American Society in Transition

Which of the following contributed most to increased settlement of the Great Plains?

• The availability of buffalo
• The discovery of precious metals
• A series of federal land grants
• A decrease in agricultural production

Invention of the steel plow, the passage of the Homestead Act, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad all contributed to the

• development of the Great Plains
• growth of the plantation system of agriculture
• extension of slavery into the western territories
• gold rushes in California and Nevada

Which was a successful example of "Americanization"?

• The Dawes Act led Native Americans to sell their lands.
• The Homestead Act made federal land available to settlers.
• Congress prohibited the immigration of Chinese workers.
• The children of Native Americans learn English in public schools.

After the Civil War, Native Americans were relocated to reservations primarily because

• the Federal Gov't wanted to preserve tribal cultures.
• the Native Americans had violated most of their treaties with the Fed Gov't.
• most of the tribal cheifs requested gov't protection from white settlers.
• settlers, ranchers, and prospectors wanted their tribal lands.

Which statement accurately describes the development of the Great Plains in the late 19th Century?

• Great profits were earned in the steel industry.
• Immigrants could not afford to farm these lands.
• Railroads decreased in importance.
• Technological innovations made farming there possible.

The passage of the Homestead Act and the completion of the transcontinental railroad helped to fulfill the United States commitment to

• Reconstruction
• racial equality
• manifest destiny
• conservation of natural resources

How did new technology help farmers on the Great Plains?

• It saved them time and energy.
• It eliminated insects and pests.
• It made crops drought-resistant.
• It lowered their debt.

Most immigrants processed at Angel Island were from

• Europe.
• Asia.
• South America.
• The Caribbean.

Which of the following inventions brought an end to the open range on the Great Plains?

• steel plow
• reaper
• windmill
• barbed wire

Which statement best describes the lifestyle of homesteaders?

• Homesteaders lived in isolation and avoided social contact.
• Most women worked outside of their homestead.
• Homesteaders lived simple and secure lives.
• Homesteaders often had to struggle even for the necessities.