Challenges and Changes in Cattle Industry

Professor Blazek discusses the expansion of the American West, focusing on cattle farming and the life of cowboys, the challenges faced by settlers, and the farming industry in the Great Plains. The video also covers the Oklahoma land rush and its impact on Native American territories. Guiding questions are provided to help students understand the events leading to the settlement of the American West and the life of settlers.

What was the primary reason for the initial boom in the cattle farming industry?

• Government subsidies for cattle farmers

• Development of new farming technologies

• Introduction of new cattle breeds

• High demand for beef in the north and east

Which of the following was a major challenge faced by cowboys during cattle drives?

• Treacherous weather and terrain

• Frequent attacks by wild animals

• Lack of proper equipment

• Shortage of food and water

What led to the decline of cattle driving as a practice?

• Introduction of motor vehicles

• Building of ranches near railroads

• Government regulations

• Decrease in cattle prices

What was one of the main factors that contributed to the fall of the cattle industry in the late 1800s?

• Overgrazing and depletion of grasslands

• Increased competition from European markets

• Introduction of synthetic meat

• Government intervention in cattle pricing

How did the Homestead Act encourage settlement in the Great Plains?

• By offering free land to settlers

• By providing financial aid to farmers

• By granting 160 acres of land for a small fee

• By promising tax exemptions for new settlers

What was a common challenge faced by farming families in the Great Plains?

• Lack of access to education

• Scarcity of farming tools

• High cost of land

• Frequent natural disasters

Why was the 160-acre plot often insufficient for farmers in the Great Plains?

• The plots were too far from markets

• The land was too expensive

• The land did not receive enough rainfall

• The soil was too rocky for farming

What was the significance of the Oklahoma land rush?

• It marked the beginning of the American frontier

• It was the first organized land distribution in the US

• It led to the discovery of gold in Oklahoma

• It was the last major land rush in the American West

Who were the 'Sooners' in the context of the Oklahoma land rush?

• People who claimed land before the official start

• Government officials overseeing the land rush

• Native Americans who resisted the land rush

• Settlers who arrived after the official start

What was the impact of the Oklahoma land rush on Native American territories?

• It resulted in peace treaties with Native Americans

• It preserved Native American culture

• It led to the loss of Native American territories

• It expanded Native American lands