United States History Chapter 13 Higher Order Thinking Skills Homework

1. Contrast the cultures of Native Americans and white settlers and explain why white settlers moved west. What were the characteristics of the Plains Indians’ Culture? A Nomadic Lifestyle, nearly completely dependent on the Buffalo. How did the culture of white settlers differ from that of the Plains Indians? White settlers came as farmers, miners, and businessmen. They believed that the Native Americans had forfeited their right to the land by not “settling” on it, therefore the land was open to white settlement. Why did settlers continue to push westward? Discovery of Gold in the Black Hills of Colorado and the discovery of Silver in Minnesota brought tens of thousands looking to “strike it rich”.

2. Identify restrictions imposed by the government on Native Americans and describe their consequences How did the government attempt to deal with the growing conflict between Native Americans and white settlers? The government restricted the reservation lands by setting boundaries for each tribe. The Native Americans ignored these boundaries, which led to violent confrontations with white settlers. Why did the Black Hills become a contested territory between Native Americans and whites? Gold had been discovered in sacred Native lands, a confrontation was inevitable. What were the consequences of the defeat of General Custer’s forces? An escalation (increase) in the U.S. Military presence on the Great Plains and the violent destruction of Native American resistance to the westward expansion of the United States.

3. Identify the government’s policy of assimilation as well as continuing conflicts between Native Americans and settlers What was the Dawes Act and what goal did it seek to achieve? The Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 broke up the Reservation System, Abolished the Tribal System, and aimed to “Americanize” the Natives. Why was the destruction of the Buffalo so detrimental to the Native American way of life? The Plains Indian depended on it, the destruction of the Buffalo meant the destruction of their way of life (which the government knew when they authorized hunters to wipe out the Buffalo population to near extinction). What were the causes and consequences of the Battle of Wounded Knee? The resumption of banned dancing rituals led to a raid by the U.S. Military. The ensuing conflict resulted in the deaths of many elderly, women, and children. This confrontation ended Native American resistance on the Great Plains.

4. Trace the development of the cattle industry What influence did Spanish Ranchers have on the American Cowboy? Mexican Vaqueros taught the American settlers how to round up, rope, brand, and care for the animals. How did the growth of railroads and cities impact the cattle business? It increased demand for beef by providing a means to get the cattle to meat packing plants in Minnesota and Illinois. Where did the Chisholm Trail run? It ran from San Antonio, Texas through Oklahoma to Abilene, Kansas.

What factors helped bring an end to the open range? 5. Describe both the myth and the reality of the American cowboy and explain the end of the open range. How did the ordinary cowboy’s life differ from the popular conception of it? Some Cowboys were African American and Mexican, they were not prone to fighting “villains”, and they worked much harder than they played. What was the Long Drive? The overland transport of the cattle from the ranch to the railroad, typically lasted around three months. What factors helped bring an end to the open range? Shift to smaller herds by ranchers, implementation of an enclosure movement spurned by the invention of barbed wire by Joseph Glidden, and the invention of the Refrigerated boxcar.

6. Explain the rapid settlement of the Great Plains due to homesteading How did the Transcontinental Railroad open up the West for settlement? It provided a cheaper, faster means for people to reach the west. Now people with less income seeking a new start on life could pick up and move west. How did the Federal Government encourage western settlement? The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 150 acres of land free to any citizen, or intended citizen, who would live on the land and develop it. What steps did the government take to preserve the nation’s dwindling open land space? The government created Yellowstone National Park and forced the Railroad Companies to give up their claims to massive pieces of land in the Great Plains.

What forms of shelter did the Plains settlers develop? 7. Describe how early settlers survived on the plains and transformed them into profitable farm land. What forms of shelter did the Plains settlers develop? Sod Houses and Dugouts (no trees, made log cabins impossible) What technology did settlers rely on to help them tame the prairie? John Deere’s Steel Plow Cyrus McCormick’s mechanical reaper The spring-toothed harrow, grain drill, barbed wire, and the corn binder were others. What hardships did farmers face in the late 1800’s? Rising overhead costs (cost of machinery, cost of freight rates from Railroads, etc.) Decreasing prices resulting from overproduction Increased debt and foreclosures

8. Identify the problems farmers faced and their cooperative efforts to solve them. What economic problems did many farmers face during the late 1800’s? Banks were foreclosing on an increasing number of farm mortgages because the farmer was making enough profit to pay his loans. The Railroads were abusing farmers by charging excessive freight rates knowing the farmer had nowhere else to go. Why did farmers favor “cheap money”? A devalued money supply would increase prices of farm goods and provide the farmer with more money to pay back loans. How did farmers try to address their problems and grievances? By forming political organizations such as the Grange Movement that would pass laws at the local and state levels regulating the Railroads (The Granger Laws)

9. Explain the rise and fall of the Populist Party What reforms did the Populist Party promote? Increasing the money supply (printing paper money and free and unlimited coining of silver) Direct Election of United States Senators and a Secret ballot election A Graduated Income Tax and a Federal Loan Program Eight hour workday and restrictions on immigration What were the causes and consequences of the Panic of 1893? Railroads went bankrupt, Government’s gold supply ran thin purchasing silver, people began trading paper money for gold, and the stock market crashed. 1/5th of the workforce was unemployed Why did the Populist Movement collapse? Economic concerns trumped concerns about reform However the Populist movement showed that the downtrodden could organize and have a political impact. Populism also developed several new political ideas that would become law during the Progressive Movement of the early 1900’s.