U.S. Policies and Western Expansion

What characteristics of American culture did Frederick Jackson Turner argue were shaped by the Western frontier?

• Collectivism, political monarchy, and agricultural dependence

• Individualism, political democracy, and economic mobility

• Socialism, direct democracy, and industrial growth

• Communal living, tribal governance, and subsistence farming

Which statement accurately describes the reality of Western settlement, contrasting with popular myths?

• Most settlers were rugged individuals seeking fortune in untamed territories.

• The West was largely unoccupied, allowing for easy expansion.

• Settlers often moved as families or immigrant groups into territories already inhabited by American Indians.

• Only Easterners and European migrants settled the Western lands.

How did railroads contribute to the settlement and development of the American West?

• They primarily served as military transport for conflicts with Native Americans.

• They made it possible to transport crops and goods to market, and brought essential supplies to settlers.

• They were built exclusively by private companies without government involvement.

• They discouraged further migration by making the journey too expensive.

What was a significant aspect of the U.S. government's policy towards Native Americans during the period of Western expansion?

• Encouraging Native American tribes to maintain their traditional communal land ownership.

• Supporting Native American spiritual movements like the Ghost Dance.

• Ending the treaty system and allotting tribal lands to individual families, often leading to land loss.

• Providing extensive financial aid to Native American communities for economic development.

What was the main goal of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' policy regarding Native American children in boarding schools?

• To preserve Native American languages and traditions.

• To provide advanced education in tribal customs.

• To assimilate Native American children into American culture.

• To allow children to maintain close family ties while learning.

How did the development of railroads impact the cattle industry in the American West?

• It made cattle drives unnecessary, as cattle could be raised directly at railheads.

• It allowed for the efficient transportation of cattle to eastern markets, ending long drives.

• It led to a decrease in the demand for beef due to increased supply.

• It encouraged cowboys to drive cattle in endless circles for exercise.

What was a significant change in Western farming practices by the late 19th century?

• Most farms remained small, family-owned, and focused on subsistence.

• Farms increasingly relied on massive irrigation projects and produced for national and international markets.

• Women's roles on farms became less demanding due to new technologies.

• Farmers primarily grew diverse crops to avoid competition.

Which statement best describes the reality of the "Wild West" in the late 19th century, contrasting with popular myths?

• It was primarily a land of rugged individual cowboys and small family farms.

• It was largely untouched by industrialization and modern economic systems.

• It was characterized by large-scale agribusiness, corporate ownership, and migrant labor.

• The Oregon Trail and the Wild West were part of the same historical period and experience.