Westward Expansion and Native Americans

Westward Expansion and Native Americans

What were the reasons for the increase in westward expansion after the Civil War?

1. Homestead Act

Homestead Act

• The United States government gave 160 acres of land to people who agreed to live on the land for five years and made improvements to the land.

• Free land

• Events called the Land Rush- set day and time for people to race to claim their land.

Open Ended

Why would giving land away increase the settlement of the West?

2. Transcontinental Railroad

The second reason for the increase in westward expansion.

Multiple Choice

What was the first reason for the increase in the westward expansion? We talked about it yesterday.

• American Indians

• Technological Inventions

• Homestead Act

Multiple Choice

What did the Homestead Act state?

• That 160 acres would be given to people who would live on the land for 5 years and make improvements.

• That 245 acres of land to African Americans to help them recover from years of slavery.

• Land that was given to American Indians through treaties.

Multiple Select

What is the Homestead Act?

• The U.S. government gave a new home to immigrants and African Americans after the Civil War.

• The people bought land in the west for a minimal cost.

• The US government gave 160 acres of land in exchange for living on the land for 5 years and making improvements to the land.

Multiple Choice

What is the Transcontinental Railroad?

• A railroad that was built across the Atlantic Ocean to connect the United States to Europe.

• A railroad that was built across the United States connecting the east coast to the west coast.

• A new train system that was faster and had refrigeration and sleeper cars that improved transportation in the United States.

Poll

Why would the Central Pacific lay less track than the Union Pacific?

• The Chinese workers were not as strong as the Irish workers on the Union Pacific.

• The Union Pacific has a earlier start than the Central Pacific

• The Central Pacific had to tunnel through the Nevada Serra Mountains while the Union Pacific was laying track across the Great Plains.

Poll

What do you think is the "golden spike?"

• The strongest metal to use so portions of the Transcontinental Railroad was built with golden spikes.

• The gift given to President Ulysses S Grant at the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

• The ceremonial spike used to connect the final tie on the Transcontinental Railroad.

Transcontinental Railroad

The building of the Transcontinental Railroad was a contest between two railroad companies.

Central Pacific

• Built from the west toward the east

• They began in Sacramento, California

• They mainly used Chinese immigrants

• While building tunnels they only moved 1 foot a day

Union Pacific Railroad

• Began in Omaha, Nebraska, and built toward the west

• Mainly used Irish immigrants to construct the railroad

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Promontory Summit, Utah

The two companies met to lay the last tie and hammer in the last spikes that completed or connected the Transconitinial Railroad.

Multiple Choice

Based on this song what do you think is the 3rd reason for the increase in westward expansion?

• To travel

• To make a fresh start

• To get rich by finding gold

• To get gold teeth, which was a highly desirable fashion statement

Multiple Select

Select all the reasons for the increase in westward expansion.

• Free Land

• Easier and faster means of transportation of people and goods

• To get rich by finding gold

• To find a good husband

• To find a good wife

Reasons for the increase in westward expansion after the Civil War.

3. The possibility of obtaining wealth by the discovery of gold and silver in the West.

Gold Rush 1849

• John Marshall discovered the gold while working on John Sutter's farm

• Gold Rush- people rushed to California to find gold

• 49ers - Term used to identify miners who went west for gold

Adventure

• Young men were often seeking fun, adventure and to experience new things

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