Westward Expansion After 1865

Objectives Explain how the discovery of gold and silver affected the West. Describe life in the western mining towns. Examine how railroads spread and helped the West to develop.

Terms and People vigilante – self-appointed law keeper subsidy – grant of land or money transcontinental railroad – railroad line that spanned the continent

How did mining and railroads draw people to the West? In 1865, the American frontier stretched from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. west Thousands of people moved west, hoping to find a new life.

The California gold rush of 1849 captured the American imagination. Before long, miners were racing into the Sierra Nevada, the Rockies, and the Black Hills, searching for gold.

In 1859, prospectors struck gold at a find that became known as the Comstock Lode. located in Sierra Nevada contained both gold and silver was one of the world’s richest silver mines made Nevada a center of mining

After the Civil War ended, more and more prospectors rushed west After the Civil War ended, more and more prospectors rushed west. New discoveries seemed to be popping up everywhere. Alaska South Dakota Montana Idaho Colorado

With each new find, miners rushed to the site. Others soon followed, bringing supplies and opening stores. Mining camps quickly grew from tent cities to boomtowns.

People from around the world poured into the boomtowns. Nearly half of the miners were foreign-born, from places such as Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and China. Women, too, joined the mining boom, making money by opening restaurants and other businesses.

Few prospectors, however, struck it rich Few prospectors, however, struck it rich. Mining underground was difficult and expensive. Many miners eventually sold their claims to large mining companies. Profits Profits Profits Profits Profits Profits Profits Profits Profits Profits prospectors mining companies

Many boomtowns grew so fast that they had no real government Many boomtowns grew so fast that they had no real government. Vigilantes often imposed their own form of justice. U.S. Territories Colorado Dakota Nevada Arizona Idaho Montana As populations grew, some areas organized into territories subject to U.S. laws.

The mining boom helped create a railroad boom. Before 1860, railroad lines ended at the Mississippi River. To encourage westward expansion, the government gave subsidies to the railroads to build new tracks. west

Many of the new lines led to the boomtowns of the West.

The railroads also began work to fulfill a longtime goal—to build a transcontinental railroad that would stretch from coast to coast. Two railroads won the right to build from opposite directions, eventually meeting in the middle. Central Pacific Union Pacific

The Central Pacific headed east from Sacramento The Central Pacific headed east from Sacramento. The Union Pacific headed west from Omaha.

Bad weather and the rugged terrain made work difficult and dangerous.

It took thousands of workers and many years to complete the job. Laborers came from many countries around the world— including China.

Finally, on May 10, 1869, the two lines met at Promontory, Utah.

The new railroad lines brought even more settlers west. Nevada 1864 Colorado 1876 North Dakota 1889 South Dakota Montana Washington Idaho 1890 Wyoming Several new states were soon carved from the rapidly growing region.