Modern US History 316AG: Entering the Modern Era - Unit #3, Part 1

This assignment focuses on the American West during the late 19th century as part of a Modern US History course. It covers topics such as the Louisiana Purchase exploration by Lewis and Clark, the land ceded by Mexico after the Mexican-American War, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The assignment also explores the reasons behind westward expansion, the growth of industries like mining and agriculture, and the impact of the Homestead Act of 1862. Furthermore, it addresses the hardships faced by settlers on the Great Plains, the environmental impact of resource exploitation, and the displacement of Native Americans onto reservations, including the Massacre at Sand Creek and Custer's Last Stand. Finally, the assignment touches on the consolidation of the railroad industry and its influence on modern business practices.

Lesson 3.01- The American West (pages 460-469 in your book)
1. During the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, Lewis_______ and Clark_______ explored
the lands of the Louisiana Purchase, eventually reaching the Pacific Northwest. [2pts]
(pg. 462)
2. After the Mexican-American War, Mexico ceded which four present-day states? [4pts]
(pg. 462)
a. California
b. Nevada
c. Utah
d. New Mexico
3. The Transcontinental Railroad___________________, finished in Promontory Point,
Utah, was the first of many railroads to link once-distant parts of the country together.
[2pts] (pg. 464)
4. Why were so many settlers willing to leave their homes and head west in the late
1800s? [2pts] (pg. 464-465)
a. To explore new lands
b. To learn about Native Americans
c. To take advantage of railroad contracts
d. For economic opportunities
Answer- (c) To take advantage of the railroad contracts
5. Industry grew with Western Expansion. What two other things grew as well? [2pts] (pg.
465)
a. Mining
b. Agriculture
Lesson 3.02- The Changing West (pages 469-475 in your book)
1. Much of the settlement of the Great Plains was prompted by the Homestead Act of 1862.
What did the Homestead Act provide? [2pts] (pg. 471)
 The Act allowed Americans above the age of 21 to file claims for 160 acres of land.
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Modern US History 316AG
Unit #3-Entering the Modern Era_ Part 1
Get your book open on your desktop because this unit is “all about” practicing
skimming material to search for key words towards comprehension. Read through
the pages indicated for each section to answer each question. Return this assignment
to the dropbox by the assigned due dates. Point Value: 34 Points

2. Use the space below to answer the following [4pts] (pg. 473-474):
 Name two hardships settlers faced on the plains:
 What were two jobs that the women had while living on the Great Plains?
The hardships faced by the settlers on the plains included 14 hours working duty
comprising of strenuous jobs. Along with this, the wives of the labors had to pull
heavy weights, which took a toll on their health.
The women, living on the Great Plains were involved in the jobs like milking the
cows and churning the butter.
3. Which is true of the development of western land, timber, gold, and oil? [2pts] (pg. 471)
 All had a negative environmental impact
 All were abundant, renewable resources
 All were carefully regulated
 All had been exploited by Native Americans for many years
Answer- All of the resources had negative impact on the preservation of the environment.
Lesson 3.03: The End of a Way of Life (page 475-485 in your book)
1. The U.S. Government forced thousands of Native Americans off their lands and onto
reservations__________. [2pts] (pg. 475)
2. In your own words, describe the events that led to the Massacre at Sand Creek [2pts] (pg.
476)
 The federal officials attempted to prevent the violence resulting from the
intervention of 100000 prospectors into the lands of Chereyenne and Arapabo
islands. One of the striking facts is driving the Indians into reservations, before
they can confront the whites.
3. Colonel George Custer’s defeat at the hands of the Sioux tribe, often called “Custer’s Last
Stand______________”, occurred at the Battle of__Little Bighorn_____________ in 1874.
[3pts] (pg. 477)
4. What three things did the Dawes Act do for Native Americans? [3pts] (pg. 480)
 Division of every reservation into 160 acre plots
 Improving the quality of the properties
 Breaking the tribal structure
Lesson 3.04: Meeting Challenges (page 486-491 in your book)
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1. As the railroad industry grew, many of the businesses gradually consolidated. [2pts] (pg
489)
a) Define consolidated:
Consolidation was the stage when the smaller companies indulged in joint ventures
with the larger ones.
2. Which practice originated in the railroad industry and influenced modern business
practices? [2pts] (pg. 489)
a) Builders agreed on a universal width for train tracks
b) Railroad owners sold stock to finance the construction of railroads
c) Pullman began manufacturing cars for overnight travel
d) Inventors developed air brakes and more efficient train-car connectors.
Answer: (b)
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Bibliography
Keller, Morton, Kire, Mary Beth, Zeitz, Joshua and Holdren, John, 2009, The American Odyssey: A History
of United States,K12 Publishers
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