Expansion: opportunities/challenges KEY CONCEPTS

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The Great Plains
Enormous area of grasslands of the North America, between Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains. Semi-arid, few trees, extreme weather and inhabited by wolves.
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Great American Desert
What many white Americans called the Great Plains because to them it was uninhabitable (lack of trees + water)
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Eastern Lowlands
Area initially inhabited by first emigrants. Mostly flat and good for agriculture. Once overcrowded, people looked to move west.
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Manifest Destiny
Belief that white Americans had a God-given right to inhabit all of America, spreading Christianity and democracy, right to use war.
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Pioneer
Person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.
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Oregon Trail
One of the first routes west across America, opened c. 1840
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Economic depression
In 1837, the banks collapsed, causing increased unemployment and wage cuts and the loss of people's savings.
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Settler
Person who goes to live in a new country or area.
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Westward expansion
As people travelled west and settled, the USA grew, gaining more states. Was encouraged by manifest destiny.
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Savages
Indians viewed by white people as being uncivilised and barbaric (animal people).
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Scalping
Indians remove scalp of enemy to prevent them reaching the afterlife/trophy of war.
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Counting Coup
War was seen as a ritual by the Indians. Considered braver to touch an enemy than kill them him. Foolish to fight if outnumbered.
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Exposing
Indian leave elderly/sick behind - whole tribe more important than the individual.
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Wakan Tanka
Religion of the Plains Indians. Spirit World called on during dances e.g. Buffalo/Ghost.
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Polygamy
Custom of having more than one wife (practised by the Indians and Mormons).
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Tipi
Indians' portable home made of buffalo skins stretched over wooden poles.
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Buffalo
Animal seen as sacred by the Indians. Uses: Hide-tipi, clothes, bedding, bags. Tongue-hairbrush. Dung-fuel. Fat-cooking. Heart-new life to herd.
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Horses
Used by the Indians to hunt, in war, and to transport tipis. Also sign of wealth.
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Council
Indians met and talked, listening to advice of respected chiefs/medicine men.
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Nomadic
No fixed home - moving in search of the food (e.g. Plains Indians - Buffalo).
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Religious persecution
Mistreatment of a group for their religious views. E.g. the Mormons.
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Salt Lake
Area chosen by Young for the Mormons to live it was 1. isolated, 2. had land available, 3. was owned by Mexico and 4. was not wanted by anyone else.
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Gentile
What Mormons called non-Mormons.
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Winter Quarters
Mormons camped during winter 1846-7, waited for better conditions to travel. Food and fuel was low, 700 died.
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Advance groups
Young sent advance 'pioneers' ahead of of large group, to plant crops, build houses and set up staging posts for the travellers.
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Irrigation ditches
Built by Mormons to supply water to land for crops, channelled by mountains.
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Perpetual Emigration Fund
Created by the Mormon church to help fund Mormons across the world to migrate to Salt Lake, bringing their skills.
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Utah
Young wanted to build a state called Deseret. Government refused but allowed him to have a territory, Utah.
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Racial tension
Chinese labourers, Australian ex-convicts, freed African Americans etc all clashed with Americans in gold mining towns.
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Claim jumping
Stealing someone else's land or mining stake. Led to disputes between gold miners - vigilantes trying to solve them.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What many white Americans called the Great Plains because to them it was uninhabitable (lack of trees + water)

Back

Great American Desert

Card 3

Front

Area initially inhabited by first emigrants. Mostly flat and good for agriculture. Once overcrowded, people looked to move west.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Belief that white Americans had a God-given right to inhabit all of America, spreading Christianity and democracy, right to use war.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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