Chapter 5: Growth in the West America Spreads Across the Continent from Sea to Shining Sea… (some...

Chapter 5: Growth in the West

Chapter 5: Growth in the West

America Spreads Across the Continent from Sea to Shining

Sea…(some of it during the Civil

War times, etc)

America Spreads Across the Continent from Sea to Shining

Sea…(some of it during the Civil

War times, etc)

1800s America

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands Geography & Polulation of

the West: - not many lived in the Great

Plains at first because they thought it was empty and

worthless - Native Americans were

there and most followed the buffalo herds along the plains (for food, shelter, etc)

- Railroads helped settle the West when they were built

Geography & Polulation of the West:

- not many lived in the Great Plains at first because they

thought it was empty and worthless

- Native Americans were there and most followed the buffalo herds along the plains (for food, shelter, etc)

- Railroads helped settle the West when they were built

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

Mining in the West: -miners came to Colorado,

Nevada, California, South Dakota, etc

- they were looking for gold and silver there

- fast population growth led to “boomtowns” popping up

- some panned for gold, many mined in the mountains for it

- life in the mine was dangerous and dirty

- many boomtowns “died” because the “boom” was over

Mining in the West: -miners came to Colorado,

Nevada, California, South Dakota, etc

- they were looking for gold and silver there

- fast population growth led to “boomtowns” popping up

- some panned for gold, many mined in the mountains for it

- life in the mine was dangerous and dirty

- many boomtowns “died” because the “boom” was over

Into the WestInto the West

Mining Scene ClipMining Scene Clip

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands The Rise of the Cattle

Industry: - the RR helped beef sales

because they could ship them

- people would drive cattle across the plains to RR sites

- cattle would feed on the open range on the way (grassland)

The Rise of the Cattle Industry:

- the RR helped beef sales because they could ship them

- people would drive cattle across the plains to RR sites

- cattle would feed on the open range on the way (grassland)

Rawhide theme song

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

Vaqueros and Cowhands:

- the first cowhands were Spanish in the southwest U.S. (1500s)

- they helped teach American cowhands how to work cattle

- about 1 of every 3 cowhands were Mexican or African-American

Vaqueros and Cowhands:

- the first cowhands were Spanish in the southwest U.S. (1500s)

- they helped teach American cowhands how to work cattle

- about 1 of every 3 cowhands were Mexican or African-American

Lonesome DoveLonesome Dove

Cattle Drive scene Cattle Drive scene

Open RangeOpen Range

Clip about cattle industry and cattle drives (intro section)

Clip about cattle industry and cattle drives (intro section)

Open Range trailer

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands The “Wild West”: - towns grew very fast during

this time - there was little law and order

early because of this - some outlaws made crime a

way of life there - for protection, people took the

law into their own hands (vigilante justice)

- after time, cities got sheriffs and other law enforcement

The “Wild West”: - towns grew very fast during

this time - there was little law and order

early because of this - some outlaws made crime a

way of life there - for protection, people took the

law into their own hands (vigilante justice)

- after time, cities got sheriffs and other law enforcement

Wyatt Earp

Tombstonetrailer

History ChannelHistory Channel

“Wild West Towns” clip from Deadwood, SD

“Wild West Towns” clip from Deadwood, SD

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

Section 1: Miners, Ranchers, and Cowhands

End of the Long Drives: -the cattle boom lasted about

20 years - in 1886, the boom came to an

end because of: 1) supply increased and the

price dropped severely 2) barbed wire was invented

and people fenced in the open range, making cattle drives nearly impossible

3) harsh winter of 1886-1887 led to many cattle deaths

End of the Long Drives: -the cattle boom lasted about

20 years - in 1886, the boom came to an

end because of: 1) supply increased and the

price dropped severely 2) barbed wire was invented

and people fenced in the open range, making cattle drives nearly impossible

3) harsh winter of 1886-1887 led to many cattle deaths

Open RangeOpen Range

End of the Cattle Drives clipEnd of the Cattle Drives clip

Moving to Sec. 2Moving to Sec. 2 Okay, so a lot of people are moving out

west to move cattle, find gold, etc. They are also building railroads across

the plains (more on that later) The U.S. government is giving away free

land in the great plains as well (more on that later)

What about the people already living in the Great Plains? The Native Americans

Okay, so a lot of people are moving out west to move cattle, find gold, etc.

