#1
Which event prompted the beginning of significant westward expansion in the United States?
Louisiana Purchase
ExplanationThe acquisition of a vast territory from France doubled the size of the U.S., opening up opportunities for expansion.
#2
Which of the following was a significant economic incentive for westward expansion?
Availability of cheap land
ExplanationAffordable land attracted settlers seeking opportunities for agricultural and economic growth.
#3
What was the main purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862?
To provide free land to settlers who would develop it for a period of time
ExplanationThe act aimed to encourage settlement and development of the western frontier by offering land to homesteaders.
#4
Which Native American tribe fought against the United States in the Nez Perce War of 1877?
Nez Perce
ExplanationThe Nez Perce fiercely resisted forced relocation, leading to a conflict with the U.S. military.
#5
What was the primary reason behind the forced relocation of Native American tribes along the Trail of Tears?
To make room for white settlers and secure land for cotton cultivation
ExplanationNative Americans were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for white settlement and agricultural expansion.
#6
Which territory did the United States acquire through the Gadsden Purchase of 1853?
Arizona
ExplanationThe purchase secured a strip of land in present-day Arizona and New Mexico, facilitating the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad route.
#7
Who coined the term 'Manifest Destiny'?
John O'Sullivan
ExplanationJohn O'Sullivan popularized the belief that it was America's destiny to expand its territory across the continent.
#8
What was the significance of the Transcontinental Railroad in the 19th century?
It connected the East and West coasts of the United States, facilitating transportation and trade
ExplanationThe railroad revolutionized transportation, enabling faster movement of goods and people across the vast country.
#9
Who was the president during the time of the Mexican-American War?
James Polk
ExplanationJames Polk was the president who oversaw the controversial conflict resulting in significant territorial gains for the U.S.
#10
What was the significance of the California Gold Rush on the economy of the United States?
It stimulated the economy and encouraged westward migration
ExplanationThe discovery of gold in California sparked a massive influx of fortune seekers and contributed to economic growth.
#11
Who was the Native American leader who led the resistance against the United States during the Sioux Wars?
Sitting Bull
ExplanationSitting Bull was a prominent Sioux leader who fought to preserve Native American territory and culture.
#12
What was the purpose of the Dawes Act of 1887?
To assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society
ExplanationThe act aimed to break up tribal lands and encourage Native American assimilation into American society by promoting private land ownership.
#13
Which economic system was predominant in the western territories during the 19th century?
Capitalism
ExplanationCapitalism fueled economic activities such as mining, agriculture, and commerce in the expanding western territories.
#14
Who was responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal, a major waterway connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean?
DeWitt Clinton
ExplanationDeWitt Clinton championed the project, which revolutionized transportation and trade in the region.
#15
Which invention revolutionized agriculture in the Great Plains during the late 19th century?
Steel plow
ExplanationThe steel plow enabled efficient farming in the tough prairie soil, leading to increased agricultural productivity.
#16
Who were the 'Forty-Niners' in American history?
Gold prospectors who rushed to California in 1849
ExplanationThousands of fortune seekers, known as 'Forty-Niners,' flocked to California in search of gold during the Gold Rush.
#17
Who was the leader of the Mormon Church during the migration to Utah?
Brigham Young
ExplanationBrigham Young led the Mormon pioneers to settle in the Salt Lake Valley, establishing a religious community in Utah.