wild west quiz

What drove American settlers to migrate westward after the Civil War?

Desire for land, economic opportunities, and the search for a better life.

What was the primary focus of early migrants who moved to the Great Plains?

Extracting resources like bison hides and searching for precious metals.

What were the main roles of women in mining towns during the 19th century?

Performing housework and managing service industries like shops, saloons, and boardinghouses.

How did mining operations affect women's employment in nearby towns?

Women found jobs in service industries as men left to pursue mining ventures.

What was the Dawes General Allotment Act of 1887?

Legislation that divided Native American reservations into individual plots for farming and ranching.

What was the significance of the Homestead Act of 1862?

It allowed settlers to claim federally owned lands in the West, promoting westward expansion.

Who was Brigham Young and what role did he play in westward migrations?

He was the leader of the Mormons who settled Utah and established agricultural communities.

What economic impact did the railroads have on western expansion?

They facilitated the movement of people and goods, transforming the economic landscape of the West.

What was the outcome of the sand Creek Massacre?

The killing of over two hundred Cheyenne at the hands of U.S. militia, leading to public outrage.

What did the Ghost Dance movement represent for Native American tribes?

A spiritual revival that aimed to restore traditional ways of life and resist American encroachment.

What were the Buffalo Soldiers and what role did they play?

African-American cavalrymen who served in the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars.

What did Frederick Jackson Turner's 'frontier thesis' suggest?

The American frontier was essential to the development of democracy and American character.

How did cattle drives impact the economy in the West?

They facilitated the shipping of cattle to markets, creating a booming meat-packing industry.

What caused the decline of the American bison in the 19th century?

Overhunting for hides and industrial uses led to a dramatic population drop.

Why did Native Americans resort to violence in response to U.S. policies?

To resist forced removal and protect their lands and ways of life from American expansion.

What was significant about the Battle of Little Bighorn?

It was a major victory for the Sioux against the U.S. Army, leading to increased military action against them.

What was the impact of railroads on ranching practices in the West?

Railroads connected ranchers to national markets, transforming cattle ranching into a profitable enterprise.

How did settlers justify the displacement of Native Americans?

They argued that Native Americans were inefficient land users and that land was needed for agricultural development.

What reforms were implemented as part of the Indian Peace Policy?

It aimed to reform U.S. policy towards Native Americans by promoting assimilation and reducing violence.

What was the Long Walk and its implications for the Navajo Nation?

A forced relocation of the Navajo to Bosque Redondo, resulting in suffering and high mortality rates.

What was the purpose of the Indian Peace Commission created in 1868?

To assess and improve U.S. relations with Native Americans and prevent further violence.

What were some gender roles imposed by Christian missionaries on Native Americans?

They encouraged Native American women to adopt Euro-American domestic roles instead of traditional labor.

How did Wild West shows influence American culture?

They romanticized and mythologized the West, creating lasting stereotypes of cowboys and Native Americans.

What was the main consequence of the Wounded Knee Massacre?

It marked the end of armed Native American resistance in the Plains.

What is the significance of the term 'Buffalo Bill' in American history?

He helped popularize the myth of the American West through his Wild West Shows.

How did land allotment under the Dawes Act affect Native American sovereignty?

It diminished their collective land rights and undermined tribal governance.

How did the influx of settlers influence Native American cultures?

It led to displacement, cultural erosion, and resistance efforts among tribes.

What role did Chicago play in the cattle industry?

It became a major hub for the meat-packing industry, processing cattle shipped by rail.