America Story of Us, Episode 3 Westward Expansion

Name ______________________________ America Story of Us, Episode 3 Westward Expansion 1. Where was the Cumberland Gap? How was it created? The Cumberland Gap is a pass through the Appalachian Mountains located at the intersection of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee in the United States. It was created through geological processes over millions of years, primarily through the erosion of the surrounding rock by wind, water, and ice 2. What was the significance of Daniel Boone to westward expansion? Daniel Boone was a legendary frontiersman and explorer who played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States. He blazed trails through the Appalachian Mountains, including the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap, which facilitated the migration of settlers into Kentucky and beyond 3. What native tribes did Boone and his men encounter in their journey west? How did they interact? Boone and his men encountered various Native American tribes during their journeys west, including the Shawnee, Cherokee, and Delaware. Interactions varied from peaceful trade to conflicts, as tensions often arose over land and resources 4. Remember the Louisiana Purchase/Lewis and Clark? REMEMBER!! The Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803 when the United States acquired a vast territory from France, doubling the size of the country. Lewis and Clark were tasked with exploring this new territory, mapping its geography, and establishing American sovereignty over it 5. What western commodities (goods) became valuable as a result of American western expansion? Western commodities such as fur, timber, minerals (like gold and silver), cattle, and agricultural products like wheat and beef became valuable as a result of American westward expansion 6. Who was Jed Smith? What was his impact on westward expansion? Jedediah Smith was a fur trader, explorer, and mountain man who played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States, particularly in the exploration of the Rocky Mountains and the American West. His expeditions helped open up new trade routes and provided valuable geographical knowledge of the region 7. What were the motives of the “Great Wagon Trail”? Who was involved? The motives of the Great Wagon Trail, also known as the Oregon Trail, were primarily economic opportunity, land acquisition, and religious freedom. The trail was used by thousands of settlers in the mid-19th century to travel from the eastern United States to the Oregon Territory and other western destinations 8. What was the mortality rate of Americans moving west? The mortality rate of Americans moving west varied depending on factors such as the mode of transportation, the route taken, and encounters with disease, accidents, or conflicts. Mortality rates could be high, especially in harsh conditions or during periods of disease outbreaks 9. What was the fate of the Donner Party? The Donner Party was a group of American pioneers who became stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter of 1846-1847. Facing starvation and harsh conditions, some resorted to cannibalism to survive, and many perished before rescue parties reached them 10. What were the causes of the Texas Revolution? Explain the significance of the Alamo. The Texas Revolution was primarily caused by tensions between American settlers and the Mexican government, including issues such as cultural differences, slavery, and the desire for greater autonomy. The Alamo was a pivotal battle during the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan defenders, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, fought against a much larger Mexican force. Although the defenders ultimately lost, the battle became a symbol of Texan resistance and independence 11. What was the outcome of the Mexican-American War? The outcome of the Mexican-American War was the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, which ended the conflict and resulted in Mexico ceding a vast amount of territory to the United States, including present-day California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas 12. What was the migration rate to California due to the discovery of gold? How long did the “Gold Rush” last? How many struck gold? The discovery of gold in California sparked a massive migration known as the Gold Rush, with thousands of people flocking to the region in search of fortune. The Gold Rush lasted from 1848 to around 1855, and while many struck gold, others faced disappointment or hardship 13. What diseases were prevalent in the west? How did mortality compare to other parts of the country? Diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and smallpox were prevalent in the West, especially among settlers traveling along trails or living in crowded mining camps or frontier towns. Mortality rates could be high, particularly during epidemics, though they varied depending on factors such as access to medical care and sanitation 14. Explain Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act. What tribes were involved? Describe the Trail of Tears. Where were natives relocated to? Why? Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act of 1830 forcibly relocated numerous Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated territories west of the Mississippi River, primarily in present-day Oklahoma. The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation, during which thousands died due to harsh conditions and disease 15. How did merchants use the Mississippi River for trade? How did the steamship revolutionize trade/travel/transportation? Merchants used the Mississippi River for trade by transporting goods such as agricultural produce, furs, and timber downstream to markets in cities like New Orleans. The steamship revolutionized trade, travel, and transportation by significantly reducing travel time and allowing for larger cargo capacity, thus increasing the efficiency and volume of river commerce