American West Assessment Flashcards
What is Manifest Destiny?
The belief that it was God’s will that the United States should expand it’s territory. It promoted the idea that white people should civilise across the continent to California and Oregon
How did Indians use the buffalo?
They used hides to make tepees, harnesses, bags, moccasins and clothes.
They used hair to make strings and pillows
They used dung for fuel
They used bones for knives and sledge runners.
They used dried buffalo meat for food in Winter.
Why did the Americans move west? (Oregon Trail 1820s-1830s)
The Oregon trail made it possible to cross the plains and Rocky mountains by wagon.
They used this trail to settle on fertile farmland in Oregon and California
What did the 1830 Indian Removal Act do?
It created a boundary between the White Americans and the Indians
It forced the Indians to be removed from the South East and moved them to the Permanent Indian Frontier
This movement was called the trail of tears because hundreds died.
Why did Americans move West (1837- Economic depression)
The Mormons caused banks to collapse which caused savings to be lost. They set up banks in Kirtland, Ohio which were for non-mormons and mormons
Businesses struggled, wages were cut and jobs were lost.
High unemployment
Drove people to seek a new life
Why did Americans move west (1842- Pre-emption act)
The government encouraged movement to the West by allowing settlers to stake a claim of 160 acres. After living on it for 14 months, they could buy it for only $1.25 an acre.
This cheap land was a great incentive and allowed people to begin their new life easily and start farming on fertile land immediately.
Why did Americans move West (1846/7- Mormons)
They wanted their own territory in the West away from hostility in the East
Their ideas of polygamy and friendliness to Indians made them unpopular which forced them to move
Also, in 1844, Joseph Smith announced he was running for president which was thought to be ridiculous and he was killed.
Brigham Young led their move to the Great Salt Lake City in Utah
Why did Americans move West (1849- Gold Rush)?
In 1848, gold was discovered in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada by James Marshall.
This lead people to move west to make their fortune.
News spread and by 1849, Miners were arriving from the US and beyond.
Population rocketed from 15,000 in 1848 to 250,000 by 1852.
People wanted to become wealthy and respected.
What was the Appropiations Act in 1951?
It forced Indians into reservations and forced them to learn their way of life
They put children in US government schools and made them learn Christianity and Farming.
Why were the Buffalo important to the Indians lifestyle
They lead a nomadic lifestyle which meant they always followed their food
Completely depended on it
Key to wealth, status and respect for tribes
They believed it was respectful to use every part after killing it
The Indians could grow in population as it provided everything they needed to survive
Why was Manifest Destiny important for migration West?
They had a passion to civilise beyond the 13 states
It was essentially and excuse to remove Indians and kill them to make room to expand their territory
They had a war with mexico to go beyond the 13 states
Why was the removal act important for the position of Indians in America?
They had no say- they were unsuccessful in resisting to move
