Changes on the Western Frontier 1877-1900 Chapter 5

5.1 Cultures Clash on the Prairie Culture of the Plains Indians What were the characteristics of the Plains Indians culture? How did the culture of white settlers differ from that of the Plains Indians? Why did settlers continue to push westward?

5.1 Cultures Clash on the Prairie Government restrict/bloody battles How did the government attempt to deal with the growing conflict between Native Americans and white settlers? Why did the Black Hills become a contested territory between Native Americans and white settlers? What were the consequences of the defeat of General Custer’s forces?

5.1 Cultures Clash on the Prairie Assimilation/Wounded Knee What was the Dawes Act and what goals did it seek to achieve? Why was the destruction of the buffalo so detrimental to the Native American way of life? What were the causes and consequences of the Battle of Wounded Knee?

5.1 Cultures Clash on the Prairie Cattle Becomes Big Business What influence did Spanish ranchers have on the American cowboy? How did the growth on railroads and cities impact the cattle business? Where did the Chisholm Trail run?

5.1 Cultures Clash on the Prairie Cowboy Life/End of Open Range How did the cowboy life differ from the popular conception of it? What was the long drive? What factors helped to bring an end to the open range?

5.1 DQ’s & Notes How did the discovery of gold affect the settlement of the West? What happened at Sand Creek? What were the terms of the Treaty of Fort Laramie? Why did it fail? What happened at the Battle of Little Big Horn? What was the purpose of the Dawes Act? What happened at Wounded Creek?

5.2 Settling the Great Plains Why did settlers move westward to farm? New life, opportunities? Railroads sold land… Homestead Act… Close of frontier – Indian territory – Oklahoma and the Sooners/Boomers…

5.2 Settling the Great Plains How did settlers meet the challenges of the Great Plains? Homes out of land – dugouts and sods… Women worked along side men – women’s roles – yeah right!!! Inventions – John Deere & steel plow, Cyrus McCormick & reaper machine saying “you reap what you sow”, barbed wire, etc.

5.2 Settling the Great Plains Education Morrill Act 1862 – agricultural colleges Hatch Act 1887 – agricultural experiments – farmers up to date about techniques LEAD TO… DEBT$$$ New machines, land, shipping cost…

5.3 Farmers & Populist Movement Farmers Unite to Address Common Problems Foreclosures – mortgage for loans (land, supplies, seed, etc…) Railroads overcharged – no competition. Economics – not enough money in circulation – Greenbacks pulled. Alliances – Grange – inform isolated farmers, fight RR, organize farmers. Farmers Alliance (south & west) educate about loans, gov. control over RR & Banks. Colored Farmers National Alliance.

5.3 Farmers & Populist Movement The Rise and Fall of Populism Platform Increase money supply Increase price for goods & services Graduated income tax Federal loan program U.S. Senator elected by popular vote Single term Pres & V.P. Secret ballot 8 hr. workday

5.3 Farmers & Populist Movement The Rise and Fall of Populism Populist ideas adopted by the Democratic Party. Panic of 1893… Recession led to depression. Businesses closed, lost jobs, Bank run, too much debt, banks closed. Dec 1894 – 1/5 unemployed, farm families suffer.

5.3 Farmers & Populist Movement The Rise and Fall of Populism Silver or Gold – (backed by paper money) Political Issue Republicans – Business owners/bankers Democrats – farmers/laborers “Silverites” favored bimetallism – more money in circulation Paper money backed by gold and silver But…less value per dollar – (hope to get economy going)

5.3 Farmers & Populist Movement The Rise and Fall of Populism “Gold Bugs” – favored Gold standard Expensive, more staple Fewer people with money 1896 Presidential election William McKinley (R) v. William Jennings Bryan (D) End of Populism w/ election of McKinley

5.3 Farmers & Populist Movement The Rise and Fall of Populism Legacy Workers & Poor can organize List reforms 20th Century Progressives