Unit 6: America Transformed Chapter 19: Growth in the West

Cattle Trails Cattle Trails Where did they start? Where did they start? Which direction did they go? Which direction did they go? Where did they end up? Where did they end up? Why in those towns? Why in those towns? Where did the cattle go from there? Where did the cattle go from there? How would you make a profit? How would you make a profit? Who made this profit? And, how much? Who made this profit? And, how much? How much would the cowboys get? How much would the cowboys get?

Most people see cowboys as heroes Why or why not? Why or why not? What are some qualities of heroes? What are some qualities of heroes? Who are some? Who are some? Any around Barrington? Any around Barrington? Do they get recognized for what they do? Do they get recognized for what they do?

Actually there were very few cowboys living on the frontier (only about 40,000)

This time period only lasted about years (the west became a lot more settled later) A huge invention: barbed wire

In 1859 – gold was discovered at the Comstock Lode And again (like California in 1849), many people wanted to go get rich. And again (like California in 1849), many people wanted to go get rich.

Most people knew things about the West from reading “ dime novels ” These were stories written by easterners – glamorizing the west and “ stretching ” the truth. (and trying to make money by selling books)

Another biggest reason to go west was to be part of the cattle industry One of the early and most famous trails to get west was called the Chisholm Trail One of the early and most famous trails to get west was called the Chisholm Trail It was named for Jesse Chisholm who had built several trading posts in what is now western Oklahoma It was named for Jesse Chisholm who had built several trading posts in what is now western Oklahoma

The Average Cowboy: The Average Cowboy: Early 20 ’ s. Early 20 ’ s. Most were Southerners – who had nothing to do after fighting in the Civil War. Most were Southerners – who had nothing to do after fighting in the Civil War. 1/7 were Black. 1/7 were Black. 1/7 were Mexican. 1/7 were Mexican. Lived very private lives (didn ’ t even know each others last names sometimes). Lived very private lives (didn ’ t even know each others last names sometimes). Today would just be called “ ranchers. ” Today would just be called “ ranchers. ”

Cowboys were not In gunfights at noon in the center of town In gunfights at noon in the center of town In huge saloon brawls In huge saloon brawls Always shooting at each other Always shooting at each other Involved in lots of Cowboy/Indian fights Involved in lots of Cowboy/Indian fights Involved in lots of bank hold-ups and train robberies Involved in lots of bank hold-ups and train robberies Women Women Having great times all the time– they worked very hard most of the time Having great times all the time– they worked very hard most of the time

Some other words that have to do with the west in the late 1800 ’ s Sod busters Sod busters Grain elevator Grain elevator Long drive Long drive Round up Round up Cow town Cow town Homesteads Homesteads

Some general vocabulary Words Sod busters: the first farmers who plowed up the prairie sod in the west Sod busters: the first farmers who plowed up the prairie sod in the west Grain elevator: building for storing grain Grain elevator: building for storing grain Long drive: trip of cattle from the range to the railroad lines Long drive: trip of cattle from the range to the railroad lines Round up: bringing the cattle together for the long drive Round up: bringing the cattle together for the long drive Cow town: small railroad towns cattle were driven to (busy once a year, but otherwise dull places) Cow town: small railroad towns cattle were driven to (busy once a year, but otherwise dull places) Homesteads: land to settle on and farm Homesteads: land to settle on and farm