1. Chapter 5 Section 3 Life in the West

2. Many western families lived on Homesteads: A piece of land and the house on it Many western families lived on Homesteads: A piece of land and the house on it Job opportunities for women in the West Job opportunities for women in the West –Some traditional jobs (teachers, sewers, cooks) –Some non-traditional (sheriffs, gamblers, outlaws)

3. Western states and women Recognized women’s contributions Recognized women’s contributions More legal rights (property, voting earlier) More legal rights (property, voting earlier) Wyoming Territory: first for women’s voting rights – other western states follow Wyoming Territory: first for women’s voting rights – other western states follow

4. A man’s worst nightmare?

5. Major “boomtowns” of the West San Francisco, CA (gold rush, 1849) San Francisco, CA (gold rush, 1849) Denver, CO (4,000 to 107,000 in 20 years) Denver, CO (4,000 to 107,000 in 20 years) Omaha, NE (cattle  meat center) Omaha, NE (cattle  meat center)

6. Mexicanos Spanish speaking southwesterners Slowly lost influence, land, power as Americans moved into SW United States Buffalo Soldiers African American US soldiers, as nicknamed by Natives

7. The “Wild” West?? Daily shootouts, saloons, Cowboys and Indians? Daily shootouts, saloons, Cowboys and Indians? “Legend” of West is turned to myth “Legend” of West is turned to myth –Dime novels –William “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s “Wild West Show” Real life legends Real life legends –Billy the Kid, outlaw/criminal –Wyatt Earp, peace officer, gambler –Calamity Jane, scout and performer