SAQs for APUSH Topic 6.3 — Westward Expansion (Social and Cultural Development)

Five questions designed to help students review for the annual exam and that relate to American values, customs, beliefs, practices, traditions, and ideals found in most rural and boomtown areas of the West between the end of the Civil War and the start of the Spanish American War.

1. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, they moved to both rural and boomtown areas of the West for opportunities, such as building the railroads, mining, farming, and ranching. Two ideals that many Americans who moved west sought to achieve was ‘self-sufficiency’ and ‘independence.” What does “self-sufficiency mean? Also, independence from what?
2. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, many would come to view the American Indians encountered along the way as “bloodthirsty savages.” This anti-American Indian attitude often resulted in various treaty violations. One piece of evidence in support of this claim is the Fort Laramie Treaty violation of 1868. The American Indian resistance that often followed a treaty violation was, in turn, often met with military force. Evidence in support of this claim includes The Sand Creek Massacre and the Battle of Little Big Horn. Briefly describe each. American Indian resistance to treaty violations was also often met with calls for ‘assimilation.” What does this word mean? Also, briefly describe how the Carlisle Indian School sought to assimilate the American Indian. Lastly, briefly describe one additional response to American Indian resistance to treaty violations . . . the Dawes Act. Specifically, describe how the Dawes Act denied American Indians their tribal sovereignty.
3. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, many would demonstrate an “anti-Chinese attitude (aka sentiment). Name and briefly describe a law that was passed between 1865–1898 that reflected this anti-Chinese attitude.
4. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, many would demonstrate an “anti-Mexican sentiment. Evidence in support of this claim can be found in the lynching of Mexicans and Mexican US-Americans in the Southwest, with one particularly infamous lynching occurring in 1851 when a Mexican woman was lynched by a mob in California. What was she accused of? Name and briefly describe one way in which something called Las Gorras Blancas, responded to the lynchings of Mexican Americans and the appropriation of Mexican American land by white settlers.
5. Between 1865–1898, Americans moved westward. As they moved Westward, many brought with them an attitude toward African Americans that would result in the barring of African Americans from eating at certain restaurants or staying in certain hotels. What US Supreme Court decision issued between 1865–1898 justified this anti-African American behavior?