1. 8X
Objectives: Describe opportunities for Americans as the country expanded West.
Agenda:
Do Now: Copy down the Main Ideas and Big Idea from Chapter 18.1 into your notebooks.
Then read the section with your group and answer page 592 #4 on a separate sheet of paper.
Discuss page 592 #4
Finish presentations from yesterday.
Homework: Read Ch 18.2 Complete page 598 #4

2. Opportunities in the West
Mining
found gold in California in 1849
Comstock Lode – gold and silver in Nevada in 1859
Outcome:
Boomtowns, $500 million in gold and silver were found, big companies bought land, minders and unsafe conditions, brought families, settlements – schools, ghost towns, sudden arrival and departure, more immigrants

3. Opportunities in the West
Cattle
- large amounts of cattle in the West, esp. Texas. At end of Civil War, population grew and created a bigger demand for beef - $80 per cattle vs $3-6 in the West. Longhorn was most popular breed survivors of harsh climate.
Outcome:
Cattle business expanded – from Texas to Canada, took over land of Plains Indians – violence “Battle at Wounded Knee” and “Little Big Horn”, Rapid decrease in cattle because of high demand, job opportunities from skilled horsemen – the rise of cowboys – got techniques from vaqueros; rowdy cowboys created the need for peace keepers (ex: Wyatt Earp), rise of barbed wire because farmers would get mad that cattle would eat their crops during cattle drive – end of open range

4. Opportunities in the West
Railroad
Transcontinental RRs connected East and West; easier to transport goods to existing miners and ranchers in the West
Pacific Railway Acts – Government gave companies large land so that they can construct the RR for cheap or free and 1864
Outcome:
More treaties to remove Native Americans from the land
Great Race – race between Central Pacific and Union Pacific to finish
Thousands of RR workers (mostly Chinese and Irish immigrants)
Pony Express (mail through horseback) was replaced.
Railroads became one of the biggest industries in America, many people invested in railroad companies
Western miners, ranchers, and farmers shipped wood, metals, meat, and grain to the East
Time zones
* US economy became more interdependent
Increased both population and economic growth in the West.