North American Geography and the Frontier Flashcards

What did people in the 1800s mean by "the frontier"?

The moving edge of US settlement, where settled land met the west.

Where are the Great Plains in North America?

A huge grassland between the Mississippi-Missouri rivers and the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to Texas.

Why did some early travellers call the Plains the "Great American Desert"?

Because there was little rain, few trees, and wide open grassland.

How much rain does much of the Great Plains get each year?

Often less than about 500 millimetres.

What is a prairie?

A large area of flat or gently rolling grassland with few trees.

How did the Rocky Mountains affect travel west?

They formed a high barrier. Most trails crossed at easy passes like South Pass in present-day Wyoming.

What is the 100th meridian and why is it important?

A line near 100 degrees west. Rainfall drops west of it, so the land is much drier.

Which major river system helped people move towards the frontier?

The Mississippi-Missouri river system.

Where were most trees found on the Great Plains?

Along rivers and streams, not across the open prairie.

Name two common weather hazards on the Great Plains.

Droughts and blizzards.

How did the Plains’ soil affect early farming?

Tough grass roots made thick sod, so ploughing was hard.

Why did strong winds matter on the Great Plains?

They dried the land, blew dust, and helped prairie fires spread fast.

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