The West

Question 1

Why did Early migrants move West?

Answer 1

1. Economic problems (The recession in 1837 caused low wages and high unemployment rates in the East.
2. Disease in the East.
3. Manifest Destiny - God-given right to occupy and govern North America.
4. A new start - Land was fertile and cheap.
5. Gold was discovered in 1848 in California.
6. Overcrowding - due to European immigration which led to fewer jobs.

Question 2

Events that lead to the Mormons going west.

Answer 2

• Persecuted for their beliefs; believed in polygamy, disagreed with slavery and people were fearful of the expansion of the faith and were threatened by the Mormans’ political and economic power.

Question 3

The lifestyle of Lakota Sioux (Plain Indians)

Answer 3

• Nomadic
• Buffalo
• Living in the Tipis allowed them to follow buffalo herds quickly.
• Believed in Polytheism (Wakan Takan was the most powerful god)
• They didn’t see land as something that could be bought and sold. (It belonged to everybody)
• Male-dominated warrior society. (Women did most of the work like keeping of the homes and preparing food. men fought and hunted.)
• Believed in polygamy.

Question 4

California Gold Rush Negatives

Answer 4

Growth in Racism as White Americans considered themselves superior to foreign miners and more entitled to Gold.
- Living/ Working conditions were poor; little hygiene, and poor nutrition.
- No law - lead to vigilantism where people took the law into their own hands
- Only a lucky few found Gold
- Native American population dropped from 150.000 to less than 30,000 due to violent attacks. epidemics and being driven off of their land
- Diseases such as cholera
– Mining harmed California’s environment as chemicals such as mercury caused pollution and high-powered water jets caused flooding and clogged rivers with gravel and rocks.

Question 5

California Gold Rush Positives

Answer 5

• Growth in cities such as San Fran (which became the economic centre of Cali)
• Sam Brannan made 36,000 dollars in nine weeks selling 20-cent mining equipment such as metal pans, pickaxes and shovels.
• Accelerated the economic growth of the US - wealth generated gave America a role in world trade.
  -Settlement in California led to improved mail services and a transcontinental railroad.

Question 6

What did the Lakota Sioux (Plain Indians) use the buffalo for

Answer 6

• the meat was used for food
• bones were used for weapons and tools (arrowheads and knives)
• Hide/Skin (were used for clothes and tipi covers)
• dung was used as fuel for fires, fertilizers for crops, and helped insulate their homes.