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Westward Expansion

Total questions: 16

Worksheet time: 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In 1803, President Jefferson bought a huge piece of land west of the Mississippi River from France. How much did the United States pay for it?

a)

One hundred dollars

b)

15 thousand dollars

c)

15 million dollars

d)

No money was exchanged

2.

The Homestead Act was when the United States gave away _________ to settlers.

a)

lumber to build houses

b)

plots of land

c)

seeds to grow crops

d)

wagons to travel out west

3.

Why did the United States need more land?

a)

To test new farming methods out west

b)

To gain control over the land to the west

c)

To force the French to leave North America

d)

To make room for their growing population

4.

Why was the Pony Express created?

a)

It was a quick way to get mail delivered to the people living in the West

b)

To find new routes for young men who were expert riders

c)

To map out the area for future development

d)

To provide new jobs for young men who were expert riders

5.

How did the invention of the steam locomotive change life for Americans living around the nation?

a)

It transported people and goods across the nation much quicker than ever before

b)

It paved ways for the development of the first cars

c)

It created jobs as workers were needed to lay tracks across the United States

d)

All of theses

6.

Lewis and Clark were the first to reach the ___________ by land.

a)

Atlantic Ocean

b)

Gulf of Mexico

c)

Hudson River

d)

Pacific Ocean

7.

The most popular route people travelled along to move west was ???

a)

The Trail of Tears

b)

The Oregon Trail

c)

The Mississippi Expedition

d)

The Rocky Mountain Trail

8.

What happened during the Gold Rush?

a)

People from all over the world moved to California

b)

Prospectors stayed in mining camps to explore an area and hunt for gold

c)

Thousands of people panned for gold hoping to become rich

d)

All of these

9.

During the Westward Expansion the United States more than double in size.

a)

True

b)

False

10.

Millions of people became rich during the Gold Rush in California.

a)

True

b)

False

11.

The Oregon Trail started in Independence, Missouri and continued for almost 2,000 miles before ending in Florida

a)

True

b)

False

12.

The Louisiana Purchase was when the United States bought a huge piece of land from France in 1803.

a)

True

b)

False

13.

In 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was finished. It made traveling out west much quicker than ever before.

a)

True

b)

False

14.

Match the following

a)

prospector

1.

Someone who explores an area looking for minerals like gold

b)

expansion

2.

To become larger or expand

c)

telegraph

3.

A device used in the 1900's to communicate to those who lived far away

d)

pioneer

4.

A person who is among the first to explore or settle in a new area

e)

expedition

5.

A journey or voyage taken by a group of people with a set goal or purpose in mind

15.

Use complete sentences to answer the following...

What dangers did the pioneers face when traveling out west?

4 lines
16.

Use complete sentences to answer the following...

How did Lewis and Clark Expedition encourage settlers to move out west?

4 lines