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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Occasional skirmishes perpetuated the myth of the Native Americans as ________________.

2. What lured people from the east to head to Kansas to settle?

3. The western plains Indians were usually _______________.

4. With what did the settlers beat back fires from their houses?

5. What was known to batter crops during the summer months?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what the pioneers would do on their favorite holiday.

2. What was the pioneer family's priority after establishing its homestead?

3. Prior to the mid 19th century, as what was Kansas known and what happened in 1854 to change that?

4. What natural threats were ever present for prairie families?

5. Explain "water witching."

6. Name the benefits and drawbacks of homesteading in eastern Kansas and western Kansas.

7. In addition to fires, what other natural disasters did the homesteaders need to fend off?

8. What was the priority of the homesteaders upon arriving at their land?

9. Explain the use of cow and buffalo dung on the prairie.

10. What were the two major government initiatives that forced Native Americans out of Kansas and where did they go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the process of creating a new garment on the Kansas frontier. What role did buffalo and other animal skins play in pioneer clothing? Who was primarily responsible for the family's clothing? What was the method of cleaning clothes?

Essay Topic 2

Name the three most popular types of homes built by the Kansas homesteaders. What were the determining factors in choosing the type of home to build? What were the disadvantages and advantages of each type?

Essay Topic 3

Explain why the accounts of the Kansas pioneer women had been overlooked for so many years. What value do they have for historians and students today? What value will you take away from this literary experience? Explain.

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