USA HISTORY

WESTWARD EXPANSION INDUSTRIALIZATION URBANIZATION 1870 1900

WESTWARD EXPANSION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Besides rivers and mountains, select ALL other obstacles that pioneers heading west faced.
A
snow storms
B
icy roads
C
tornadoes
D
wildlife
E
drought
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Obstacles included accidental discharge of firearms, falling off mules or horses, drowning in river crossings, and disease. After entering the mountains, the trail also became much more difficult, with steep ascents and descents over rocky terrain. The pioneers risked injury from overturned and runaway wagons.

Detailed explanation-2: -As settlers and homesteaders moved westward to improve the land given to them through the Homestead Act, they faced a difficult and often insurmountable challenge. The land was difficult to farm, there were few building materials, and harsh weather, insects, and inexperience led to frequent setbacks.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gold rush and mining opportunities (silver in Nevada) The opportunity to work in the cattle industry; to be a “cowboy” Faster travel to the West by railroad; availability of supplies due to the railroad. The opportunity to own land cheaply under the Homestead Act.

Detailed explanation-4: -“Emigrants Crossing the Rocky Mountains.” The Rocky Mountains stretch like a jagged spine between Alaska and Mexico, splitting North America into East and West.

There is 1 question to complete.