Lesson Flashcard: Western Agriculture

Front

Why were the vaqueros crucial to the expansion of the cattle industry in the West?

Back

They taught American cowhands about riding, roping, and branding.

Front

The cattle boom was finished by new settlement in the West and issues with _____.

Back

disease and the climate.

Front

The number of federal land grants that a state received under the Morrill Acts was based on the state’s ______.

Back

population.

Front

What made the Homestead Act less successful in establishing small farms than it could have been?

Back

Land for homesteaders was scarce.

Front

What made farming the western plains difficult?

Back

The soil did not provide enough nutrients for the crops and neighbors often lived several miles away from each other.

Front

They drove animals hundreds of miles north to railroad lines in Kansas and Missouri on trips called _______.

Back

cattle drives

Front

American cowhands learned much about riding, roping, and branding from Spanish and Mexican ______. They were skilled riders who herded cattle on ranches.

Back

vaqueros

Front

Cattle drives ended in ______ that had sprung up along the railroad lines. The Chisholm Trail ended in Abilene, Kansas

Back

cow towns

Front

____ gave public land to states to build colleges for teaching agricultural and mechanical skills.

Back

Morrill Acts

Front

_____ came later, in the form of steam tractors and harvesters. This machinery helped the agricultural industry become more efficient and productive.

Back

Mechanization