Topic study hub
AA America, 1840-1895: Expansion and consolidation
Study the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of expansion and consolidation, including ideas, individuals, groups and impacts.
9
Objectives
45
Flashcards
45
Questions
90 min
Study time
AQAGCSEHistoryPaper 1 Section A: Period studies
Choose a revision tool
Start revising AA America, 1840-1895: Expansion and consolidation
Syllabus checklist
What you need to know
9 objective pages available
Part one: Expansion: opportunities and challenges3 objectives
- Study the geography of North America, attitudes to the Great American Desert and the belief in Manifest Destiny.
- Study why early settlers went west and the challenges faced by Brigham Young, the Mormons, pioneer migrant farmers, the journey west and miners.
- Study Plains Indians' way of life, early American Government policy towards the Plains Indians, the Permanent Indian Frontier and changing relationships with Plains Indians.
Part two: Conflict across America3 objectives
- Study increasing conflict on the Plains, including the Fort Laramie Treaty 1851, concentration policy, the Indian Wars 1862-1867, Sand Creek Massacre and Fetterman's Trap.
- Study the background to the American Civil War, including North-South differences, slavery, westward expansion, free states, abolitionism, Missouri Compromise, John Brown, Lincoln, Jefferson Davis and civilian impacts.
- Study coming to terms with the Mormons, including the Mountain Meadow Massacre and its aftermath.
Part three: Consolidation: forging the nation3 objectives
- Study the aftermath of the American Civil War, including the 13th Amendment, Civil Rights Act, reconstruction in the South, carpetbaggers and the balance of Federal and State powers.
- Study continued western settlement, including Homesteaders, reasons for going west, government actions and laws, land, railroads, farming problems and solutions.
- Study the resolution of the Indian problem after 1865, including small reservations, attitudes to Native Americans, Little Big Horn, Dawes Act, Wounded Knee and closure of the frontier.
Key terms
Manifest DestinyNorth AmericaMormonsPlains IndiansPermanent Indian FrontierFort Laramie TreatyIndian WarsAmerican Civil WarMountain Meadow MassacreReconstruction13th AmendmentHomesteaders
Exam tips
- Exam focus: Manifest Destiny: Support each point about Manifest Destiny with precise historical evidence.
- Exam focus: Mormons: Support each point about Mormons with precise historical evidence.
Common mistakes
- Avoid confusing Manifest Destiny: Anchor the answer to Part one: Expansion: opportunities and challenges, use precise evidence, and state whether Manifest Destiny is a cause, consequence, change, continuity or significant development.
- Avoid confusing Mormons: Anchor the answer to Part one: Expansion: opportunities and challenges, use precise evidence, and state whether Mormons is a cause, consequence, change, continuity or significant development.
Practice preview
Continue by objective
Objectives are grouped by subtopic so students can jump straight to the exact skill they want to revise.