Westward Expansion Quiz

Which of the following best describes the concept of Manifest Destiny depicted in the image?

• The belief in expanding eastward

• The idea of maintaining current borders

• The belief in westward expansion

• The concept of isolationism

How did the railroads impact the Indian way of life?

• They provided new trade opportunities

• They brought buffalo hunters who depleted the buffalo population

• They introduced new agricultural methods

• They offered new routes for migration

What was the main requirement for settlers to receive land under the Homestead Act of 1862?

• Pay a large sum of money upfront

• Live on the land, grow crops, and make improvements for 5 years

• Be a native-born American citizen

• Serve in the military for 5 years

How did the Homestead Act of 1862 impact the development of Western lands?

• It slowed down development due to strict regulations

• It led to increased development of Western lands

• It had no significant impact on development

• It restricted development to only wealthy individuals

Approximately how many European immigrants established homesteads under the Homestead Act?

• 500,000

• 1.4 million

• 2 million

• 3.5 million

What role did the transcontinental railroad play in the closing of the American frontier?

• It isolated the western territories

• It facilitated faster settlement and development

• It prevented migration to the west

• It was primarily used for military purposes

Why were longhorn cattle driven north to Kansas?

• To find better grazing land

• To be shipped by train to slaughterhouses

• To participate in cattle shows

• To escape predators

What event marked the end of the cattle drive days?

• Introduction of new cattle laws

• Severe winters of 1886 & 1887

• Invention of refrigerated transport

• Rise in cattle theft

What enabled farmers to settle the Great Plains?

• The discovery of gold

• The growth of railroads and the Homestead Act

• The invention of the tractor

• The end of the Civil War

Which of the following was NOT an obstacle faced by farmers on the Great Plains?

• Indian attacks

• Cattlemen and the Open Range

• Abundant rainfall

• Insect plagues