1. Changes on the Western Frontier
The culture of the Plains Indians declines as white settlers transform the Great Plains. Meanwhile, farmers form the Populist movement to address their economic concerns.

2. Changes on the Western Frontier
SECTION Cultures Clash on the Prairie
SECTION Settling on the Great Plains
SECTION Farmers and the Populist Movement

3. Cultures Clash on the Prairie
Section-1
Cultures Clash on the Prairie
The cattle industry booms in the late 1800s, as the culture of the Plains Indians declines.

4. Cultures Clash on the Prairie
Section-1
Cultures Clash on the Prairie
The Culture of the Plains Indians
Life on the Plains
Great Plains—grasslands in west-central portion of the U.S.
East: hunting, farming villages; west: nomadic hunting, gathering
The Horse and the Buffalo
Horses & guns lead most Plains tribes to nomadic life by mid-1700s
Trespassing others’ hunting lands causes war; count coup for status
Counting coup meant touching a live enemy with a coup stick and escaping unharmed
Buffalo provides many basic needs:
— skull of buffalo was considered sacred & used in many rituals
— meat used for jerky, pemmican (buffalo mixed with berries & fat)
Continued…

5. The Culture of the Plains Indians {continued}
Section-1
The Culture of the Plains Indians {continued}
Family Life
Form family groups with ties to other bands that speak same language
Men are hunters, warriors; women butcher meat, prepare hides
Believe in powerful spirits that control natural world
— men or women can become shamans
-Shamans were medicine men or women
Children learn through myths, stories, games, example
Communal life; leaders rule by counsel

6. Settlers Push Westward
Section-1
Settlers Push Westward
Clash of Cultures
Native Americans: land cannot be owned because land is sacred; settlers: want to own land
Settlers think natives forfeited land because did not improve it
Since consider land unsettled, migrants go west to claim it
The Lure of Silver and Gold
1858 discovery of gold in Colorado draws tens of thousands
Mining camps, tiny frontier towns have filthy, ramshackle dwellings
Fortune seekers of different cultures, races; mostly men

7. The Government Restricts Native Americans
Section-1
The Government Restricts Native Americans
Railroads Influence Government Policy
1834, government designates Great Plains as one huge reservation
1850s, treaties define specific boundaries for each tribe
Massacre at Sand Creek
Troops kill over 150 Cheyenne, Arapaho at Sand Creek winter camp
Mostly women and children were killed
They had believed they were safe because they were on the reserve at Colorado’s Sand Creek
The attack was tragic.
Continued…

8. The Government Restricts Native Americans {continued}
Section-1
The Government Restricts Native Americans {continued}
Death on the Bozeman Trail
Bozeman Trail crosses Sioux hunting grounds
This led to the Native Americans attacking & killing over 80 soldiers
The fighting continued until the government issued a treaty.
Treaty of Fort Laramie—U.S. closes trail; Sioux confined to a reservation
Sitting Bull, leader of Hunkpapa Sioux, does not sign treaty
The Native Americans believed they could still hunt on their traditional hunting area, so the fighting continued.

9. Bloody Battles Continue
Section-1
Bloody Battles Continue
Red River War
1868, Kiowa, Comanche engage in 6 years of raiding
1874–1875, U. S. Army crushes resistance on Plains in Red River War
Gold Rush
1874 George A. Custer reports much gold in Black Hills,(South Dakota) rush begins
Custer’s Last Stand
1876, Sitting Bull has vision of war coming, so the Native Americans were ready
Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Gall crush Colonel George Custer’s troops
By late 1876, Sioux are defeated; some take refuge in Canada
— people starving; Sitting Bull surrenders 1881
--Later Sitting Bull joined Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show

11. The Government Supports Assimilation
Section-1
The Government Supports Assimilation
The Dawes Act
1881, Helen Hunt Jackson exposes problems in a book called A Century of Dishonor
The book exposes the government’s broken promises to the Native Americans
Assimilation—Native Americans were told to give up their way of life, join white culture
1887, Dawes Act to “Americanize” natives, break up reservations
— gives land to individual Native Americans
(160 acres to each head of household & 80 acres to unmarried adult Native Americans)
— sell remainder of land to white settlers
— money for farm implements for natives
In the end, Natives Americans receive only 1/3 of land, no money
Continued…

12. The Government Supports Assimilation {continued}
Section-1
The Government Supports Assimilation {continued}
The Destruction of the Buffalo
Destruction of buffalo most significant blow to tribal life
Tourists, fur traders shoot for sport, destroy buffalo population
In 1865, 65 million buffalo roamed the plains;
By 1890, less than 1000 buffalo were living
They were almost hunted to extinction

