The Changing West
History

Involved cowboys moving herds of cattle long distances to market and railroad
Cattle drive
Involved cowboys moving herds of cattle long distances to market and railroad. Cattle drive. A cattle drive was a historic journey where cowboys led large groups of cattle over long distances to sell them or transport them by train.

A leader of the Nez Perce who were forcibly removed onto a reservation
Chief Joseph
A leader of the Nez Perce who were forcibly removed onto a reservation. Chief Joseph. Chief Joseph was a Native American leader known for his resistance against the U.S. government's attempts to forcibly relocate his tribe.

A United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars
George A Custer
A United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. George A. Custer was a prominent military leader known for his defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

A writer who became an activist on behalf of better treatment of Native Americans
Helen Hunt Jackson
A writer who became an activist on behalf of better treatment of Native Americans. Helen Hunt Jackson. She was a 19th-century author who advocated for Native American rights and highlighted their struggles.

An individual who owned and operated their own farms on land given by government
Homesteader
An individual who owned and operated their own farms on land given by government. Homesteader. In history, a homesteader was a person who received government land to farm and build a home, often through programs like the U.S. Homestead Act of 1862.

An inventor best known for his creation of farm plows for sodbusting
James Oliver
An inventor best known for his creation of farm plows for sodbusting, James Oliver. James Oliver was a significant figure in agricultural history for developing the chilled plow, which improved farming efficiency in tough soil conditions.

An entrepreneur known for promoting the transport of Longhorn cattle
Joseph McCoy
An entrepreneur known for promoting the transport of Longhorn cattle. Joseph McCoy. Joseph McCoy was a key figure in the cattle industry from the 19th century, helping to establish cattle drives and markets in Kansas to connect Texas cattle with northern markets.

Acts of Congress that promoted the construction of the transcontinental railroad
Pacific Railroad Act
Acts of Congress that promoted the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Pacific Railroad Act. The Pacific Railroad Act was a law passed in 1862 that provided government support for building the first transcontinental railroad across the United States.

A Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance to US government policies
Sitting Bull
A Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance to US government policies. Sitting Bull was a Native American chief known for his role in resisting US expansion and for his leadership in the Battle of the Little Bighorn.