1. Why was there so much conflict in the west?
31/03/2017
Why was there so much conflict in the west?
Starter:
The
Hairy
Ward
Wake

2. Tension between Indians and Whites
Due to thousands of whites travelling through the Great Plains on route to California led to conflicts with the Native Americans.
Food was scarce as it was, and when tribes began to attack and raid each other sometimes whites were caught in the middle.
Whites were scared that Indians would attack them (this rarely happened)
Whites held very racist views of Indians (see quote to right).
Tension over food supplies – whites killing buffalo for food, scaring buffalo away with wagons. Oxen eating grass needed for horses and buffalo.
The average Indian of the prairies is a being who does little credit to human nature. As I passed over those magnificent bottoms of Kansas and saw them sitting around the doors of their lodges at the height of the planting season, I could not help saying “These people must die out – there is no help for them. God has given the earth to those who will tame and cultivate it.” Horace Greeley, 1859

3. This map was significant as it created it showed the boundary of their land.
It also dictated the boundaries of each tribes land.
It was not a reservation, but it was a move towards them!

4. Fort Laramie Treaty, 1851 Why was the Fort Laramie Treaty signed?
Problems
What was decided?
What would the consequence of this be?
Why was the Fort Laramie Treaty signed?
Evidence treaty was unsuccessful

5. Fort Laramie Treaty, 1851 Why was the Fort Laramie Treaty signed?
Problems
What was decided?
What would the consequence of this be?
The government wanted each tribe to name one chief to represent them – this did not work for many.
Some tribes chose not to attend – they were only interested in food and gifts.
Government wanted to agree boundaries for each tribe’s land however tribes often shared land e.g. Sioux and Cheyenne.
It was written in English and there weren’t enough translators.
No more fighting between tribes
Allow white migrants to travel through their land
Allow railroads companies to enter their land
Allow roads to be built and army posts to be built on their land
Pay compensation if any tribe broke these rules.
US government would protect Indians from white Americans.
Tribes would be paid $50,000 per year
It marked the beginning of a movement towards reservations.
More whites began to settle on the Great Plains.
Tribes lost their independence by relying on US government money, food and protection.
Tension between Indians and whites result in some violence. Whites demand that US government does something to protect them.
Threat to food supply caused by Gold Rush. Travellers killed buffalo for food. Wagon trails spooked buffalo and made it harder for Indians to hunt them.
Why was the Fort Laramie Treaty signed?
Evidence treaty was unsuccessful
Although Chiefs signed it, each band made its own decisions and could choose not follow it.
Not all Indians realised what they had agreed to (language barriers)
Many tribes did not stick to the terms and continued to fight each other. White migrants trespassed on Indian land.
US army did not always stop this behaviour.
Environmental damage – oxen carrying wagons eat all grass needed for Indian horses and buffalo. Migrants bring cholera and disease into Great Plains.

6. Problems of lawlessness
Before 1840s, the number of migrants in the West was very small and had been able to rely on each other, so crime was minimal.
After Gold rush, California’s population rose from 8,000 to 300,000.
People from all over America and the world travelled to California which caused massive problems for law and order.
Due to California’s population rising so quickly, it was too fast for an official state or federal law system to be introduced – as a result, crime increases.
The west was “lawless” but there were still laws in place. It was simply very difficult to enforce these laws without proper policing and legal systems.

7. What did crime look like in ‘wild west’?
Men gambled and drank strong alcohol which often resulted in bar fights (sometimes over women/prostitutes)
Claim jumping caused tension – if a land claim looked promising, someone might steal it.
What did crime look like in ‘wild west’?
Racism was widespread (20,000 Chinese immigrants came in 1852). Due to many prospectors not finding any gold or work they often blamed foreigners and would rob them/right them. Some formed into gangs to protect themselves.
Prostitution was common – also known as painted ladies or women of the night. Usually women who had lost their husbands or had no money. Aged Could make between $5 and $30 per night.

8. Leads to… Leads to… “Westward Expansion” Solution Racism
Crime and lawlessness
Solution
“Westward Expansion”
Leads to…
Leads to…

9. Homework for Friday –
Complete “Homework Task 2” on problems facing farmers. You will find a scan of the textbook and the task at: caldewhistory.weebly.com
It can be found on the “Mr Johnston’s Homework” page!