American West Flashcards
What was set up in 1824?
Bureau of Indian Affairs set up and 1st trail through Rocky Mountains discovered
When was the Indian Removal Act?
1830
What was the Indian Removal Act?
Us government forced 46,000 Indians from eastern states to relocate to the Great Plains
(an area not wanted by whites)
When was the Indian Trade and Intercourse act?
1834
What was the Indian Trade and Intercourse act?
Sets out Permanent Indian Frontier dividing Indian territory from the Eastern states
When was Oregon bought by the USA?
1846
Who did the USA buy Oregon from?
Britain
When was the Donner Party?
1846
What was the Donner Party?
A failed attempt of 300 people to migrate to California
Resulted in cannibalism and eventual rescue in 1847
When was the Mormon Migration?
1846-47
What was the Mormon Migration?
Mormons migrating westward to find their homeland
They settled in Salt Lake City, Utah
When did America win the war against Mexico?
1848
What did America gain from the war against Mexico?
New territories to the south and west of Indian territory
When did the Gold Rush start?
1849
What was the Gold Rush?
Mass migration to the west due to the discovery of gold in California
When was the Indian Appropriation act?
1851
What was the Indian Appropriation act?
Government created reservations so whites could take Indian land.
Indians paid to move to smaller land on reservations where they could be ”civilised”
When was the Fort Laramie treaty?
1851
What was the Fort Laramie treaty?
Agreement between Indians and government. Indians would not attack settlers using the Oregon trail in exchange for large areas of land being given to the Indians for “all time”
What is a Band?
A group of people, mostly families, who formed part of a larger tribe
Eg. Ogala Sioux
What is a Buffalo?
Plains animal
Central to Indian life
What is a Chief?
Leader of band/tribe
Not elected
Become due to wisdom, healing power or skills as a warrior
What Counting Coup?
Touching an enemy in battle and escaping unhurt
What is Manifest Destiny?
The idea that is was Gods will that white Americans should settle over all of America
What are Miners Court?
Miners set up their own courts to settle disputes over claims
What is nomadic?
People who o not live in one place
What was a Pioneer?
The first explorers
What is Polygamy?
Having more than one wife
What is a Prospector?
People who look for the gold mines
What was a sheriff?
An individual responsible for keeping law
What were the Sioux?
Biggest tribe in the Plains
Made up of smaller tribes and bands
Eg. Ogala, Hunkpapa And Dakota
What was a Tribal Council?
A group of elders/chiefs who made decisions for the tribe or bands
What was the Oregon trail?
A 3000 km long trail from Missouri to California crossing the Great Plains
What was Tipi?
Home of the Plains Indians made out of buffalo hide and wood
Could be packed up quickly
What is scalping?
Taking the scalp of someone you’ve beaten in battle as a prize and to stop them coming back in the afterlife
What were vigilantes?
Ordinary citizens punishing suspected lawbreakers themselves instead of using the official system
What is a Warrior society?
Group of warriors from a band who hunted and protected the band