13. The Battle of Wounded Knee
Section-1
The Battle of Wounded Knee
Wounded Knee
Ghost Dance—ritual to regain lost lands
— The Ghost Dance spreads among Sioux on Dakota reservations
Dec. 1890, Sitting Bull is killed when police try to arrest him
Sitting Bull’s Body Guard, Catch-the-Bear shot one of the police.
Seventh Cavalry takes about 350 starving and freezing Sioux to Wounded Knee Creek
They were forced to give up all weapons
Battle of Wounded Knee—cavalry killed 300 unarmed Native Americans
Battle ends Indian wars, Sioux dream of regaining old life

14. Cattle Become Big Business
Section-1
Cattle Become Big Business
Vaqueros and Cowboys
American settlers learn to manage large herds from Mexican vaqueros
— adopt way of life, clothing, vocabulary
Texas longhorns—sturdy, short-tempered breeds brought by Spanish
Cowboys learned how to be cowboys from the Mexicans.
Growing Demand for Beef
After Civil War demand for meat increases in rapidly growing cities
Continued…

15. Cattle Become Big Business {continued}
Section-1
Cattle Become Big Business {continued}
The Cow Town
Cattlemen establish shipping yards where trails and rail lines meet
Chisholm Trail becomes major cattle route from San Antonio, Texas to Kansas

16. A Day in the Life of a Cowboy
Section-1
A Day in the Life of a Cowboy
A Day’s Work
1866–1885, up to 55,000 cowboys on plains
— 25% African American, 12% Mexican
Cowboy works 10–14 hours on ranch; 14 or more on trail
Expert rider, roper; alert for dangers that may harm, upset cattle
Roundup
During spring roundup, longhorns found, herded into corral
Separate cattle marked with own ranch’s brand; brand calves
Continued…

17. A Day in the Life of a Cowboy {continued}
Section-1
A Day in the Life of a Cowboy {continued}
The Long Drive
Herding of animals or long drive lasts about 3 months
Cowboy in saddle dawn to dusk; sleeps on ground; bathes in rivers
Legends of the West
Celebrities like “Wild Bill” Hickok, Calamity Jane never really handled cows
Wild Bill Hickok was killed while holding a pair of aces and a pair of eights in a poker game
This hand is still known as the dead man’s hand
Calamity Jane was a sharp shooter

18. The End of the Open Range
Section-1
The End of the Open Range
Changes in Ranching
Overgrazing, bad weather from 1883 to 1887 destroy whole herds
Ranchers keep smaller herds that yield more meat per animal
Fence land with barbed wire; turn open range into separate ranches
What ended the open range?
1. Overgrazing
2. Bad Weather
3. Invention of barbed wire

19. Describe the Great Plains. Describe counting coup.
Section 1 Review
Describe the Great Plains.
Describe counting coup.
Which part of the buffalo was considered sacred & used in many rituals?
What is pemmican?
Describe the different jobs of men & women.
Who were shamans?
How did Native Americans & settlers disagree over land?
Where was gold discovered in 1858 drawing tens of thousands of people?
What event occurred when troops killed over 150 Cheyenne, Arapaho at Sand Creek winter camp? Mostly women and children were killed.
Which treaty closed the Bozeman trail & confined the Sioux to the Reservation?

20. 11. Which 3 Native American warriors defeated George A
11. Which 3 Native American warriors defeated George A. Custer at Custer’s Last Stand?
12. Which Sioux leader later joins Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show?
13. What problem does Helen Hunt’s book, A Century of Dishonor, expose?
14. What is assimilation?
15. Identify the Dawes Act.
16. Explain what happened to the buffalo on the Great Plains.
17. What is the Ghost Dance?
18. Describe the Battle of Wounded Knee.
19. Who were the Mexican cowboys?
20. Describe the Longhorn.
21. What was the major cattle route from San Antonio, Texas to Kansas?
22. Describe the life of a cowboy.
What hand was Wild Bill Hickok holding when he died?
List 3 things that ended the open range.

21. Settling on the Great Plains
Section-2
Settling on the Great Plains
Settlers on the Great Plains transform the land despite great hardships.

22. 1850–1871, huge land grants to railroads for laying track in West
Section-2
Settling on the Great Plains
Settlers Move Westward to Farm
Railroads Open the West
1850–1871, huge land grants to railroads for laying track in West
1860s, Central Pacific goes east, Union Pacific west, meet in Utah
By 1880s, 5 transcontinental railroads completed
Railroads sell land to farmers, attract many European immigrants
Continued…

23. 1872, Yellowstone National Park created to protect some wilderness
Section-2
Government Support for Settlement
1862 Homestead Act offers 160 acres free to any head of household
— 1862–1900, up to 600,000 families settle
Exodusters—Southern African-American settlers in Kansas
Railroad, state agents, speculators profit; Only 10% of land went to the families
Government strengthens Homestead act, passes new legislation for settlers
The Closing of the Frontier
1872, Yellowstone National Park created to protect some wilderness
1890s, no frontier left; No chance for Americans to build a life as the frontier was now closed.

