Settling the West

Gold Rush

A large movement of people to California in 1849 after something valuable was discovered.

Homestead Act

A law that gave free land to settlers who farmed it

Boomtown

A fast-growing settlement because of its resources.

Push Factors

Problems that force people to leave their homes.

Pull Factors

Benefits that attract people to a new place.

Great Plains

Grassland between Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains.

Barbed wire

Fence with sharp point used to keep people and animals out.

Transcontinental Railroad

Transportation system that connected eastern and western United States, making travel and trade faster.

Reservation

Land set aside for Native American Tribes

Dawes Act

Act to white-wash Indians, sent Indian children to school to make them “American”.

Sioux Indians

A Native American tribe from Great Plain , split into 3 language divisions: Dakota, Lakota, Nakota.

Sitting Bull

A Sioux leader who resisted U.S. government control

Little Big Horn

A battle where Native Americans defeated U.S. forces. Crazy Horse killed Custer and all his men after Custer’s tactical mistake.

Crazy Horse

A Sioux warrior, Sitting Bull’s warrior who fought against U.S. expansion. Killed Custer and all is men.

Wounded Knee

A massacre that marked the end of Native American resistance. Last armed conflict.

Buffalo Soldiers

African American soldiers who served in the U.S Army. Protected whites from natives.

Indian Wars

Conflicts between Native Americans and the U.S. government.