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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. What invention in the early 1880s helped the homesteaders protect themselves from cattle drives?

2. Kansas was the ___________ state in the union to grant women the right to vote in federal elections.

3. Which of the following was a basic business for a frontier town?

4. General stores also served as _____________.

5. Who was the prohibitionist who introduced legislation to prohibit the sale of alcohol?

Short Essay Questions

1. What types of businesses were lured to towns and how permanent were these new communities?

2. Why was the town of Osawatomie attacked by pro-slavery forces in 1856?

3. In what year did women get the right to vote in federal elections and where did Kansas fall in the progression of states to grant this right?

4. What was meant by a preacher who was a "circuit rider"?

5. Describe the teaching environment in one of the first constructed schoolhouses.

6. What was considered to be one of the worst crimes on the frontier and how were criminals punished?

7. Who was Susannah Medora Salter and for what is she famous?

8. What was the role of the prairie women in regard to education?

9. What role did a hotel or inn play in a frontier town and what were some of the challenges in running such a business?

10. During what years were cowboys prominent on the frontier and why were they first organized?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Name at least three environmental catastrophes that plagued the Kansas homesteaders. Then cite the reasons why each catastrophe was so devastating to the pioneers. If there were any preventative measures employed by the pioneers, state those also in your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of religion on the Kansas prairie. Was there an increase in religious life because just living on the prairie was such a trying experience? What were the primary religions represented on the Kansas frontier?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in frontier life in 19th century Kansas. How were gender roles blurred during this period of time in Kansas? What lessons did women learn about themselves as they carved lives for their families out of the sod and hills of the prairie?

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