Worksheets5.1 Westward Expansion and Immigration
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 9mins
Study the image below. As depicted in the painting, how did the physical landscape change as a result of the building of the Transcontinental Railroad?
People were able to transport raw materials to markets back East.
The land in the West continued to be developed into towns as more people moved there.
Native Americans welcomed new settlers to their regions.
The Transcontinental Railroad was not able to advance past the Rocky Mountains.
After analyzing the painting below and using your prior knowledge, what were the obstacles faced by the builders of the Transcontinental Railroad? Select all that apply.
mountain ranges and canyons
Native Americans and buffalo
lakes and rivers
flat and treeless land
Which group was most negatively affected by the building of the Transcontinental Railroad?
Native Americans
Mexican Americans
African Americans
White settlers
Which is the best description of how economic factors impacted westward expansion?
As the region became more and more populated, the way of life of the Native Americans changed.
People could use the land for its resources and make a living through ranching, mining, or farming.
New land policies such as the Homestead Act of 1861 allowed “squatters” to claim land and keep it.
Travelers to the West had to cross not only the plains, but also major rivers and the Rocky Mountains
Which of the following are reasons why immigrants came to the United States? Select all that apply.
famine in the United States
religious freedom in the United States
discrimination in the United States
personal freedoms in the United States
economic opportunities in the United States
“The next morning, the children were enrolled in the public school. The first great ambition of Jacob and Sarah Saranoff had been realized. Their children were in school.”
What does this excerpt show as a pull-factor for many immigrants coming to America?
Many immigrants came to America because they wanted jobs.
Many immigrants came to America because they wanted freedom of religion.
Many immigrants came to America because they wanted better opportunities for their children.
Many immigrants came to America because they wanted better living conditions.
Why did many Americans move westward during the 1800s? Select all that apply.
There was a need for slave labor.
They believed in Manifest Destiny.
They hoped to make fortunes from the gold mines.
There was a large amount of farmland available.
They were forced from their homes in the east
True or False: More than 12 million immigrants were processed through the Ellis Island Immigration Station.
True
False
Whose perspective during Westward Expansion does this statement represent?
“Our way of life has been forever changed. The buffalo, the basis of our lifestyle, have been decimated. The prairies where we resided have been torn up and lined with metal rail lines.”
Asian immigrants
European Americans
Homesteaders
Native Americans
Whose perspective during Westward Expansion does this statement represent?
“Moving to a new country for jobs on the railroad was not what we expected. We are doing dangerous work blasting tunnels for rails to be laid.”
Asian immigrants
European Americans
Homesteaders
Native Americans
Which 2 immigrant groups were the main contributors to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad?
Irish and German
German and Chinese
Irish and Chinese
German and British
Where were the majority of immigrants that landed on Ellis Island coming from?
Asia
Africa
Canada
Europe
Which of the following are reasons why immigrants left their home countries to come to the United States? Select all that apply.
famine in their home country
religious freedom in their home country
discrimination in their home country
war and rebellions in their home country
economic opportunities in their home countries
What was the major cause of the mass immigration from Ireland during the 1800’s?
gold rush
potato famine
religious freedom
to start their own businesses
Which of the following were questions immigrants were asked during their legal inspection at Ellis Island? Choose all that apply:
What is your occupation?
How much money do you have?
Have you finished school?
Why are you leaving your home country?
Are you married?
