DBQ: Impact of Westward Expansion on Native Americans and the Role of Government

Name______

After thorough research, you are to construct a coherent essay that integrates your interpretation of Documents A–H and your knowledge of the period referred to in the prompt. High scores will be earned only for essays that both cite key pieces of evidence from the documents and draw on outside knowledge of the period. Use the following pages to record notes as directed by your instructor to prepare for writing your essay.

Prompt:

Analyze the extent to which western expansion affected the lives of Native Americans during the period 1860–90 and evaluate the role of the federal government in those effects.

Use the documents and your knowledge of the period 1860–90 in constructing your response.

Document A

Source:

Brief description:

1. Why do you believe soldiers are camped out on the outskirts of Indian Territory?

2. What is being done that is damaging to the Indians, and why is this seen as such a tragedy? Document B

Source:

Brief description:

1. According to this report, what types of atrocities are being committed by the U.S. military?

2. Why do you think this happened?

Document C

Source:

Brief description:

1. What does this statement imply about what the Native Americans felt was occurring?

2. What was the intent of the “white man” (hint: this is referring to attempts at assimilation)

Document D

Source:

Brief description:

1. What can be inferred from this letter about the state of the buffalo herds?

2. What course of action is recommended? Document E

Source:

Brief description:

1. What is the main purpose of the Homestead Act?

2. What was required in order for a person to own land?

Document F

Source:

Brief description:

1. Why does this report recommend that Indians not be given tents?

3. What is the goal of the government in regard to the Indians?

Document G

Source:

Brief description:

1. Based on this poster, name two reasons people would want to take the long passage to Kansas?

2. What other information might be helpful in determining how this document relates to the document-based question? Document H

Source:

Brief description:

1. What do you think this might represent or depict?

2. How might you go about finding out more about this?

Alternate Document H

Source:

Brief description:

1. Based on this statement, what are two reasons Chief Joseph finally surrendered to the U.S. government troops.

2. What, briefly, is the historical context of this statement? Introductory Paragraph

Thesis statement: During the period 1860—90, western expansion ______[affected] the lives of Native Americans, ______the federal government.

Body Paragraph 1:

Topic Sentence:

Reference to Document:

Related Outside knowledge:

Body Paragraph 2:

Topic Sentence:

Body Paragraph 3:

Topic Sentence:

Concluding Paragraph: Sample Thesis Statements:

During the period 1860—90, western expansion minimally affected the lives of Native Americans, because of the role of the federal government.

During the period 1860—90, western expansion greatly affected the lives of Native Americans, despite the best efforts of the federal government.

During the period 1860—90, western expansion greatly affected the lives of Native Americans, because of the powerful role of the federal government.

During the period 1860—90, western expansion totally changed the lives of Native Americans, as designed by the federal government.

These are just samples. Construct your own, being sure to address 1) the extent to which western expansion affected the lives of Native Americans, and 2) the role of the federal government.