The Westward Expansion History Quiz

The pioneers were the first Americans to settle the west.

The concept of "Manifest Destiny" refers to the belief held by many Americans in the 19th century that it was their destiny and right to expand westward and gain more land. This idea was fueled by a sense of American exceptionalism and a desire for territorial expansion. It was not specifically about needing more slave states or less slavery, but rather about the perceived need for the United States to expand its territory and influence.

The correct answer is that the United States decided to expand to the west and have more land. This refers to a period in American history during the 19th century when the country sought to acquire and settle territories in the western part of the continent. This expansion was driven by various factors, including economic opportunities, the desire for territorial control, and the belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that it was the nation's destiny to expand its boundaries. The westward expansion led to the acquisition of territories such as Louisiana, Texas, Oregon, and California, greatly increasing the size of the United States.

The people who traveled to California in search of gold were called Forty-niners because they traveled there in 1849.

The correct answer is the Homestead Act. This legislation provided an opportunity for settlers to acquire land for free by agreeing to farm and improve it. The act aimed to encourage westward migration and the development of agriculture in the United States. By offering 160 acres of land, it allowed individuals to establish their own farms and build a future for themselves and their families. The Homestead Act played a significant role in the expansion and settlement of the American West.

Pioneers on the Great Plains lived in sod houses which were made from blocks of dirt and grass.

The presence of mountains posed a significant obstacle for people trying to move westward. These natural barriers made traveling to the western regions challenging and arduous. The rugged terrain and lack of developed transportation infrastructure made it difficult for individuals to traverse the mountains and reach their desired destinations. As a result, people were deterred from moving west for a considerable period of time.

Sacagawea is the correct answer because she was a Shoshone woman who played a vital role in assisting Lewis and Clark during their expedition to explore the western part of the United States. She acted as a translator, guide, and mediator with various Native American tribes they encountered along the way. Sacagawea's knowledge of the land, language, and customs proved invaluable to the success of the expedition. Her contributions helped establish peaceful relationships and secure necessary supplies for the journey.

The Oregon Trail started in Independence, Missouri. The other cities are not a part of the Oregon Trail.

When the U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory, it acquired a vast amount of land, which effectively doubled the size of the country. The Louisiana Purchase, made in 1803, expanded the United States westward from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, encompassing present-day states such as Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Idaho. This acquisition significantly increased the territorial extent of the United States and played a crucial role in its westward expansion and development.

The Corps of Discovery used animal fat for two purposes: as a way to keep mosquitoes from biting them and as a source of food when there was nothing else available in the Rockies. They did not throw it away because they didn't want to get fat, nor did they use it for shining their leather shoes. Therefore, the correct answers are B and D.

Cholera was a disease from drinking dirty water and was a big problem along the Oregon Trail.

All of the options listed (Homestead Act, Discovery of Gold, The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, Dawes Act) contributed to an increase in settlers moving to the West. The Homestead Act of 1862 provided free land to settlers who were willing to develop and improve it. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 and later in other western states attracted thousands of people seeking wealth and opportunity. The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 made travel to the West easier and faster, encouraging more people to relocate. The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing their tribal lands and distributing them to individual Native American households, leading to further settlement in the West.

Most people walked next to their wagons for most of the journey west.

Many Mormons settled in Utah because they believed that the land was so bad that no one else would want to live there. This belief allowed them to establish their own community and practice their religion freely without interference from others.