They are also building railroads across the plains (more on that later)

The U.S. government is giving away free land in the great plains as well (more on that later)

What about the people already living in the Great Plains? The Native Americans

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive Native American Life on the Plains

- many Plains Native Americans followed the buffalo herds

- it provided meat, skins for tepees, hides for clothing, bones and horns for tools & bowls, buffalo “chips” for fuel

- basically, everything that was able to be used, was used by the Native Americans

- the buffalo was basically sacred to them

Native American Life on the Plains

- many Plains Native Americans followed the buffalo herds

- it provided meat, skins for tepees, hides for clothing, bones and horns for tools & bowls, buffalo “chips” for fuel

- basically, everything that was able to be used, was used by the Native Americans

- the buffalo was basically sacred to them

Dances With WolvesDances With Wolves

Buffalo hunt scene (8)

Buffalo hunt scene (8)

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive A Clash of Cultures: - the government made

treaties with Native Americans

- the treaties were broken when we wanted to move there

- some tribes fought against more treaties and relocation

A Clash of Cultures: - the government made

treaties with Native Americans

- the treaties were broken when we wanted to move there

- some tribes fought against more treaties and relocation

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive A Clash of Cultures (con’t): - after Cheyenne warriors

attacked miners and soldiers in Colo., soldiers fired on a village in Colorado and killed 150+ men, women, and kids in the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864

- some Native Americans attacked white settlements after this, the U.S. signed the 2nd Treaty of Ft. Laramie, which gave the Native Americans land in the Black Hills, S.D. region

A Clash of Cultures (con’t): - after Cheyenne warriors

attacked miners and soldiers in Colo., soldiers fired on a village in Colorado and killed 150+ men, women, and kids in the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864

- some Native Americans attacked white settlements after this, the U.S. signed the 2nd Treaty of Ft. Laramie, which gave the Native Americans land in the Black Hills, S.D. region

Into the WestInto the West

Sand Creek Massacre (7)Sand Creek Massacre (7)

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive Battle of Little Bighorn: - in 1874, people found gold in

the Black Hills region, causing another rush of settlers to go there

- many Sioux settled in Montana territory, under the leadership of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull

- The U.S. 7th Cavalry, under leadership of George Custer

attacked them near the Little Bighorn River in Montana

Battle of Little Bighorn: - in 1874, people found gold in

the Black Hills region, causing another rush of settlers to go there

- many Sioux settled in Montana territory, under the leadership of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull

- The U.S. 7th Cavalry, under leadership of George Custer

attacked them near the Little Bighorn River in Montana

Crazy Horse

Sitting Bull

George A. Custer

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive Battle of Little Bighorn (con’t): - Custer was over- confident and

attacked, even though they were severely outnumbered by the Native Americans

- In a short, decisive victory, the Native Americans defeated Custer’s army, killing all 211 soldiers in the regiment

- Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull later surrendered and the battle was the last major victory for Native Americans

Battle of Little Bighorn (con’t): - Custer was over- confident and

attacked, even though they were severely outnumbered by the Native Americans

- In a short, decisive victory, the Native Americans defeated Custer’s army, killing all 211 soldiers in the regiment

- Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull later surrendered and the battle was the last major victory for Native Americans

Youtube clip

Battle of Little Bighorn site today…

Battle of Little Bighorn site today…

Into the WestInto the West

Battle of Little Bighorn clip (10)

Battle of Little Bighorn clip (10)

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive Resistance in the Northwest and Southwest

- the Nez Perce tribe in Oregon and Idaho region was forced off their land

- under the leadership of Chief Joseph, many of them fled to Canada while being chased by U.S. soldiers

