Paper 1A — Period: America 1840–1895, Expansion and consolidation

1. Question 1

   The Homestead Act of 1862 granted land to settlers who...

   • A) Paid a low fixed price
   • B) Farmed the land for five years
   • C) Won a government lottery
   • D) Were Union army veterans
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   Answer: Farmed the land for five years

   Signed by Lincoln during the Civil War. Anyone (including women and freed slaves) over 21 could claim 160 acres of public land — they had to build a home and farm it for 5 years to gain title. It encouraged westward expansion onto land that had belonged to Native American peoples, accelerating their displacement.

2. Question 2

   The Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) was a famous defeat for...

   • A) The Sioux
   • B) The Cheyenne
   • C) General Custer's US 7th Cavalry
   • D) Mexico
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   Answer: General Custer's US 7th Cavalry

   Custer led ~210 men of the 7th Cavalry against a Sioux + Cheyenne encampment of ~7,000 led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Custer divided his force and was overwhelmed. A short-term Native American victory; the US response was overwhelming military force, leading to defeat of the Plains tribes within 15 years.

3. Question 3

   'Manifest Destiny' was the belief that...

   • A) Slaves should be freed
   • B) America was destined to expand across the entire continent
   • C) Native Americans should be left alone
   • D) Britain should rule America
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   Answer: America was destined to expand across the entire continent

   Provided a moral justification for: war with Mexico (1846-48 — gained California, Texas, the Southwest), forced removal of Native Americans (Trail of Tears 1838, Indian Removal Act), the Oregon settlement with Britain. The settlers genuinely believed they had a religious + civilizing duty. Native and Mexican populations bore the cost.

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