Western_Expansion_1862-1898

studied byStudied by 0 people
0.0(0)
learn
LearnA personalized and smart learning plan
exam
Practice TestTake a test on your terms and definitions
spaced repetition
Spaced RepetitionScientifically backed study method
heart puzzle
Matching GameHow quick can you match all your cards?
flashcards
FlashcardsStudy terms and definitions

1 / 27

encourage image

There's no tags or description

Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.

28 Terms

1

Westward Expansion

The movement of settlers and immigrants from the eastern United States to the west, significantly changing the demographic and social landscape of the nation.

New cards
2

Gold Rush

A period characterized by a rush of settlers to areas where gold was discovered, notably in California and Colorado.

New cards
3

Boomtowns

Towns that suddenly grow in population and economic activity due to the discovery of valuable resources, such as gold or silver.

New cards
4

Ghost Towns

Abandoned towns that once thrived during boom periods but were deserted when resources were depleted.

New cards
5

Transcontinental Railroad

A railroad that connected the east and west coasts of the United States, facilitating transport and commerce.

New cards
6

Central Pacific Company

One of the two companies involved in constructing the Transcontinental Railroad, beginning in Sacramento, California.

New cards
7

Union Pacific Company

One of the two companies building the Transcontinental Railroad, starting from Omaha, Nebraska.

New cards
8

Cow Towns

Towns that developed at the end of cattle drives, often near railroads, serving as hubs for cowhands and cattle trading.

New cards
9

Vaqueros

Hispanic cowhands who introduced techniques such as riding, roping, and branding to the cattle industry.

New cards
10

Homestead Act of 1862

Legislation that encouraged settlement of the Great Plains by offering 160 acres of land to families willing to farm it for five years.

New cards
11

Sodbusters

Farmers who worked the tough soil of the Great Plains, often associated with changing farming methods.

New cards
12

Dry Farming

An agricultural technique that conserves moisture in soil by farming methods that trap limited moisture.

New cards
13

Indian Peace Commission

A U.S. government body established to create policies concerning the relocation of Native Americans to reservations.

New cards
14

Reservation

Designated areas where Native Americans were forced to live, often on land unsuitable for agriculture.

New cards
15

Little Bighorn

Site of a significant battle in 1876 between U.S. Army forces and Native American tribes, notably led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

New cards
16

Custer’s Last Stand

The battle where Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his men were defeated by Native American forces at Little Bighorn.

New cards
17

Sitting Bull

A prominent Sioux chief who played a significant role in resisting U.S. government policies and battles.

New cards
18

Ghost Dance

A spiritual movement among Native Americans that expressed hope for a return of their traditional ways and the disappearance of settlers.

New cards
19

Wounded Knee Massacre

The 1890 killing of hundreds of Sioux by U.S. troops, marking a tragic end to the Indian Wars.

New cards
20

Assimilation

The process of blending Native Americans into European-American society, often through forced cultural practices.

New cards
21

Dawes Act

An act aimed at assimilating Native Americans by allotting individual plots of land to them instead of communal tribal land.

New cards
22

Buffalo Soldiers

African American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars and later in the Spanish-American War.

New cards
23

Grasshopper Plague

A major agricultural disaster in the Great Plains caused by large swarms of grasshoppers that destroyed crops.

New cards
24

Cattle Drives

The process of moving large herds of cattle from grazing areas to railroads for transportation to markets.

New cards
25

Longhorn Cattle

A breed of cattle known for their long horns, often associated with ranching in Texas.

New cards
26

Barbed Wire

A type of fencing that revolutionized cattle ranching by keeping cattle in fields and away from crops.

New cards
27

Steel Plow

An improved farming tool invented by John Deere that allowed farmers to break tough sod more effectively.

New cards
28

Ghost Dance Movement

A religious movement that sought to restore Native American culture and way of life, leading to tensions with the U.S. government.

New cards
robot