The Impact of Western Expansion on American Society

The video explores the rapid expansion of the American frontier in the 19th century, highlighting the roles of miners and the Homestead Act in shaping the West. It discusses the challenges faced by settlers, including harsh conditions and isolation. The video also examines the impact of railroads and the end of the cowboy era, emphasizing the transformation of the American landscape and society.

What marked the end of the American frontier by 1890?

• The signing of the Homestead Act

• The completion of the transcontinental railroad

• The U.S. Census Bureau's announcement

• The discovery of gold in California

Which group was primarily responsible for opening the west?

• Ranchers

• Railroad workers

• Miners

• Farmers

What was a requirement to obtain land under the Homestead Act?

• Building a home and growing crops

• Paying a fee

• Joining a mining company

• Working for the railroad

What was the 'Long Drive' in the context of ranching?

• A cattle drive to markets

• A migration to the east

• A journey to find new land

• A search for gold

Who were the 'exodusters'?

• Miners moving to California

• African Americans fleeing the South

• Ranchers on the open range

• Railroad workers

What was a major challenge faced by homesteaders on the Great Plains?

• Lack of gold

• Frequent earthquakes

• Severe weather conditions

• Overpopulation

Why did many homesteaders abandon their land?

• Better opportunities in the east

• Harsh living conditions

• Inability to meet the requirements

• Lack of interest

What was a consequence of the Romantic Era on the perception of the west?

• It was seen as a land of opportunity

• It was viewed as a dangerous place

• It was considered a place of poverty

• It was ignored by most people

What invention contributed to the end of the open range?

• The steel plow

• The steam engine

• The telegraph

• Barbed wire

How did the railroad impact homesteaders?

• It increased isolation

• It made land more expensive

• It provided easier access to markets

• It reduced the need for farming