24 Westward Expansion

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on the Wild Wild West, focusing on historical events, figures, and the impact of governmental policies on Native Americans and settlers.

What did Frederick Jackson Turner argue about the significance of the Frontier in American history?

He argued that the West was responsible for key characteristics of American culture: beliefs in individualism, political democracy, and economic mobility.

How did most western settlers arrive in the West?

Most western settlers came not as individuals but as members of a family or as part of an immigrant group.

What federal policies affected Native Americans during westward expansion?

The federal government led military expeditions against American Indians, passed laws spurring homesteading, and funded railroads.

What role did railroads play in settling the West?

Railroads made it possible to transport goods and crops to markets, thus making life in the West profitable and livable.

What was the Dawes Act of 1887?

The Dawes Act allotted lands set aside for Native Americans to individual families rather than tribes.

What significant decline occurred in buffalo populations by the late 19th century?

The buffalo population declined from about 30 million in 1800 to nearly nonexistent by 1886.

What movement emerged among Native Americans around 1890 that sought to preserve their way of life?

The Ghost Dance movement, believing that dancing and spiritual rituals would restore their customs and wellbeing.

What was the Bureau of Indian Affairs' policy on Native American culture?

The Bureau of Indian Affairs instituted a policy of cultural genocide, including setting up boarding schools to 'civilize' Native American children.

What does the term 'agri-business' refer to in the context of late 19th century farming?

Agri-business refers to large-scale agricultural enterprises that look more like corporations than family farms.

How did the image of the cowboy differ from the reality of cowboy life?

The reality of cowboy life was heavily influenced by railroads and industrial meat processing, which created a market driven by profit.

What was the primary agricultural focus of western farms by the late 19th century?

Western farms increasingly produced crops for national and international markets rather than subsistence farming.

What major environmental concern was noted about the Oglala Aquifer by the early 20th century?

The Oglala Aquifer, which provided water for irrigation projects, was noted to be going dry.