Can You Answer These Historical Questions? Part- III

During the Cornstock strike, a large amount of silver was discovered in Virginia City, Nevada. This led to a sudden influx of people and economic growth, transforming the town into a boomtown. The mining industry thrived, attracting miners, investors, and businesses to the area. Virginia City became a bustling hub of activity, with a rapid increase in population, infrastructure development, and wealth.

The Dawes Act attempted to help Native Americans by selling land and building a trust of money for them. This act aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by encouraging private land ownership and agriculture. The government believed that by dividing reservation lands into individual plots and providing financial assistance, Native Americans would become self-sufficient farmers and eventually integrate into American society. However, the act ultimately resulted in the loss of Native American land and culture, as much of the land was sold to non-Native individuals or corporations.

Settlers on the Great Plains faced the hardship of prairie fires. These fires were a common occurrence due to the dry and grassy nature of the prairie ecosystem. They were often caused by lightning strikes or human activities such as farming and hunting. Prairie fires could spread rapidly, destroying crops, homes, and endangering the lives of settlers. The lack of natural barriers like trees and the abundance of dry grass made it difficult to control or prevent these fires, making them a significant challenge for the settlers on the Great Plains.

In the early 1800s, Americans did not think cattle ranches on the Great Plains were practical because eastern cattle could not survive on the tough prairie grasses. The tough prairie grasses were not suitable for the eastern cattle's diet and they were unable to graze and thrive on it. This made it difficult for ranchers to raise and maintain a healthy herd of cattle on the Great Plains.

The correct answer is negotiate. Before the Sand Creek Massacre, the Cheyenne had come to Camp Lyon to engage in negotiations. This suggests that they were seeking a peaceful resolution or agreement with the authorities at the camp. The term "negotiate" implies a willingness to discuss and compromise, indicating that the Cheyenne were attempting to find a diplomatic solution rather than resorting to violence.

Placer mining is the correct answer because it refers to the process of extracting minerals, such as gold or diamonds, from loose deposits found in rivers or streams. This method involves using tools like pans, sluices, or dredges to sift through sediment and separate the valuable minerals from the surrounding material. It was commonly used by early prospectors who would search for these deposits in rivers or along the banks where erosion had occurred. This method was effective for extracting shallow deposits of ore and was less labor-intensive compared to other mining techniques.

After the depletion of ore near the surface, mining corporations turned to quartz mining as the next viable option. Quartz mining involves the extraction of quartz, a mineral that is abundant and widely distributed. This type of mining allows corporations to continue extracting valuable minerals even when the surface ore has been exhausted. It is a cost-effective method that involves the use of machinery and equipment to extract quartz from underground deposits.

The fencing of the open range resulted in the end of long cattle drives, as the fences restricted the movement of the cattle. It also led to the transition of cowboys to ranch lands, as their traditional way of life on the open range was no longer viable. Additionally, the fencing resulted in the replacement of longhorns with new European breeds, as ranchers began to selectively breed and raise different types of cattle. However, the decline of the cattle industry in favor of sheep ranching was not a direct result of the fencing of the open range.