Question

1. Which legislation helped convince people to settle in the West in the late 1800's?

Federal Land Management Act
Homestead Act
Conscription Act
Pendleton Act


2. How did mineral discoveries affect western settlement?

They allowed towns to eliminate taxes.

They encouraged thousands of people to seek their fortunes.

They caused entrepreneurs to limit settlement.

They provided funds for eastern industries.


3. Why were settlers willing to leave their homes and head west in the late 1800's?

They wanted to explore new lands.

They hoped to settle peacefully with the Native Americans living there.

Railroad contracts offered them the possibility of huge rewards.

They sought economic opportunity.


4. Why were western lands suitable for ranching and farming?

Fertilizer was cheap and easy to spread.

Large, expansive plains could support crops or animals.

Most trees had been cleared by the railroads.

Both required little labor so large tracts were manageable.


5. Why were new states such as Colorado and the Dakotas admitted to the Union in the late 1800's?

The movement for statehood opened doors for Native Americans to gain full citizenship.

Railroad executives demanded that the lands where they built gain statehood.

A movement for western equality developed as cattlemen moved their herds.

Population in the territories grew through increased opportunities for ranching, farming, and mining.

Answer 1

1. "Homestead Act" is the legislation that helped convince people to settle in the West in the late 1800's. The correct option is the second option.

2. "They encouraged thousands of people to seek their fortunes" is the way that mineral discoveries affect western settlement. The correct option is the second option.

3. The settlers were willing to leave their homes and head west in the late 1800's because they sought economic opportunities. The correct option is the fourth option.

4. Western lands were suitable for ranching and farming because large, expansive plains could support crops or animals. The correct option is the second option.

5. New states such as Colorado and the Dakotas were admitted to the Union in the late 1800's because population in the territories grew through increased opportunities for ranching, farming, and mining. The correct option is the fourth option.

Answer 2

1. Homestead Act-- this act opened western lands for cheap with the requirement that families took the land for their own use and they had to stay for at least 5 years.

2. They encouraged thousands of people to seek their fortunes-- the mines brought many people especially young, unmarried people to the west to find a rich mine. Gold, silver, and iron mines were essential for industrial production and made those that found veins wealthy.

3. They sought economic opportunity-- the above question shows one economic opportunity in the form of mines. The west also offered farming, lumber, and building of new settlements. Oil will also bring people to the west seeking fortune.

4. Large, expansive plains could support crops or animals-- plains allowed for large areas for animals to eat and be ranched. The lands also supported many crops such as corn which was needed for feed.

5. Population in the territories grew through increased opportunities for ranching, farming, and mining-- new populations coming to the west increased population allowing for new states to enter the Union in the late 19th century.