- they were caught just before they got there, and surrendered

Resistance in the Northwest and Southwest

- the Nez Perce tribe in Oregon and Idaho region was forced off their land

- under the leadership of Chief Joseph, many of them fled to Canada while being chased by U.S. soldiers

- they were caught just before they got there, and surrendered

Chief Joseph

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive Resistance in the Northwest and Southwest (continued)

-- In the southwest, the Navajo and Apache tribes were also forced off of their land by the U.S. soldiers

- after the U.S. burned crops and homes, about 8,000 Navajo had to walk to a reservation in New Mexico

- the Apache tribe was forced to settle on a reservation in Arizona

Resistance in the Northwest and Southwest (continued)

-- In the southwest, the Navajo and Apache tribes were also forced off of their land by the U.S. soldiers

- after the U.S. burned crops and homes, about 8,000 Navajo had to walk to a reservation in New Mexico

- the Apache tribe was forced to settle on a reservation in Arizona

Geronimo

Dances With Wolves

Dances With Wolves

Massacre of the Buffalo scene (5)

Massacre of the Buffalo scene (5)

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive A Way of Life Ends: - buffalo herds were nearly wiped

out by hunters who used mainly the skins, etc. for making $$$

- this severely hurt the Native American way of life, forcing many of them to surrender and go to reservations

- many fled the reservations to gather for the Ghost Dance spiritual gathering in the Pine Ridge (South Dakota) reservation to celebrate Wovoka’s vision of the buffalo return

A Way of Life Ends: - buffalo herds were nearly wiped

out by hunters who used mainly the skins, etc. for making $$$

- this severely hurt the Native American way of life, forcing many of them to surrender and go to reservations

- many fled the reservations to gather for the Ghost Dance spiritual gathering in the Pine Ridge (South Dakota) reservation to celebrate Wovoka’s vision of the buffalo return

Wovoka

Dances with Wolves Buffalo death scene…Next slide

Youtube Ghost Dance

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive A Way of Life Ends (continued):

- the U.S. thought they were gathering to prepare for war

- the U.S. sent the army to gather up the Native Americans

- as the Sioux were giving up their weapons, a shot was fired, leading to U.S. troops opening fire and killing about 300 men, women, and children in the Wounded Knee Massacre

A Way of Life Ends (continued):

- the U.S. thought they were gathering to prepare for war

- the U.S. sent the army to gather up the Native Americans

- as the Sioux were giving up their weapons, a shot was fired, leading to U.S. troops opening fire and killing about 300 men, women, and children in the Wounded Knee Massacre

Youtube Wounded Knee

Into the WestInto the West

Ghost Dance Tension and Wounded Knee Massacre (12)

Ghost Dance Tension and Wounded Knee Massacre (12)

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive The Dawes Act Fails - Some white Americans had been

calling for better treatment and better policy toward Native Americans

- many felt that assimilation was necessary to make it work

- they felt that Native Americans needed to be “ American-ized”

- the Dawes Act was passed that divided reservations into segments for them to farm, then sold leftover land to settlers

The Dawes Act Fails - Some white Americans had been

calling for better treatment and better policy toward Native Americans

- many felt that assimilation was necessary to make it work

- they felt that Native Americans needed to be “ American-ized”

- the Dawes Act was passed that divided reservations into segments for them to farm, then sold leftover land to settlers

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive

Section 2: Native Americans Fight To

Survive The Dawes Act Fails (continued)

- this didn’t work very well as many Natives didn’t want to farm or didn’t have the skills, tools, training, or money to do it

- another attempt to “Americanize” the Native Americans was using special schools for children to teach them American values, etc.

- this also was a sad chapter of U.S. history as we tried to “erase” their culture

The Dawes Act Fails (continued)

- this didn’t work very well as many Natives didn’t want to farm or didn’t have the skills, tools, training, or money to do it

- another attempt to “Americanize” the Native Americans was using special schools for children to teach them American values, etc.

