West assignment 2

What does the picture on the right depict?

• Three Lakota boys in traditional clothing at home.

• Three Lakota boys before attending school.

• The same three Lakota boys after being at the federal boarding School.

Answer explanation

The picture depicts the same three Lakota boys after attending the federal boarding school, as indicated by their changed attire and demeanor, reflecting the impact of the school on their cultural identity.

What is assimilation and how is it represented in this set of pictures?

• Assimilation is the process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of another group, often leading to a loss of their original culture.
• Assimilation is the process of preserving one's original culture.
• Assimilation involves the rejection of all cultural norms.
• Assimilation is only applicable to language changes.

The U.S. government used boarding schools to force assimilation because:

• They wanted to preserve Native American cultures.

• They aimed to integrate Native Americans into American society.

• They intended to isolate Native American communities.

Answer explanation

The U.S. government established boarding schools to assimilate Native Americans into American society, stripping away their cultures and languages to promote conformity to mainstream American values.

The Dawes Act passed in 1887 under President Grover Cleveland, allowed the federal government to break up tribal lands. The federal government aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream U.S. society by encouraging them towards farming and agriculture. Native Americans were not accustomed to a life of standardized ranching and agriculture, and the lands allotted to them were often unsuitable for farming. Only the Native Americans who accepted the division of tribal lands were allowed to become U.S. citizens. This ended in the government stripping over 90 million acres of tribal land from Native Americans, then selling that land to non-native U.S. citizens.

Based on the excerpt, what was the MAIN purpose of the Dawes Act?

• To promote Native American hunting traditions.

• To increase federal control over state lands.

• To encourage Native Americans to migrate to urban areas.

• To assimilate Native Americans into mainstream U.S. society.

Answer explanation

The MAIN purpose of the Dawes Act was to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream U.S. society by promoting farming and agriculture, which was a significant shift from their traditional lifestyles.

The Dawes Act passed in 1887 under President Grover Cleveland, allowed the federal government to break up tribal lands. The federal government aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream U.S. society by encouraging them towards farming and agriculture. Native Americans were not accustomed to a life of standardized ranching and agriculture, and the lands allotted to them were often unsuitable for farming. Only the Native Americans who accepted the division of tribal lands were allowed to become U.S. citizens. This ended in the government stripping over 90 million acres of tribal land from Native Americans, then selling that land to non-native U.S. citizens.

Which statement from the excerpt provides evidence for the answer to Part A?

• The government granted more land to Native Americans than ever before.

• Native Americans were encouraged to abandon their traditional lifestyles entirely.

• ...aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream U.S. society by encouraging them towards farming and agriculture.

• The Dawes Act was designed to protect tribal lands from being sold.

Answer explanation

The statement "...aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream U.S. society by encouraging them towards farming and agriculture." directly supports the idea that Native Americans were encouraged to abandon their traditional lifestyles.

Before Americans settled on the western frontier, the land was primarily occupied by ________________.

• American Indians

• Bill of Rights

• Chinese Exclusion Act

• Homestead Act

Answer explanation

Before American settlers arrived, the western frontier was primarily inhabited by American Indians, who had lived on the land for centuries. The other options do not relate to the original inhabitants of the land.

There was an increase in population in the west because many settlers took advantage of the free land offered under the ________________________________.

• Bill of Rights

• Chinese Exclusion Act

• Homestead Act

• Gilded Age

Answer explanation

The correct answer is the Homestead Act, which provided free land to settlers in the west, leading to significant population growth. The other options do not relate to land distribution.

Due to anti-immigrant attitudes, the ________________________________ was passed in hopes of reducing competition for U.S. jobs in the West.

• Chinese Exclusion Act

• Immigration Act of 1924

• Alien and Sedition Acts

• Naturalization Act of 1790

Answer explanation

The Chinese Exclusion Act was enacted in 1882 to curb immigration from China, reflecting anti-immigrant sentiments and aiming to reduce job competition for U.S. workers, particularly in the West.

During the Gilded Age, ________________________________ wanted to restrict the number of immigrants entering the United States.

• Nativists

• Industrialists

• Immigrants

• Politicians

Answer explanation

During the Gilded Age, nativists sought to limit immigration, fearing that newcomers would threaten American jobs and culture. This group was particularly vocal in advocating for restrictions on immigrant entry.

During the ______________________________________, businesses became wealthy and corrupt government officials supported business-first policies.

• Gilded Age

• Industrial Revolution

• Progressive Era

• Roaring Twenties

Answer explanation

During the Gilded Age, rapid industrialization led to immense wealth for businesses, while corrupt officials promoted policies favoring these businesses, highlighting the era's economic disparity and corruption.