Moving West Flashcards
(24 cards)
Why did people move West?
For land, gold, and religious freedom.
Who were the main Mormon leaders during Westward expansion?
Joseph Smith and Birgham Young
Why did conflict arise when Mormons settled in Missouri?
Non-Mormons were angered by Mormon beliefs and influence; violence erupted, and Joseph Smith was jailed and killed.
What happened in Kirtland, Ohio?
Mormons set up businesses like banks, but local turned on them after economic failures; they were forced to flee.
Where did the Mormons settle after Missouri and what did they do there?
They moved to Nauvoo, set up their own army, and declared independence from the rest of Illionois.
What is Manifest Destiny?
A belief from 1845 that Americans had a God-given duty to expand west and civilise the land for white people - often leading to destruction of Native American life.
What even started the Gold Rush and when?
The discovery of gold in California in 1848.
Who mostly took part in the 1849 Gold Rush?
Thousands of single male emigrants seeking fortune.
How did gold mining change by the 1850s?
It was dominated by large mining companies rather than individual miners.
What did the Homestead Act of 1862 do?
It gave land to anyone, mostly poor people in the Great Plains, for a small fee.
What were the requirements to be a homesteader?
You had to be head of the family, over 21 and a US citizen.
What was much of the land also used for under the Homestead Act?
It was given way to build public buildings like schools and railroads.
What did most homesteads involve?
Farming on sod houses, with settlers growing most of the food themselves.
What were the main methods of travel for people moving west?
By foot, wagon, or occasionally by boat and railroad (though railroads were inconsistent and expensive)
What was the “Wagon Trail”?
A visible route made by many wagons travelling west; it helped guide people by showing a direct path.
Why did most people walk instead of riding in wagons?
Wagons were uncomfortable, had no suspension, and were needed for belongings - most walked except pregnant woman or elderly.
Why did pioneers travel in groups?
For help during the journey and for safety - if necessary, they could resort to cannibalism in emergencies.
What is a prairie town?
A place where travellers settled after moving west.
What was one major difficulty on the journey west?
Ensuring that their food wouldn’t rot.
What were some climate-related dangers when moving west?
Extreme heat (risk of dehydration) and harsh winter conditions.
What landscape features made travel west difficult?
Rivers and the Rocky Mountains.
What was a common disease people faced while moving west?
Camp fever.
Why were Native Americans considered a danger?
Some settlers feared they might attack.
What animal-related dangers did travellers face?
Wolf attacks and bites from poisonous snakes.