- this also was a sad chapter of U.S. history as we tried to “erase” their culture

Into the WestInto the West

Native American schools clip (8)

Native American schools clip (8)

Into the WestInto the West

Closing CommentsClosing Comments

Moving to Ch. 5, Sec. 3“Life in the West”

Moving to Ch. 5, Sec. 3“Life in the West”

The legend of the “wild west” has been in movies, songs, paintings, etc. for many years

But what was life really like in the west?

We’ll see in this section…

The legend of the “wild west” has been in movies, songs, paintings, etc. for many years

But what was life really like in the west?

We’ll see in this section…

Section 3: Life in the West

Section 3: Life in the West

Women in the West - Many times, people forgot

how much women helped on farms

- they lived miles from others, were family doctors, cooked,etc

- most held traditional jobs of teaching, sewing, laundry, etc.

- a few were outlaws, ran hotels, some gambled, etc

- the state of Wyoming was first to give the right to vote

Women in the West - Many times, people forgot

how much women helped on farms

- they lived miles from others, were family doctors, cooked,etc

- most held traditional jobs of teaching, sewing, laundry, etc.

- a few were outlaws, ran hotels, some gambled, etc

- the state of Wyoming was first to give the right to vote

Section 3: Life in the West

Section 3: Life in the West

The Rise of Western Cities - Cities seemed to grow overnight

due to population booms - different things led to the rise of

cities over time - San Francisco, CA: the gold

rush brought many people in search of “instant” riches

- Denver, CO: mining and railroads drew people to move there

- Omaha, NE: the cattle yards there and meatpacking plants brought work and people

- Portland, OR: fishing, grain, and lumber markets drew people there

The Rise of Western Cities - Cities seemed to grow overnight

due to population booms - different things led to the rise of

cities over time - San Francisco, CA: the gold

rush brought many people in search of “instant” riches

- Denver, CO: mining and railroads drew people to move there

- Omaha, NE: the cattle yards there and meatpacking plants brought work and people

- Portland, OR: fishing, grain, and lumber markets drew people there

Section 3: Life in the West

Section 3: Life in the West

Mexicanos in the Southwest:

- New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California were under Spanish control before U.S. did

- After 1840s, white settlers began arriving for farming, etc.

- Many Mexicanos lost land and power when U.S. courts did not recognize previous land grants

Mexicanos in the Southwest:

- New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California were under Spanish control before U.S. did

- After 1840s, white settlers began arriving for farming, etc.

- Many Mexicanos lost land and power when U.S. courts did not recognize previous land grants

Section 3: Life in the West

Section 3: Life in the West

The Myth of the Old West: - in the 1890s, the myth of the

west grew, becoming a “fantasy” of heroes, gunfights, Indians, etc.

- spread through the use of dime novels, etc.

- stories were exaggerations or just plain fiction

- Buffalo Bill Cody’s “Wild West Show” was a huge production that traveled to cities, showing what the “Wild West” was like (but it wasn’t! It was exaggerated)

The Myth of the Old West: - in the 1890s, the myth of the

west grew, becoming a “fantasy” of heroes, gunfights, Indians, etc.

- spread through the use of dime novels, etc.

- stories were exaggerations or just plain fiction

- Buffalo Bill Cody’s “Wild West Show” was a huge production that traveled to cities, showing what the “Wild West” was like (but it wasn’t! It was exaggerated)Youtube

Disney’s WWS

Youtubeparade

See “Hidalgo” clip(next slide)

See “Hidalgo” clip(next slide)

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show

(also addresses battle of wounded knee)

(Stop at 9:00 mark after Annie shoots the bulbs)

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show

(also addresses battle of wounded knee)

(Stop at 9:00 mark after Annie shoots the bulbs)

Some Myths/Legends of the “Wild West”

Some Myths/Legends of the “Wild West”

Annie Oakley - female gunslinger Youtube

Billy the Kid - famous outlaw (Young Guns trailer) Buffalo Bill Cody - Wild West Show

(lived in North Platte, NE) (Disney) Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday- famous

lawman (Tombstone trailer)

