The Westward Expansion History Quiz

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  • 1/15 Questions

    Who were the pioneers?

    • The first Americans to settle the west
    • A hockey team
    • Soldiers
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About This Quiz

Explore the era of Westward Expansion in the Westward Expansion History Quiz. Delve into the lives of the Forty-niners, pioneers' challenges, and the routes like the Oregon Trail. Understand historical living conditions, diseases, and transportation methods relevant to early American settlers.

The Westward Expansion History Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What Was The United States "Manifest Destiny"?

    • That America needed more slave states

    • That America needed to expand to the west and gain more land

    • That it was our obvious fate to have a war with Mexico

    • That America needed less slavery

    Correct Answer
    A. That America needed to expand to the west and gain more land
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 3. 

    What Was The Westward Expansion?

    • Everyone in the United States moved to western states

    • The United States decided to expand to the west and have more land

    • The United States expanded from the west to the east

    • All Americans realized the west was cooler than the east

    Correct Answer
    A. The United States decided to expand to the west and have more land
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 4. 

    What nickname was given to the people who traveled to California in search of gold?

    • Western boys

    • Seekers

    • Forty-niners

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

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  • 5. 

    This piece of legislation (law) offered 160 acres of free land to any settler who agreed to farm the land. 

    • Homestead Act

    • Dawes Act

    • Great Plains Act

    • Ghost Dance Act

    Correct Answer
    A. Homestead Act
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 6. 

    What kind of houses did the pioneers settling on the Great Plains often live in?

    • Sod houses

    • Apartments

    • Tepees

    Correct Answer
    A. Sod houses
    Explanation
    Pioneers on the Great Plains lived in sod houses which were made from blocks of dirt and grass.

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  • 7. 

    What kept people from moving west for so long?

    • The east coast was more beautiful

    • There were mountains in the way that made traveling west very difficult

    • The Native Americans wouldn't let white people move into their territory

    Correct Answer
    A. There were mountains in the way that made traveling west very difficult
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 8. 

    What was the name of the woman who helped Lewis and Clark?

    • Naya Nuki

    • Pocahantas

    • Mrs. Kandido

    • Sacagawea

    Correct Answer
    A. Sacagawea
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 9. 

    Where did the Oregon Trail begin?

    • Portland, Oregon

    • Independence, Missouri

    • Topeka, Kansas

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

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  • 10. 

    When the U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory, the U.S. grew by how much?

    • The United States grew by one state.

    • The United States tripled in size.

    • The United States did not purchase the Louisiana Territory.

    • The United States doubled in size.

    • The territory went all the way to California

    Correct Answer
    A. The United States doubled in size.
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 11. 

    What did the Corps of Discovery use animal fat for?

    • Nothing. They threw it away because they didn't want to get fat.

    • As a way to keep mosquitoes from biting them.

    • Shining their leather shoes

    • A source of food when there was nothing else in the Rockies but soup, candles and bear fat.

    • B and D

    Correct Answer
    A. B and D
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 12. 

    What disease killed many pioneers?

    • Chicken Pox

    • Influenza

    • Cholera

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

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  • 13. 

    Which of the following led to an increase in settlers moving to the West?

    • Homestead Act

    • Discovery of Gold

    • The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

    • Dawes Act

    • All options

    Correct Answer
    A. All options
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 14. 

    How did most people travel on the Oregon Trail?

    • They rode horses.

    • They rode in carriages.

    • They walked.

    Correct Answer
    A. They walked.
    Explanation
    Most people walked next to their wagons for most of the journey west.

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  • 15. 

    Why did many Mormons settle in Utah?

    • There was really good land there

    • The people there allowed Mormons religious freedom

    • The land there was so bad, they thought no one else would want to live there

    • It was the first place they came to with enough space for them

    Correct Answer
    A. The land there was so bad, they thought no one else would want to live there
    Explanation
    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.

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  • Current Version
  • Jan 03, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Feb 22, 2013
    Quiz Created by
    Theteachergeek
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