MIDDLE WEST REGION OF AMERICA—STUDY GUIDE
How are the interior plains of the Midwest separated?
The plains are separated in the central plains (east) and the
great plains (west).
How can the plains be described?
The plains are flat grasslands used for farming and grazing.
How are the central and great plains different?
Central plains are at lower elevation, have lakes, iron ore, and are
part of “corn belt.”
Great plains are at higher elevation, have few trees, vast
grasslands, and primarily wheat.
What are physical features of the Midwest region?
Plains, rolling hills, rivers (Mississippi river network), and
lakes (4 of Great Lakes).
What are the three main belts of the Midwest region?
Corn belt, Wheat belt, and Dairy belt
Why do temperatures in the Midwest reach extreme
highs and low?
The Midwest is far inland and there are no ocean breezes.
What is lake effect snow?
When cold air from Canada meets damp air over the Great
Lakes.
What are products of the Midwest?
Corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, milk/dairy, beef, steel
Why is crop rotation used in the Midwest?
To prevent soil erosion and loss of nutrients in soil.
Soybeans and corn are alternated because soybeans put
nutrients back into the ground.
What are natural resources of the Midwest?
Fertile soil, water, forests, natural gas, iron ore, coal, prairies
Describe the major industry that began in Detroit.
Automobile industry started by Henry Ford in 1908. He
introduced the assembly line that aided in production and
lessened costs.
What are attractions and memorials of the Midwest?
The Gateway Arch, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial,
Wrigley Field.
Which Native American groups settled the area?
Plains Indians (mobile society, teepees, buffalo) and Eastern
Woodland Indians (permanent villages, farming)
Describe the French and European American settlers of
the Midwest.
French settlers (animal furs and trading posts), European
American (Lewis and Clark, migration west, land sold for
one dollar an acre).
What problems did early setters of the Midwest have?
Plains (loss of buffalo), Eastern Woodland (warfare), French
(unfamiliarity with land), European American (lack of
resources and hostile Indians)
How have farming tools changed from the 1800’s to the
present?
What was farm life like in the 1800’s and 1900’s?
How did cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit grow
to be the major cities they are today?
Axes, oxen and plow, scythe, flail (1800s), reaper and
combine (1900s), tractors and milking machines (now).
Gloomy cabins with disease and hardships (1800s), sod or
lumber homes for the rich, everybody in the family worked
and had certain chores, canning (1900s),
Started as trading posts, good access to supplies,
waterways and ports, good transportation for shipping.
This test is scheduled for January 10.
The state/capital assessment for this region will be on January 7. The following states are in the Midwest Region:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota,
Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa.