Westward Expansion Review

What is the name of the geographic feature to the west of the Great Plains which made travel to the Pacific Coast difficult?

• the Appalachian Mountains

• the Rocky Mountains

• the Mississippi River

• the Cascades

Which of these best describes the Great Plains?

• many lakes surrounded by mountain ranges

• rolling hills of rock and limestone

• thick forests with heavy rainfall

• flatlands that slowly rise from east to west

Settlers were able to claim up to 160 acres of public land in the Great Plains as a result of...

• ... the Dawes Act.

• ...the Louisiana Purchase.

• ...the Reconstruction era.

• ...the Homestead Act.

The Great Plains had many pioneer towns, some of which have grown into large, modern cities. What geographic feature of the Great Plains made large settlements possible?

• Thousands of large lakes cover the region.

• Canals were used to connect to the Great Lakes.

• High bluffs created lookouts for Native Americans.

• Many large rivers cross the Great Plains.

What was the result in the 1870s of the increased settlement of the Great Plains?

• Native Americans expanded their control over the lands.

• Buffalo herds were nearly wiped out by over-hunting.

• Better resources were found to build and construct shelter.

• Regular rainfall meant more people could farm the land.

How did the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad impact the United States?

• It increased the number of people traveling to the West.

• It decreased the support for industrialization.

• It weakened the economy of the United States.

• It decreased political support for westward expansion.

How did the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad impact many Native American tribes?

• It increased trade between Native American tribes.

• It created new states for Native American tribes.

• It increased the political power of Native American tribes.

• It destroyed natural resources used by Native American tribes.

Which of the following was invented by John Deere and increased productivity for farmers on the Great Plains?

• fertilizers

• the steel plow

• the combine harvester

• pesticides

New technology included the cheap, effective fencing that prevented cattle from roaming. This invention was...

• ...the steel fence.

• ...the wood fence.

• ...barbed wire.

• ...elastic rope.

How did the United States government react to an increase in Chinese immigrants during the 1800s?

• It created a military alliance with China.

• It banned Chinese immigrants from entering the country.

• It increased trade with Asia.

• It began teaching Asian languages in public schools.