Changes on the Western Frontier Chapter 5 Notes

Chapter Overview In the late 1800’s, a growing number of white settlers move to the west, and Native Americans lose their lands. Railroads cross the nation and both the cattle kingdom and Populism rise and fall. In the late 1800’s, a growing number of white settlers move to the west, and Native Americans lose their lands. Railroads cross the nation and both the cattle kingdom and Populism rise and fall.

Misunderstanding… What did Westerners know about people in the East? What did Westerners know about people in the East? What did Easterners know about people in the West? What did Easterners know about people in the West?

Great Plains Grassland extending through the west-central portion of the U.S. Grassland extending through the west-central portion of the U.S. Who occupied the Great Plains? Who occupied the Great Plains?

Great Plains More developed than Easterners thought More developed than Easterners thought -Hunt-Gather -Villages -Plant crops -Tribal law (Counsel)-Spiritual systems -Trade-Crafts & Tools -Use of Buffalo -Guns and Horses (Mobility)

Conflict… Different beliefs about LAND Different beliefs about LAND Great Plains = Unsettled land Great Plains = Unsettled land 1858—Discovery of Gold 1858—Discovery of Gold in Colorado drew thousands of miners –Boomtowns

Conflict… 1850’s Government began to define specific boundaries for each tribe 1850’s Government began to define specific boundaries for each tribe 1864—Massacre at Sand Creek 1864—Massacre at Sand Creek –Cheyenne returned to Sand Creek, CO for winter –U.S. troops attacked, killing 150, mostly women and children

Conflict… Bozeman Trail Bozeman Trail –Ran through Sioux hunting ground –U.S. troops attacked by Crazy Horse –U.S. agreed to close trail Treaty of Ft. Laramie (1868) Treaty of Ft. Laramie (1868) –Sioux forced to live on a reservation

Conflict… 1874—George A. Custer…”Black Hills have Gold!” 1874—George A. Custer…”Black Hills have Gold!” Gold rush invaded Sioux land Gold rush invaded Sioux land Custer’s Last Stand, Little Big Horn River Custer’s Last Stand, Little Big Horn River –Sioux attacked, within hours, Custer and all his men were dead 1876—Sioux were beaten and went to Canada 1876—Sioux were beaten and went to Canada

Conflict… Natives resisted forced treaties Natives resisted forced treaties –“[We] have been taught to hunt and live on the game. You tell us that we must learn to farm, live in one house, and take on your ways. Suppose the people living beyond the great sea should come and tell you that you must stop farming, and kill your cattle, and take your houses and lands, what would you do? Would you not fight them?”  Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

Americanization… Assimilation—Indians give up their beliefs and way of life to become part of white culture Assimilation—Indians give up their beliefs and way of life to become part of white culture Dawes Act (1887) Dawes Act (1887) –Broke up reservations, gave land to individual –160 acres to each head of household –80 acres to unmarried adults –Remaining land went to settlers –Income to Native Americans for farming –Result?

Americanization… Battle at Wounded Knee (1890) Battle at Wounded Knee (1890) –Result of Ghost Dance Movement –U.S. officials alarmed, order Sitting Bull to be arrested/killed –Took Sioux to Wounded Knee camp and demanded all their weapons –Within minutes 300 unarmed Native Americans were killed  **Brought Indian Wars to an end**

Americanization… Ranching became part of the Great Plains Ranching became part of the Great Plains Learned from Mexican neighbors Learned from Mexican neighbors “Vaquero” = “Cowboy” “Vaquero” = “Cowboy” As cities developed need for beef grew As cities developed need for beef grew Chisholm Trail—Major cattle route from San Antonio, TX to Kansas Chisholm Trail—Major cattle route from San Antonio, TX to Kansas –Shipping yards where trails and railroads come together

Heyday of Cowboy 55,000 cowboys worked the plains ( ) Hour days As young as 15, retired by 40 Cattle had to be rounded up, branded and sent out on the long drive – –1 cowboy for every head of cattle – –In the saddle from dawn until dusk – –Slept on the ground & bathed in the river – –Constant fear of a stampede

End of the Open Range Due to… Due to… –Overgrazing of land –Extended bad weather –Invention of barbed wire

Settling on the Great Plains RAILROAD RAILROAD – , Government gave land grants for 170 million acres of Railroad in the West –1869, First Transcontinental Railroad LAND LAND –Homestead Act (1862): 160 Acres to any citizen/intended citizen who is head of household

Settling on the Great Plains “Sooner State”… “Sooner State”… –1889—Land give away in Oklahoma –One day, 2 million acres

Settling on the Great Plains Virtually alone; self-sufficient Virtually alone; self-sufficient Technological advances in farming Technological advances in farming –1837—John Deere invented steel plow –1847—Cyrus McCormick invented Reaping Machine –Barbed wire, grain drill, corn binder, etc…

Settling on the Great Plains Agricultural Education Agricultural Education –Morrill Act—finance agricultural colleges –Hatch Act—agricultural experiment stations Hard times for farmers Hard times for farmers –Excessive shipping and storage prices –Deflation in crop prices –Good farm land scarce

Settling on the Great Plains Economic disaster Economic disaster –Greenbacks—couldn’t be exchanged because worth less than hard money –Began taking out of circulation causing farmer’s loans to be worth more The Grange The Grange –Oliver Hudson Kelley (1867) –Farmer’s alliance

Westward Migration PUSH FACTORS Joblessness after Civil War Costly farm land Business failures Religious repression PULL FACTORS Railroad land grants Morrill Land Grant Homestead Act Private property rights Discovery of Gold

The Rise and Fall of Populism The movement of the People The movement of the People 1892, Populist Party Platform 1892, Populist Party Platform –Lift debt from farmers –Give people greater voice in government –Increase money supply –Federal loan program –Etc…

The Rise and Fall of Populism Panic of 1893—Railroads went bankrupt Panic of 1893—Railroads went bankrupt –People panicked and traded paper money for gold –Stock Market crashed –15,000 businesses & 500 banks collapsed

The Rise and Fall of Populism Election of 1896 Election of 1896 –Central issue, silver or gold? –Democrats—Silverites, supported bimetallism  Money worth less, but more of it  William Jennings Bryan (Populist) –Republicans—Gold Bugs, supported gold standard  Stable, but expensive  William McKinley

The Rise and Fall of Populism William Jennings Bryan was defeated William Jennings Bryan was defeated End of Populist party End of Populist party