Westward Expansion

Describe the area of the Great Plains

• Rolling hills and lush green land

• Flat, dry grasslands that rise gradually from east to west. Land eroded by wind and water, little rainfall

• Wet land surrounded by marshes

What were the reasons for Westward Expansion?

• Wanting land

• Looking to escape racism (Exodusters)

• Looking for adventure (life of a cowboy)

• The expansion of the railroads

• Finding gold and silver

What was the Homestead Act

• An act that focused on making Native Americans assimilate into white culture.

• It allowed the Transcontinental Railroad to be built.

• Passed in 1862 provided 160 acres of land if you lived on the land and farmed it for five years.

What were some challenges that Homesteaders faced?

• Dry land; little to no rainfall

• Little availability of wood

• Tough, hard soil which made farming difficult

• Too much water

Pick all the inventions created by Homesteaders

• Barbed wire

• iPhone

• Windmill

• Steel Plow

• Brooms

What adaptations did the Homesteaders use to survive out west?

• Created homes out of sod

• Learned a method of farming known as "Dry Farming."

• Planted crops that required frequent watering

• Planted a special type of wheat that required less water

What was the importance of the Battle of Little Bighorn?

• It was a big loss for Native Americans.

• It was considered a big win for Native Americans who defeated General Custer and his men.

What was the outcome of Wounded Knee?

• Geronimo, the Apache Leader, fled to Mexico and fought U.S. troops.

• It was a massacre that ended the armed conflict between Native Americans and the United States. Hundreds of Native Americans were killed (mostly women and children) .

How were Native Americans Effected by Westward Expansion?

• Native Americans profited greatly from Westward Expansion.

• Native Americans assimilated to "white culture." Overall Westward Expansion had a very positive impact on the Native Americans.

• Native Americans lost most of their land; and their lifestyles dramatically changed. The buffalo population went down~ had a very negative impact on their lives.

A town undergoing rapid growth due to sudden prosperity.

• Assimilation

• Ghost Town

• Boomtown