried to attract potential settlers and farmers thinking about moving west. Offered 160 acres of land for little to no cost as long as the land was turned into a farm or something profitable.

Where did the Homestead Act apply?

Great Plains Region/Midwestern Region of US

When was the Homestead Act enacted?

1862 Signup and view all the answers

Who did the Dawes Act target?

Native Americans Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Dawes Act?

Broke up NA Reservations and forced assimilation onto NA's. NA's would have to attend “White” style boarding schools. Had to change names, haircuts, style of clothing, customs, culture. Put on individual plots of land instead of shared reservation properties. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the Dawes Act apply?

Great Plains Region/Midwestern Region of US Signup and view all the answers

When was the Dawes Act enacted?

1887 Signup and view all the answers

What does 'manifest destiny' mean?

Idea - God given right to move west...think 'American Progress' painting with the angel Signup and view all the answers

What is assimilation?

The process in which a minority group or culture comes to resemble a society's majority group or assume the values, behaviors, and beliefs of another group whether fully or partially. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Union Pacific?

RR company - meets the Central Pacific in Promontory Point, Utah in 1869 (half of the Transcontinental RR) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Central Pacific?

RR company - meets the Union Pacific in Promontory Point, Utah in 1869 (half of the Transcontinental RR) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Great Plains?

Flatland in the middle region of the US, between Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains Signup and view all the answers

What was the Transcontinental Railroad?

Connected the East and West Coast - very significant in the expansion of the West - completed in Promontory Point, Utah 1869 - built predominantly by Chinese immigrants Signup and view all the answers

What is the Granger Movement?

When farmers created their own political party (Populist Party) so they could have representation in Washington DC...needed to address problems like high interest rates on bank loans and expensive shipping costs on RR's Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Westward Expansion - Key Policies

California Gold Rush: One reason Americans moved west.
Manifest Destiny: Belief that the US was destined to expand westward. This was a driving force for westward movement.
Homestead Act (1862): Offered 160 acres of land for little to no cost to settlers who farmed the land. Purpose was to encourage settlement in the west.
Dawes Act (1887): Targeted Native Americans, breaking up reservations and forcing assimilation. Native Americans were forced to attend schools, change their names, hairstyles, clothing, customs, and to live on individual plots of land instead of shared reservations. The goal was to integrate them into American society.

Key Details of Westward Expansion Policies

Homestead Act: Purpose was to attract settlers and farmers to the Great Plains and Midwest regions, to expand the country. It aimed to make the West more developed.
Dawes Act: Aim was to assimilate Native Americans, removing tribal connections and promoting individual ownership of land. This was part of a larger plan for integrating Native Americans into mainstream American society.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on key policies that shaped westward expansion in America. This quiz covers critical laws such as the Homestead Act and the Dawes Act, along with concepts like Manifest Destiny and the California Gold Rush. Understand the motivations behind American migration and its impact on Native Americans.