Chapter 11 Settling The West

What were boomtowns?

• Small towns that grew slowly over decades

• Towns that rapidly developed near mining sites

• Towns that were abandoned after gold was discovered elsewhere

• Large cities in the East where gold was shipped

How did vigilance committees contribute to boomtowns?

• They provided legal services

• They were groups of self-appointed citizens who maintained order

• They organized celebrations and social events

• They were businesses that sold mining equipment

Why did some Western territories achieve statehood earlier than others?

• They were more geographically isolated

• They had fewer natural resources

• They benefited from economic booms due to mining

• They had stronger political connections in the East

Which two states achieved statehood primarily due to mining booms?

• Nevada and California

• Texas and Arizona

• Montana and Wyoming

• Oregon and Idaho

What is placer mining?

• A method of extracting gold from deep underground mines

• A technique involving high-pressure water jets

• A type of hydraulic mining used in the mountain

• A simple method of searching for loose gold in riverbeds

The purpose of the riffles in a sluice box is to:

• Increase water flow

• Trap gold particles

• Filter out large rocks

• Enhance sedimentation

What was a significant consequence of hydraulic mining?

• It created new, sustainable farming methods

• It caused widespread environmental damage

• It improved water quality in rivers

• It led to the discovery of oil in the West

What was the Sawyer Decision of 1884?

• A law that promoted the growth of boomtowns

• A court ruling that banned hydraulic mining unless debris was contained

• A treaty with Native Americans over land rights

• An agreement between miners and ranchers over water usage

Why did the Great Plains attract ranchers after the Civil War?

• The region was rich in minerals and oil

• It was located far from any Native American tribes

• The climate was perfect for growing crops

• The land was ideal for raising cattle due to its open spaces and grasslands

What led to the decline of the cowboy era?

• The invention of the steam engine

• The expansion of railroads and the invention of barbed wire

• The discovery of gold in California

• The outbreak of the Civil War