Impact of 19th Century Settlements

Post-Civil War, Americans migrated westward, driven by gold rushes and land opportunities. Mining boomed, but often the rush itself was more profitable than the mines. The bison population plummeted due to industrial demand, replaced by cattle ranching. Mormons migrated to Utah seeking religious freedom. The Homestead Act encouraged settlement, transforming the plains into agricultural hubs.

What was a significant outcome of the gold and silver rushes in the mid-19th century?

• The immediate wealth from mining exceeded investments.

• The rushes led to the establishment of permanent settlements.

• The rushes caused a decline in population in the East.

• The rushes resulted in the discovery of new agricultural techniques.

What was a major consequence of the American bison slaughter in the 1870s?

• The bison population increased significantly.

• Bison hides became less valuable.

• Cattle ranching replaced bison on the grasslands.

• The bison became a common household pet.

Why did the Mormons migrate westward in the mid-19th century?

• To escape religious persecution.

• To find gold and silver.

• To establish new trade routes.

• To join the cattle ranching industry.

What role did Brigham Young play in the development of the Utah Territory?

• He was a mining entrepreneur.

• He led the cattle ranching industry.

• He was a railroad tycoon.

• He was appointed governor and encouraged agriculture.

What was the primary purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862?

• To establish new mining operations.

• To encourage settlement in the western territories.

• To provide land for cattle ranching.

• To promote industrialization in the East.

Which group was excluded from filing claims under the Homestead Act?

• Single men

• Married women

• Immigrants

• Unmarried women

What was a common challenge faced by settlers under the Homestead Act?

• Overpopulation in the western territories.

• Excessive rainfall on the plains.

• Difficulty in establishing self-sufficient farms.

• Lack of access to gold mines.

How did the population of Kansas change between 1860 and 1880?

• It increased from about 10,000 to 238,000 farms.

• It remained the same.

• It became the most populous state.

• It decreased significantly.

What was a key factor in the population growth of Texas by 1900?

• The discovery of gold.

• The expansion of the railroad.

• The implementation of the Homestead Act.

• The decline of the cattle industry.

What was the impact of immigration on the transformation of the plains?

• It resulted in the abandonment of the plains.

• It contributed to the rapid development of farm communities.

• It caused a decline in population.

• It led to a decrease in agricultural productivity.