| A | B |
|---|
| Great Plains | Land that stretches from the 98th meridian to the Rocky Mountains; flatlands that have been eroded by wind and water, receives very little rain, has frequent dust storms |
| Erode | To wear down or grind down, to wear away |
| Barbed Wire | Thin strand of metal with sharp points attached; used as a fence for large areas |
| Longhorns | Breed of cattle (Spanish and English mix) that could survive harsh conditions on the Great Plains |
| Steel Plow | FARM TOOL used to break up the ground (sod) found on the Great Plains |
| Dry Farming | Farming method planting crops that used less water (ex. red wheat), also to keep part of the land unplowed |
| Sod House | Home made of sod (grass) bricks, used by those living on the Great Plains because there were no trees |
| Windmill | New technology used to pump water from the ground |
| Tanscontinental Railroad | A rail line that connected the east and the west; US government encouraged the building by passing laws |
| Homestead Act | Law that gave 160 acres of land to farmer for a small fee |
| Exoduster | Southern African Americans/ former slaves who went west; called this because of their exodus |
| Battle of Little Big Horn | Worst defeat the U.S. Army suffered in the west; Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse defeated George Armstrong Custer; also called Custer’s Last Stand |
| Masacre at Wounded Knee | Slaughter of Sioux near Wounded Knee Creek; 150 or more Indians were killed; last major event of the Plains Indian wars |
| Reservation | Area of federal land set aside for Native Americans |
| Reaper | machine used to harvest wheat more quickly and use fewer workers |
| Geronimo | A leader of the Apache Located in the southwest, Refused to live on the reservation, kept escaping, Finally captured and sent to Florida |
| Nez Perce | Tribe of Native Americans who lived in the West, Chief Joseph was their leader, Attempted to escape living on a reservation by fleeing to Canada |
| Chief Joseph | Leader of the Nez Perce, Tried to escape with his people to Canada, Famous quote: “…From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.” |
