Exploring the California Gold Rush and Westward Expansion

The video explores the California Gold Rush of 1848 and the Nevada Silver Rush of 1859, highlighting their impact on migration and economic growth in the American West. It discusses the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and its effects on Native American life. The Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged settlement, leading to conflicts with Native Americans. The video also covers the cultural changes among Plains Indians, the Ghost Dance movement, and the Plains Wars, culminating in the Wounded Knee Massacre.

What event marked the beginning of the California Gold Rush?

• Signing of the Homestead Act

• Discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill

• Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

• Formation of the Colorado Territory

Who partnered with William Fargo to set up banking services in San Francisco?

• Henry Comstock

• John Sutter

• Levi Strauss

• Henry Wells

What was the peak output value of the Comstock Lode?

• $40 million

• $25 million

• $36 million

• $50 million

Where did the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads meet?

• Omaha, Nebraska

• Sacramento, California

• San Francisco, California

• Promontory Point, Utah

How long did it take to travel from east to west after the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad?

• Three weeks

• Six months

• Two weeks

• One month

What did the Homestead Act of 1862 offer to settlers?

• 160-acre land grants

• Gold mining rights

• Free transportation

• Banking services

What was a significant consequence of the Homestead Act?

• Formation of the Colorado Territory

• Discovery of the Comstock Lode

• Increased conflicts with Native Americans

• Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

What animal was central to the lifestyle of the Plains Indians?

• Elk

• Deer

• Horse

• Bison

What was the Ghost Dance?

• A religious ceremony

• A type of hunting technique

• A form of trade

• A military strategy

What event marked the end of the Plains Wars?

• Battle of Little Bighorn

• Formation of the Colorado Territory

• Wounded Knee Massacre

• Sand Creek Massacre