#AP US History: Westward Expansion - The Ultimate Study Guide

Hey there, future AP US History master! Let's break down Westward Expansion. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the exam. We'll hit the key points, make connections, and get you feeling confident. Let's dive in!

#1. The Allure of the West

The 19th-century West was like a giant magnet 🧲, drawing people in with the promise of opportunity. Think of it as the original 'gold rush' of dreams and new beginnings.

• Gold and Silver: Discovery of precious metals was a huge draw.
• Government Land Grants: The Homestead Act offered free land, which was a major incentive.
• Diverse Settlers: Homesteaders, miners, railroad workers, and ranchers – both immigrants and American citizens – all came seeking a fresh start.

#2. Native American Policies and Conflicts

#2.1 "One Big Reservation" Policy

Before the Civil War, the West was considered "Indian Country." The Indian Intercourse Act of 1834 restricted white access. Then, things changed:

• Concentration Policy (1851): The government defined specific reservation boundaries for each tribe, forcing relocation to clear land for white settlement.

#2.2 Sand Creek Massacre (1864)

This was a horrific event that highlights the brutality of westward expansion. Colorado military, led by Colonel John Chivington, attacked a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho camp at Sand Creek.

• Brutal Attack: Soldiers were ordered to "Kill and scalp all, big and little." Even women and children were murdered.
• Failed Peace Attempt: Chief Black Kettle raised American and white flags, but the attack continued.

#2.3 Battle of Little Bighorn (1876)

Also known as "Custer's Last Stand," this battle was a major Native American victory, but it ultimately fueled public anger and calls for revenge.

• Custer's Miscalculation: Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer underestimated the size of the Sioux force.
• Sioux Victory: Custer and his men were quickly overwhelmed and killed.

#2.4 Ghost Dance Movement

This was a religious movement that offered hope and resistance to Native Americans. It promised a return to the old ways and the disappearance of white settlers.

• Goal: To restore Native American lands and bring back the bison.
• Belief: The Ghost Dance would unite Native Americans and bring about a new Earth.

#2.5 Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)

#Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

This tragic event marked the end of major armed resistance by Native Americans. It was a direct result of the government's fear of the Ghost Dance movement.

• Army Intervention: The US Army was sent to stop the Ghost Dance.
• Accidental Shot: A shot was fired, and the army responded with machine guns.
• Massacre: Around 200 men, women, and children were killed.

Understanding these conflicts is crucial. They demonstrate the clash of cultures and the brutal impact of westward expansion on Native Americans.

#2.6 Assimilation Policies

The US government aimed to force Native Americans to adopt white American culture.

• Boarding Schools: Schools like the Carlisle Indian School aimed to break the connection between children and their culture.
• Broken Treaties: The government violated its own treaties and sought to end tribal sovereignty.

#2.7 Dawes Act (1887)

Also known as the General Allotment Act, this law aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments.

• Land Redistribution: Tribal lands were divided and given to individual households.
• Loss of Land: Native Americans lost millions of acres of land, which were sold to white settlers.
• Population Decline: By 1900, the Native American population drastically decreased from 5 million in 1492 to 250,000

#3. The Hardships of the Farming Frontier

Life in the West wasn't easy for settlers. It was full of challenges and economic struggles.

• Economic Struggles: Farmers faced falling prices for their goods and rising railroad rates.
• Monopolies: Trusts in the East, like Standard Oil, kept prices high for manufactured goods.
• Competition: Small farmers struggled to compete with large bonanza farms.

#3.1 Progressive Reform Movements

Farmers organized to address their economic challenges.

• Grange Movements and Farmers' Alliances: These groups lobbied for government regulation.
• Munn v. Illinois: This Supreme Court case established states' power to regulate commerce within their borders.
• Interstate Commerce Act (1887): The first federal law aimed at regulating industry, especially railroads.

#3.2 Limits of Reform

Despite some successes, these movements had limitations.

• Corporate Circumvention: Large corporations found ways to avoid regulations.
• Limited Impact: The Interstate Commerce Committee had limited success in regulating railroads.

#3.3 The End of the Frontier

In 1890, the US Census Bureau declared the American frontier closed. This marked the end of westward expansion and a significant shift in American identity.

#Final Exam Focus

• Highest Priority Topics:

  • Native American policies and conflicts (especially the Dawes Act, Wounded Knee, and the Ghost Dance)
  • The economic struggles of farmers and the rise of reform movements
  • The impact of westward expansion on both settlers and Native Americans

• Common Question Types:

  • Multiple-choice questions on specific events and policies
  • Short-answer questions analyzing the effects of westward expansion
  • Free-response questions comparing and contrasting different groups' experiences in the West

• Last-Minute Tips:

  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
  • Common Pitfalls: Be careful not to confuse similar events (e.g., Sand Creek and Wounded Knee). Pay attention to dates.
  • Strategies: Use the documents provided in the FRQs to support your arguments. Don't just summarize; analyze!

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the goal of the Dawes Act of 1887? (A) To establish new reservations for Native Americans (B) To promote Native American cultural traditions (C) To assimilate Native Americans into white American culture (D) To protect Native American land from white settlement

2. The Ghost Dance movement is best understood as: (A) A political movement aimed at gaining voting rights for Native Americans. (B) A cultural movement focused on preserving Native American languages. (C) A religious movement that promised to restore Native American lands and way of life. (D) An economic movement aimed at improving Native American access to resources.

3. The Supreme Court case of Munn v. Illinois (1877) was significant because it: (A) Upheld the rights of railroad companies to set their own rates. (B) Established the power of states to regulate commerce within their borders. (C) Declared the Interstate Commerce Act unconstitutional. (D) Granted Native Americans the right to vote.

#Short Answer Question

Briefly explain ONE specific way that the US government attempted to assimilate Native Americans into white American culture during the late 19th century. Then explain ONE specific way that Native Americans resisted these efforts.

#Free Response Question

Analyze the ways in which the US government's policies towards Native Americans during the late 19th century affected Native American societies. Be sure to consider both the intended and unintended consequences of these policies.

Scoring Breakdown for FRQ:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Evidence (2-3 points): Use of specific historical evidence to support your argument. (e.g., Dawes Act, boarding schools, Wounded Knee)
• Analysis (2-3 points): Explanation of how the evidence supports your thesis. (e.g., the Dawes Act led to loss of land and cultural disruption; boarding schools aimed to erase Native American identity; Wounded Knee marked the end of armed resistance)
• Complexity (1 point): Demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering multiple perspectives or contradictions. (e.g., the government's stated goal of assimilation vs. the reality of cultural destruction and resistance.)

You've got this! Remember, you're not just memorizing facts; you're understanding the story of America. Now go ace that exam! 🚀