American West Stats and Fact Learning Sheet
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Why did Indians not accept the concept of land ownership? They came from land, they
returned to land, people belong to the land not other way around.
Name 5 uses of a buffalo for the Plains Indians. Dung, fuel – Tongue, hair brush – Hooves, glue
– fat, soap – bladder, food bags.
In what war did Jim Bridger act as scout? Red Cloud War 1865 vs Sioux and Cheyenne tribes.
Where and when did the Donner party get stuck? 1846 Sierra Nevada Mountains.
When did the Gold Rush begin and in what year saw most gold migrants? 1848, 1849 ‘49ers’
What was claim-jumping? Trying to claim a mine from somebody who already claimed it.
Who was Henry Plummer and where did he live? He was sheriff in Bannack Montana, he was
leader of a gang of road agents. He was hanged by vigilantes in 1864.
Name 3 consequences of the Gold Rush on the USA. Increased investment in west, boosted US
wealth that stimulated world trade, led to racial conflict.
Why did people resent the Mormons? They were wealthy, often acting as money lenders and
they practiced polygamy (more than one wife).
Why did the Mormons always obey the orders of Brigham Young without question? They
American West Stats and Fact Learning Sheet
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believed that God spoke through him so that what he said was God’s will.
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How many Mormons moved to the Great Salt Lake and when? 1500, 1847
Give 3 reasons for the survival and prosperity against the odds of Salt Lake City. They all
listened to Brigham Young without question, the carefully planned settlements, the Perpetual
Emigration Fund over 32,000 from England alone in 1851.
Why was the US government eager to settle the west? Fear that England, Mexico or France
might try to reclaim some of the land.
What were speculators and what did the US gov do to stop them? Bought Public Domain land for
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$1 an acre and sold it at a profit. The US gov passed the Homestead Act of 1862 making a ‘quarter-section’
of land free for 5 years, after which time and having proved they have lived there a family could pay $30.
Name 6 problems faced by homesteaders. Lack of wood, Dirt+disease, fencing, water, fire+grasshoppers.
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Name the act that enabled more homesteaders to make a living and the year. Timber and
Culture Act of 1873, gave them more land.
Name 6 benefits of the railroads. Jobs, demand for other industry e.g. steel+timber, gov could
control further west, goods brought to homesteaders, produce from homesteads+cattle
industry could be sold further away. More trade with Asia using growing western ports.
Name 3 ways in which railroads had an impact on the Plains Indians. Homesteads got
bigger+more established with fences stopping buffalo, they got more hostile, buffalo hunting
from trains became a sport.
When did the cattle industry begin to boom? 1865 after civil war ended.
How much would northern cities pay for a cow? How much more was this than south? $40
and 10x the amount paid in a southern city
How many cows passed through Abilene between 1867-81? 1.5million from 1867-81.
How many buffalo were left by 1885? 200
What happened to Cherokee territory in 1889? Oklahoma Land Race
What geographical feature helped to cause the Great Sioux Wars? Black Hills of Dakota
Name a place that 2 important Indian treaties were signed. Fort Laramie
Why did Indians not accept the concept of land ownership? They came from land, they
returned to land, people belong to the land not other way around.
Name 5 uses of a buffalo for the Plains Indians. Dung, fuel – Tongue, hair brush – Hooves, glue
– fat, soap – bladder, food bags.
In what war did Jim Bridger act as scout? Red Cloud War 1865 vs Sioux and Cheyenne tribes.
Where and when did the Donner party get stuck? 1846 Sierra Nevada Mountains.
When did the Gold Rush begin and in what year saw most gold migrants? 1848, 1849 ‘49ers’
What was claim-jumping? Trying to claim a mine from somebody who already claimed it.
Who was Henry Plummer and where did he live? He was sheriff in Bannack Montana, he was
leader of a gang of road agents. He was hanged by vigilantes in 1864.
Name 3 consequences of the Gold Rush on the USA. Increased investment in west, boosted US
wealth that stimulated world trade, led to racial conflict.
Why did people resent the Mormons? They were wealthy, often acting as money lenders and
they practiced polygamy (more than one wife).
Why did the Mormons always obey the orders of Brigham Young without question? They
believed that God spoke through him so that what he said was God’s will.
11)
12)
14)
How many Mormons moved to the Great Salt Lake and when? 1500, 1847
Give 3 reasons for the survival and prosperity against the odds of Salt Lake City. They all
listened to Brigham Young without question, the carefully planned settlements, the Perpetual
Emigration Fund over 32,000 from England alone in 1851.
Why was the US government eager to settle the west? Fear that England, Mexico or France
might try to reclaim some of the land.
What were speculators and what did the US gov do to stop them? Bought Public Domain land for
15)
$1 an acre and sold it at a profit. The US gov passed the Homestead Act of 1862 making a ‘quarter-section’
of land free for 5 years, after which time and having proved they have lived there a family could pay $30.
Name 6 problems faced by homesteaders. Lack of wood, Dirt+disease, fencing, water, fire+grasshoppers.
13)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
21)
22)
23)
24)
25)
Name the act that enabled more homesteaders to make a living and the year. Timber and
Culture Act of 1873, gave them more land.
Name 6 benefits of the railroads. Jobs, demand for other industry e.g. steel+timber, gov could
control further west, goods brought to homesteaders, produce from homesteads+cattle
industry could be sold further away. More trade with Asia using growing western ports.
Name 3 ways in which railroads had an impact on the Plains Indians. Homesteads got
bigger+more established with fences stopping buffalo, they got more hostile, buffalo hunting
from trains became a sport.
When did the cattle industry begin to boom? 1865 after civil war ended.
How much would northern cities pay for a cow? How much more was this than south? $40
and 10x the amount paid in a southern city
How many cows passed through Abilene between 1867-81? 1.5million from 1867-81.
How many buffalo were left by 1885? 200
What happened to Cherokee territory in 1889? Oklahoma Land Race
What geographical feature helped to cause the Great Sioux Wars? Black Hills of Dakota
Name a place that 2 important Indian treaties were signed. Fort Laramie