Westward Expansion Questions

1. What are some of the main reasons that the federal government's policy of assimilation failed? Think About:

• Native Americans' way of life
  
• Cultural differences
  
• Attitude of whites toward Native Americans
  
• Government Promises

In my opinion, the very thought of assimilation for the Native Americans was doomed from the start. The Native Americans had lived the same way for thousands of years even before we Americans came along. The Indians must have thought, "We were here first. What right do you Americans have to come on our land, try to take it, and make us change our ways, our religion?" Even if some Native Americans were willing to try the American way of life, the Americans already looked down on Indians, what hope would they have of finding a good job? Would they become slave just like American negros? Even though he government promised to give them 160 acres for each head of the household and 80 to each unmarried adult, the Native Americans couldn't possibly have trusted this treaty because the American have broken many treaties before. The Native Americans also didn't want to give up the sacred land that they already owned, the land of their ancestors.

2. How successful were government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains? Give examples to support your answer.

Think about:

• The growth in population on the Great Plains
  
• The role of railroads in the economy
  
• The Homestead Act

The Government was extremely successful at promoting settlement to the Great Plains. Settlers took advantage of the cheap and fertile land. The new railroad tracks made transportating cattle and other money making things for farmers much easier and quicker, getting more money for farmers and hunters who lived of this new land. When the government passed the Homestead Act, which gave 160 acres free to any head of household, over 600,000 families rushed into the Great Plains. So many settlers wanted to get land that when the government opened up Oklahoma for land, settlers rushed in so fast that the government hadn't even declared some land open before it was already claimed.