Question

1. according to the fed gov’t, which two obstacles prevented americans from settling the west?
2. what happened to the two obstacles mentioned in question 4?
3. who were responsible for distributing money (from the fed gov’t) to native americans living on reservation lands. did this actually happen?

Explanation:

To answer these questions, we analyze each one based on historical context (related to the Westward expansion and Native American history in the US):

Question 4

When analyzing obstacles to Westward settlement (late 19th - early 20th century), common barriers were:

1. Native American Resistance: Tribes (e.g., Sioux, Cheyenne) fought to protect their lands (e.g., Battle of Little Bighorn, Red Cloud’s War), using guerrilla tactics and treaties to resist encroachment.
2. Geographic/Environmental Challenges: The Great Plains’ harsh climate (droughts, blizzards), lack of water, and difficult terrain (e.g., Rocky Mountains) made farming/transportation hard. Also, the “Great American Desert” myth discouraged settlement initially.

For the two obstacles (from Q4):

1. Native American Resistance: The US government responded with military campaigns (e.g., George Custer’s forces, later “pacification” via cavalry), forced relocations (e.g., Trail of Tears for some tribes, or to reservations), and policies like the Dawes Act (1887) to assimilate and break tribal landholdings.
2. Geographic/Environmental Challenges: Settlers adapted with technology (e.g., barbed wire, steel plows for dry farming), government support (e.g., Homestead Act, railroad subsidies to connect the West), and scientific advances (e.g., crop rotation for arid lands).

Money distribution to Native Americans on reservations was managed by US government agents (Bureau of Indian Affairs, BIA) and often local “Indian agents” (federal employees). However, corruption was rampant: Agents frequently embezzled funds, diverted supplies (food, goods), or delayed payments. This exploitation (e.g., “Indian Ring” scandals) meant money/aid rarely reached Native Americans as intended.

Answer:

Two obstacles were:

• Native American resistance (tribes fighting to retain territory).
• Harsh natural conditions (drought, difficult terrain, limited resources).

Question 5