US History: Migration & Settlement Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the impact of European colonization on Native American populations?

Answer: Population declined due to disease and conflict

European colonization had a devastating impact on Native American populations, primarily due to the introduction of Old World diseases like smallpox, to which Native Americans had no immunity. Additionally, violent conflicts over land and resources, forced displacement, and enslavement further contributed to a catastrophic demographic decline.

Why did many Europeans migrate to the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries?

Answer: To gain religious freedom and economic opportunity

Many Europeans migrated to the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries seeking refuge from religious persecution and the chance for a better economic life. Groups like the Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics sought freedom to practice their faith, while others hoped to acquire land, escape poverty, or find new opportunities unavailable in their homelands.

Which legislation had the greatest impact on migration patterns in the United States after 1862?

Answer: Homestead Act

Passed in 1862, the Homestead Act was a pivotal piece of legislation that encouraged westward migration by offering 160 acres of public land to any citizen or intended citizen who would live on it, cultivate it for five years, and pay a small filing fee. This act spurred massive settlement of the Great Plains and significantly shaped American demographic patterns after the Civil War.

How did the Great Migration during the 20th century impact American cities?

Answer: It increased the African American population in northern cities

The Great Migration, occurring primarily from the 1910s to the 1970s, saw millions of African Americans move from the rural South to industrial cities in the North, Midwest, and West. They sought to escape racial discrimination and violence, and to find better economic opportunities, fundamentally transforming the demographics and culture of American urban centers.

Which immigrant group faced significant restrictions under the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act?

Answer: Chinese immigrants

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first major law in U.S. history to explicitly prohibit immigration for a specific ethnic group. It effectively banned Chinese laborers from entering the country and prevented those already here from becoming citizens, reflecting widespread nativist and anti-Chinese sentiment at the time.

Why did nativist sentiment rise in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

Answer: Many believed immigrants threatened American values

Nativist sentiment, characterized by intense opposition to immigration, rose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to fears that new immigrants, often from Southern and Eastern Europe, would undermine American culture, depress wages, and introduce radical political ideas. These anxieties led to calls for stricter immigration laws and discriminatory practices.

Which factor contributed most to westward migration after the Civil War?

Answer: Availability of free or cheap land

After the Civil War, the availability of vast tracts of free or cheap land, largely facilitated by the Homestead Act of 1862, was the primary driver of westward migration. This promise of land ownership attracted millions of settlers, including farmers, ranchers, and former slaves, seeking new opportunities and a fresh start.

Which region saw a major influx of Irish immigrants during the mid-19th century?

Answer: The Northeastern cities

During the mid-19th century, particularly after the Great Famine (Potato Famine) of the 1840s, millions of Irish immigrants arrived in the United States. Lacking resources, they largely settled in the burgeoning industrial cities of the Northeast, such as Boston and New York, where they found work in factories, construction, and domestic service.

What was a major consequence of U.S. internal migration patterns in the 20th century?

Answer: Rural depopulation and urban growth

The 20th century saw significant internal migration, particularly the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to northern and western cities, and a general movement from farms to urban centers. This led to a dramatic increase in city populations and a corresponding decrease in people living in rural areas, transforming the demographic landscape of the nation.