Exam Skills: The American West, c1835–c1895 (Edexcel GCSE History: Period Study (Paper 2, Booklet P)): Exam Questions

Explain two of the following: 

The importance of the Gold Rush (1849) for migration to the West.

The importance of the US federal government for dealing with law and order in the West.

The importance of Red Cloud’s War (1866-68) for relations between the Indigenous peoples (Plains Indians) and the US government.

(Total for Question 3 = 16 marks)

Explain two of the following: 

The importance of the expansion of the railroads for settlement in the West.

The importance of gold prospecting for conflict with the Indigenous peoples (Plains Indians).

The importance of new farming technology for farming in the West.

(Total for Question 3 = 16 marks)

Explain two of the following: 

The importance of the Indian Appropriations Act (1851) for the Indigenous peoples’ (Plains Indians) way of life.

The importance of the Oregon Trail for early migration to the West.

The importance of the Civil War for settlement in the West.

(Total for Question 3 = 16 marks)

Explain two of the following: 

The importance of changes in ranching for the cowboys’ way of life.

The importance of the Exoduster movement (1879) for the growth of settlement.

The importance of the extermination of the buffalo for the Indigenous peoples’ (Plains Indians) way of life.

(Total for Question 3 = 16 marks)

Explain two of the following: 

The importance of the Indigenous peoples’ (Plains Indians) beliefs about land and nature for relations between Indigenous peoples and settlers.

The importance of the Timber Culture Act (1873) for the settlement of the Plains.

The importance of the Johnson County War (1892) for relations between homesteaders and cattlemen.

(Total for Question 3 = 16 marks)