Chapter 14 Worksheet
1. Describe pioneer life on the western frontier.
Life was depressing for most pioneer families because their houses were poorly built and they were poorly fed. They were also victims of disease, depression, and premature death. Worst of all, the pioneer people dealt with loneliness, especially the women who would sometimes go through madness. For the men, there was no entertainment, such as barred wrestling. People who were stuck on the western frontier would be misinformed and very independent; but once in awhile pioneers would also ask their neighbors or government for assistance in tasks or repairs.
2. What does the author see as a distinctive characteristic of the US? In some ways Americans destroyed this. Explain.
The author see the natural beauty of the US as a distinctive characteristic. Americans sort of destroyed the natural beauty by driving certain animals to extinction. For example, American fur trappers have been setting up their traplines all over the Rocky Mountains to catch beaver. Along with trading beaver fur, traders would also trade sea otter pelts. The trading and hunting of these animals can leave imprints on an environment as well.
3. What led to the population growth in the US? What caused the "whitening" of the population?
As the people moved west, the population increased rapidly. There was also rapid urbanization, which allowed people to move in and find more stable shelter. Increasing European immigration and the closing of the slave trade gradually "whitened'' the population.
4. Why did immigrants come to the US during this period?
The immigrants came partly because Europe seemed to be running out of room. Since Europe was generating a "surplus" amount of people, the immigrants felt displaced and were homeless. As a result, immigrants felt attracted to come to the US.
5. What led to the Irish immigration to America? The Irish most often lived in large port cities on the eastern seaboard. Why?
The the Irish were extremely dependent on the potato crop but the crop was struck by a disease, leading to the potato famine. Due to the lack of food, one fourth of them were swept away by disease and hunger, which led the Irish immigrants to flee to America in hopes of escaping the potato famine. The Irish most often lived in large port cities because they were too poor to move west and buy the necessary land, livestock, and equipment.
6. Describe the lives of the Irish immigrants. Why were they so disliked by "native" American citizens?
Irish immigrants were neglected and mistreated. For example, they were crammed into poor overcrowded cities. They took on low-skill occupational jobs such as kitchen maids, or pick-and-shovel drudgery on canals and railroads. Native American citizens disliked the Irish, because they felt that they were taking their jobs and votes, considering them a "social menace."
7. Why did politicians want to gain the Irish vote? How did the Irish of later generations come to dominate many cities?
Politicians wanted to gain the Irish vote, because the Irish started acquiring status when they began gaining control of powerful city machines, such as New York's Tammany Hall. The Irish of later generations began dominating cities when they took control over police departments in big cities.
8. Why did so many German immigrants come to America? How did the
German immigrants differ from the Irish immigrants?
Most of the German immigrants were farmers, displaced by crop failure and other hardships; but some of them were liberal political refugees, who were saddened by the collapse of the democratic revolutions of 1848. Those refugees came to America for a brighter light of democracy. Unlike the Irish, German immigrants possessed a moderate amount of material goods. Most of them pushed out to the Middle West, where they built model farms. Also, the German immigrants were not politically strong because they were widely scattered.
9. What effect did the German immigrants have on American culture?
The German immigrants contributed the Conestoga wagon, the Kentucky rifle, and the Christmas tree to American culture. Since they seemed to be better educated than some Americans, the German immigrants supported public schools. They also stimulated the growth of art and music. They championed freedom and were the relentless enemies of slavery during the Civil War.
