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Elbow Room Worksheet

1. (1 pt.) According to this video, and as the title suggests, why did people move to the West?

2. (1pt.) The lyrics state that “There were plenty of fights to win land rights” in the West, but it does not say exactly who was doing the fighting. However, the video does give us a clue. Who were the fights between, and which group is supposed to be perceived as good, and which group is supposed to be bad?

3. (1 pt.) What is the meaning of the following lyrics: “But the west was meant to be; it was our Manifest Destiny!”

4. (1 pt.) “Elbow Room” tells us that the “Gold Rush trampled down the wilderness.” This suggests that the West (or at least California) was an untamed and unpopulated place before the arrival of whites. Evaluate whether this is true or false and explain why you chose the answer you did!

5. (1 pt.) How accurate is “Elbow Rooms” portrayal of the settling of the American West? Explain your answer!