24. Settlers Meet the Challenges of the Plains
Section-2
Settlers Meet the Challenges of the Plains
Dugouts and Soddies
Few trees, so many settlers dig homes into sides of hills These were called Dugouts.
On the Great Plains, they make a soddy or sod home by stacking blocks of turf
Women’s Work
Homesteaders virtually alone, must be self-sufficient
Women do men’s work—plowing, harvesting, shearing sheep
Do traditional work—carding wool, making soap, canning vegetables
Work for communities—sponsor schools, churches
Continued…

25. Settlers Meet the Challenges of the Plains {continued}
Section-2
Settlers Meet the Challenges of the Plains {continued}
Technical Support for Farmers
Mass market for farm machines develops with migration to plains
Steel plow
The Reaper
Wind Mill
Agricultural Education
Morrill Act of 1862 & 1890 finances agricultural colleges like Auburn University.
1887 Hatch Act creates agricultural experiment stations
Farmers in Debt
Railroads, investors create bonanza farms— huge, single-crop spreads
1885–1890 droughts bankrupt single-crop operations
Rising cost of shipping grain pushes farmers into debt

26. Sec. 2 Review
In the 1860’s which railroad company goes east; which railroad company goes west meeting in Utah?
Describe the Homestead Act.
Who were the exodusters?
Which national park was created to protect some wilderness?
When did the frontier close?
Describe the homes of some settlers on the Great Plains.
Describe all the work women do as new settlers.
List 3 technological advances in farming on the Great Plains.
Describe the Morrill Act.
What is a bonanza farm?

27. Farmers and the Populist Movement
Section-3
Farmers and the Populist Movement
Farmers unite to address their economic problems, giving rise to the Populist movement.

28. Farmers and the Populist Movement
Section-3
Farmers and the Populist Movement
Farmers Unite to Address Common Problems
Economic Distress
Farmers buy more land to grow more crops to pay off debts
After Civil War, government takes greenbacks out of circulation
Greenbacks are printed money not backed by gold or silver.
Debtors have to pay loans in dollars worth more than those borrowed
Prices of crops fall dramatically
1870s, debtors push government to put more money in circulation
1878 Bland-Allison Act—money supply increase not enough for farmers pg 232.
Continued…

29. Farmers Unite to Address Common Problems {continued}
Section-3
Farmers Unite to Address Common Problems {continued}
Problems with the Railroads
Lack of competition lets railroads overcharge the farmers to transport grain
Farms mortgaged to buy supplies; suppliers charge high interest
The Farmers’ Alliances
1867, Oliver Hudson Kelley starts Patrons of Husbandry or the Grange
Purpose is educational- to help farmers; by 1870s, Grange fighting railroads
Farmers’ Alliances—groups of farmers and sympathizers
— lectures on interest rates, government control of railroads, banks
— gain over 4 million members

30. The Populist Party Platform
Section-3
The Rise and Fall of Populism
The Populist Party Platform
Populism—movement of the people; Populist Party wants reforms
Economic: increase money supply, graduated income tax, federal loans
Political: Senate elected by popular vote; secret ballot; 8-hour day
1892, Populist candidates elected at different levels of government
— Democratic Party eventually adopts platform
Continued…

31. Railroads expand faster than markets; some go bankrupt
Section-3
The Rise and Fall of Populism {continued}
The Panic of 1893
Railroads expand faster than markets; some go bankrupt
Government’s gold supply depleted, leads to rush on banks
— businesses, banks collapse
— panic becomes depression
Continued…

32. Political divisions also regional:
Section-3
The Rise and Fall of Populism {continued}
Silver or Gold
Political divisions also regional:
— Republicans: Northeast business owners, bankers
— Democrats: Southern, Western farmers, laborers
Bimetallism—system using both silver and gold to back currency
Gold standard—backing currency with gold only
Paper money considered worthless if cannot be exchanged for metal
Silverites: bimetalism
Gold bugs: gold only
Continued…

33. McKinley elected president; Populism collapses; leaves legacy:
Section-3
The Rise and Fall of Populism {continued}
Bryan and the “Cross of Gold”
1896, Republicans commit to gold, select William McKinley for president
Democrats favor bimetallism, choose William Jennings Bryan for president
Populists endorse Bryan, choose own VP to maintain party identity
The End of Populism
McKinley elected president; Populism collapses; leaves legacy:
— the powerless can organize, have political impact
— agenda of reforms enacted in 20th century

34. Who started the Grange & what was its purpose? Define Populism.
Section 3 Review
What were greenbacks?
Who started the Grange & what was its purpose?
Define Populism.
What occurred when railroads expand faster than markets; some go bankrupt; government’s gold supply depleted, leads to rush on banks— businesses, banks collapse?
Explain the difference between Bimetallism and gold only.
People who follow bimetallism were called _______.
People who follow gold only were called ________.
Who were the candidates for president? Democrat vs Republican
Who won the election?
Though populism collapsed, what legacy did it leave?

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