Chapter 5: Changes on the Western Frontier

Question 1

Custer’s Last Stand

Answer 1

• took place in early June, 1876 at Little Bighorn River
• battle between NA and Colonel Custer & troops because whites wanted land for gold/settlement
? NA won the battle but lost the war, marking the beginning of the end for NA

Question 2

Dawes Act

Answer 2

• act that was supposed to give conservation lands to NA, sell the remaining land to settlers, & give that money to NA so they could buy farming equipment
• by 1930’s, majority of land belonged to settlers and NA received no money
? was an attemp to Americanize the NA

Question 3

Battle of Wounded Knee

Answer 3

• NA vs. Custer’s old troops at Wounded Knee Creek in winter
• NA forced to give up weapons, an unknown shot was fired which started the battle
? marked the end of the NA era

Question 4

Railroads

Answer 4

• federal government made land grants to railroads so companies raced to lay down tracks
• companies sold land to farmers, farmers grew crops then used railroads to transport crops
? was key to settling west because it opened up more land

Question 5

Homestead Act

Answer 5

• act passed in 1862 that offered free land to citizens
• more than 1/2 million familes took advantage between 1860-1900
? increased settlement in West, causing frontier to be declared nonexistent

Question 6

Farmers’ Alliances

Answer 6

• Oliver Hudson Kelly started the Grange, which gave rise to many other farmers’ alliances
• made because of the unfair lives farmers had to live due to being in debt
? farmers wanted to organize & get together & it prompted the start of populism

Question 7

Populism

Answer 7

• derived from the farmers’ alliances and established in 1892
• demanded reforms that would financially help farmers & give a greater voice to the people in gov
? prompted big debate over currency

Question 8

Bimetallism

Answer 8

• a monetary system in which the gov would give gold & silver in exchange for paper currency/checks
• using both metals would make more money available causing inflation
? this campaign would decide the country’s currency, worth, & economy

Question 9

William McKinley

Answer 9

• was an experienced politician that supported the gold standard in the election of 1896
• had support from businesses, consumers because gold standard would create deflation, which would keep prices down for consumers
? was involved in the election that would decide the country’s currency & economic status

Question 10

William Jennings Bryan

Answer 10

• newcomer politican that suppported bimetallism in the election of 1896
• delivered “Cross of Gold” speech that defended farmers/laborers
? was involved in election that would decide country’s currency & economic status