CH 26 The Wild West

Reservations Indian Tribes in the West were forced onto the plains like Eastern tribes were 50 years ago. Reservations were poorly maintained by the government. Officials were easily corrupted.

Turner Thesis Frederick Jackson Turner- Major historian. Turner argues that America has been so successful due to the open land of the continent. “Manifest Destiny” How can America expand now?

Conflict with the US The US. forced these tribes onto the reservations by using soldiers. Little Bighorn(1876)- William Custer’s Army killed in battle. Chief Joseph(1877)- Nez Perce leader quits

Other Things to Know Battle of Wounded Knee Dawes Severalty Act of 1887

Mining Towns Once the West is settled, the mining industry explodes. Gold, Silver and nonmetal materials(iron ore)

Cattle Drives Beef needed the railroad in order to be successful. Cattlemen could ship their herds to places like Chicago. The heyday of Cowboys

Western Expansion The 1890 U.S. census determined that the Western Frontier was officially closed. A frontier mentality was important for American’s as a symbol. By 1880, The West had the highest density of City- Dwellers

Big Farming After the end of the Civil War, farmers embraced cash crops on a larger scale. Mechanized farming equipment helped farmers grow and harvest in large quantities.

Deflation The dependency on one crop farming led to financial troubles. With deflation, the price for crops goes down. That means lower profits. This issue faces farmers in the 1880’s and 90’s

Farmer’s Organize The Grange- 1867, Started by Oliver Kelley. Wanted to improve the farmers’ lives. Helped enact economic legislation Populism- People’s Party. Wanted a graduated income-tax, government loans to help control prices of crops, and free coinage of silver

Coxey and Pullman Coxey’s Army- Group led by Jacob Coxey to protest the issues of the 1893 depression. Wanted a public works program Pullman strike: Railroad workers strike. Federal Troops used to crush the strike.

Election of 1896 The future of BIG BUSINESS is the biggest issue of this election. Would it favor the Robber Baron or the common man? William Jennings Bryan- Dem., Populist and Pro-silver. William Mckinley- Rep. Big Business

A Cross of Silver William Jennings Bryan supported the free coinage of silver. Silver increases inflation and makes debt easier to pay off.

William McKinley Elected in 1896 Supported of Big Business Gold Standard Act- 1900, All money must be back up with the same amount of gold