Changes on the Western Frontier

Native American Cultures in Crisis By 1700 almost all of the tribes on the Great Plains abandoned farming villages to roam and hunt for buffalo.

What did the Indians use buffalo for? Hides – Tepees Skins – Clothing, blankets and shoes Meat – Food Bones and Horns – tools and toys

Native American Family Life Men – hunters and warriors Women – acted as butchers, took care of the children Land – held for the common use of the tribe

Settlers Push Westward Culture of Whites – “Personal Property” Settlers were going west to claim lands Farming – excellent on the Plains

Homestead Act Congress would offer 160 acres of land free to anyone who would farm and settle in the Great Plains – 1900 – Between 400,000 and 600,000 families took advantage of this offer. Exodusters – African Americans who moved from the poor reconstruction South to Kansas

Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 Government gave money to build a Railroad from Sacramento to Omaha. Covered Wagons Railroads Trains traveled 50 m.p.h.

The Government Restricts Native Americans 1834 – The Federal Gov had passed an act that designated the entire Plains area to the Native Americans. The government changed its policies because of all the settlers moving west. Despite several treaties that were signed, the whites broke their promises.

Gold Rush – Black Hills S.D Land of the Sioux and Cheyenne George Custer – reported that there was gold. The Rush is on! The U.S. wants to purchase the land fro the Sioux. They refused to sell their sacred lands.

Custer’s Last Stand Lieutenant Colonel Custer and his troops reached the Little Big Horn River (1876). The natives were ready for him. Led By Crazy Horse, the Indians killed Custer and all his men in 20 minutes.

The Government Supports Assimilation Assimilation – Native Americans were expected to give up their beliefs and way of life and become part of the white culture.

Dawes Act (1887) Governments official policy was to “Americanize” the natives by cultivating in them the desire to own land and to farm. Education was provided – promoted the values of white civilization. Tragic Problem – Young Natives are caught between cultures

The Destruction of the Buffalo Whites start to hunt buffalo Destroyed the Plains Indians main source of food, clothing, shelter, and fuel ,000, less than 600

The Battle of Wounded Knee (1890) Ghost Dance – was a movement by Native Americans to attempt to regain their former way of life. Custer’s old division rounded up 350 Sioux and to them to camp Wounded Knee. They slaughter all of the Indians. This brought the Indian Wars to a bitter end.

The Growth of the Cattle Industry Buffalo are depleted – horses & cattle flourish. Big Business – Spanish introduced horses to North America. Mexico influences the American cowboy, taught Americans how to manage large herds, round them up, brand and care for them.

The Importance of the Railroad Despite the plentiful herds of cattle in Texas, cowboys were not in great demand until the railroad reached the Plains. After the Civil War, the demand for beef increased in the cities.

The Truth About Cowboys Worked 10 – 14 hour days, young, worked hard Just as quickly as cattle herds multiplied, and ranching had become big business, the cattle frontier came to an end.

Reasons for the end of the cattle frontier Railroad Barbed Wire – brought about the end of the open frontier Overgrazing

Farmers and the Populist Movement Late 1800’s – many farmers were trapped in a vicious economic cycle. Falling prices of crops = farmers mortgaging their farms so they could buy more land to produce more crops to break even.

Deflation took place after the Civil War Amount of money in circulation decreased and the value of every dollar increased. This is good for consumers and bad for farmers.

The Grange The Grange was an organization for farmers to provide a social outlet and an educational forum for isolated families. The Grange gave way to other farm organizations that would help the farmers’ cause.

The Rise of Populism The Populist party was founded by farmers. Demands – to lift the burden of debt from farmers and other workers. In 1892 the Populist candidate won more than 1 million votes. This was almost 10% of the total popular votes.

The Panic of 1893 Economy – grew to fast – farmers and business people over extended. Railroads went bankrupted Stock Market collapsed Investments declined Purchases and Prices fell

The Panic of 1893 By 1894 – 1/5 of the workforce was unemployed 1896 – Two major political parties deeply divided in a struggle between different regions and economic interests.

The Political Parties Republicans – Businesses and Bankers Region – Northeast Democrats – Farmers and Laborers Region – South and West

The Election of 1896 McKinley – Republican – Conservative Wealthy William Jennings Bryan – Nominated for the Democratic Ticket McKinley won the Election

Significance of the 1896 Election It left behind two powerful legacies 3 rd parties could organize and make a powerful impact There was an agenda for reforms which would impact the 20 th century.