Period: _____
Name: _______________________
Homework: Week 3 (September 8th - 12th)
Day
Main Idea(s)
Monday
What governmental
policies encouraged
and enabled American
settlers to move West?
What economic issues
contributed to
Americans’ westward
expansion?
Tuesday
How did Western
expansion affect Native
Americans?
What I Know
Push/Pull Factors
Manifest Destiny – Belief that many Americans had that
it was America’s destiny to spread from sea to sea.
Population Growth – As population increased, there
was a need for more resources and space– Americans
spread west to get out of overcrowded cities.
Transcontinental Railroad – The railroad’s completion
made transportation of goods and people between the
East and West easier.
Homestead Act – The Government offered 160 acres of
free land to any family that was willing to live on land in
the west and farm it for 5 years.
Gold Rush – Many people flocked to California in hopes
of striking it rich.
New Technology – Steel plow, barbed wire, etc. made
the settlement of the tough terrain possible.
Destruction of the Buffalo – Buffalo were the major
resource for plains Native Americans. Source of food,
clothing, shelter, tools. Their destruction destroyed a way
of life for Native Americans.
Assimilation – encouraging or forcing a minority group
to become like the majority – the U.S. government hoped
to assimilate Native Americans to make them like
“regular” Americans
Dawes Act – Aimed to assimilate Native Americans by
breaking up their lands and forcing them essentially to
farm on 160 acre plots of land
Reservation – Native Americans were forced off their
traditional homes on the great planes and were placed on
less desirable land called reservations.
Battle of Wounded Knee – A tragic massacre in 1890
which approximately 300 Native Americans were
slaughtered as soldiers were collecting their weapons.
This was the last conflict between Native Americans and
the U.S. Government
Assignment
In the space below, respond to the question:
Which of the push/pull factors had the biggest influence in
encouraging Americans to move west? Why do you say that?
During the western
expansion era, describe
what might have been done
to make this man
assimilate? What might
have happened if he
refused to do so?
Period: _____
Name: _______________________
Wednesday What were the positive Effects of the Railroad on various groups
and negative outcomes Small Western Farmers – Railroads were
notorious for overcharging farmers and pushing
that came from the
them off their land.
Railroad’s expansion
Railroad Workers – More railroads being built
westward
meant more work. However, the work was
dangerous and treatment of workers was very poor
Native Americans – The railroad is likely to bring
more white settlers, which means more negative
treatment.
Coal Miners/Mine Owners – Coal was the primary
fuel for railroads. More railroads = more money.
Western Town Merchants – The railroad brings
more people west, which means more business.
Thursday What led to the
Formation of the
Populist Party?
What Impact did the
Populist Party have on
American politics?
Key Terms Related to Populism
Grange – Organization for farmers that gave them a greater
voice in politics. Spent most of its time fighting Railroads.
Bimetallism – Currency of the nation would be backed by
Gold and Silver, would cause value of money to decrease. This
would cause existing debts to decrease as well.
Gold Standard – Currency is backed only by gold. This is
aimed to keep value of money high.
Populist Party – Political party created to give regular people,
like small farmers and workers greater power. It supported
Bimetallism and workers rights.
For each group mark a Y if they would approve of the
railroad, an N if they would not.
Native Americans:
__
Railroad Workers:
__
1.
Coal Miners:
__
Western Merchants:
__
Small Western Farmers: __
Imagine you are a farmer. Do you support the Gold
Standard or Bimetallism? Why?
2.
Imagine you are a bank owner Do you support the Gold
Standard or Bimetallism? Why?
3.
How can political parties give regular people power in
politics?