American Westward Expansion flashcards

A law that provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, given they improve the land by building a dwelling and cultivating crops.

Settlers had to be at least 21 years old, head of a household, and improve the land by building a home and farming for five years.

Settlers faced harsh weather, isolation, and difficulty in farming the land.

A train route across the United States, completed in 1869, that connected the east and west coasts.

Workers faced difficult terrain, harsh weather, and conflicts with Native Americans.

It facilitated trade, travel, and the settlement of the west, boosting the economy.

A mail-order catalog that allowed people in rural areas to purchase a wide variety of goods.

Barbed wire was used to fence in land, which helped manage livestock and protect crops from wild animals.

The construction of railroads led to loss of land, disruption of traditional lifestyles, and increased conflicts for Native American tribes.

Settlers on the Great Plains built homes from sod due to the lack of trees, providing shelter in the harsh environment.