Annie Oakley - female gunslinger Youtube

Billy the Kid - famous outlaw (Young Guns trailer) Buffalo Bill Cody - Wild West Show

(lived in North Platte, NE) (Disney) Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday- famous

lawman (Tombstone trailer)

Section 3: Life in the West

Section 3: Life in the West

The Real West - Many people who really helped

in the West were ignored - vaqueros were Spanish

cowhands who helped a lot - “Buffalo soldiers” (African

Amer.) fought for the army - Legends often told of Native

American attacks on settlers, but ignored the breaking of treaties and massacres by US

- the governments role of helping people in settling the West was often downplayed

The Real West - Many people who really helped

in the West were ignored - vaqueros were Spanish

cowhands who helped a lot - “Buffalo soldiers” (African

Amer.) fought for the army - Legends often told of Native

American attacks on settlers, but ignored the breaking of treaties and massacres by US

- the governments role of helping people in settling the West was often downplayed

Moving to Section 4Moving to Section 4

Farming and Populism How did many of the farms of

today in Nebraska get started during this era?

How did the U.S. government get people to move to the Great Plains region?

Farming and Populism How did many of the farms of

today in Nebraska get started during this era?

How did the U.S. government get people to move to the Great Plains region?

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Section 4: Farming and Populism

U.S. Government Encourages Settlement

- in 1862, the Homestead Act was passed by Congress

- this gave 160 acres of free land in the West to anyone who was willing to farm it for 5 years

- many people took advantage of this offer, including immigrants

from Europe and African Americans (“exodusters”) looking for “new lives”

U.S. Government Encourages Settlement

- in 1862, the Homestead Act was passed by Congress

- this gave 160 acres of free land in the West to anyone who was willing to farm it for 5 years

- many people took advantage of this offer, including immigrants

from Europe and African Americans (“exodusters”) looking for “new lives”

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Life on the Farming Frontier - life was not easy on the farm

- farmers had to adapt in many ways to make a living there

- had to make their house out of sod because of few trees

- had to dig deep wells to get to underground water

- had to use “cow pies” for fuel to heat, cook, etc.

Life on the Farming Frontier - life was not easy on the farm

- farmers had to adapt in many ways to make a living there

- had to make their house out of sod because of few trees

- had to dig deep wells to get to underground water

- had to use “cow pies” for fuel to heat, cook, etc.

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Life on the Farming Frontier (con’t)

- key inventions: steel plow for cutting

through the sod windmill to use wind to

pump water; barbed wire for fencing in

the land; reapers to harvest crops

faster/easier

Life on the Farming Frontier (con’t)

- key inventions: steel plow for cutting

through the sod windmill to use wind to

pump water; barbed wire for fencing in

the land; reapers to harvest crops

faster/easier

Video ClipVideo Clip

Homestead Monument video(12)

Homestead Monument video(12)

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Problems of Farmers: - more food grown = more supply - more supply = falling prices and

farm economic problems - machinery cost more $, and

railroads were over-charging - famers formed the Grange, which

helped meet the social and economic needs of farmers (help them work together)

- they started cooperatives, which are organizations owned and run by the members, which allowed them to store crops in their buildings and negotiate better prices for them

Problems of Farmers: - more food grown = more supply - more supply = falling prices and

farm economic problems - machinery cost more $, and

railroads were over-charging - famers formed the Grange, which

helped meet the social and economic needs of farmers (help them work together)

- they started cooperatives, which are organizations owned and run by the members, which allowed them to store crops in their buildings and negotiate better prices for them

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Section 4: Farming and Populism

The Rise of Populism - the Populist party was mainly farmers

- they wanted a “free silver” policy that would have used silver instead of gold to back U.S. dollars

- this would raise prices by causing inflation (more dollars)

- in 1896, William McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan (from Nebraska) of the Populist Party for U.S. President

The Rise of Populism - the Populist party was mainly farmers

- they wanted a “free silver” policy that would have used silver instead of gold to back U.S. dollars

- this would raise prices by causing inflation (more dollars)

- in 1896, William McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan (from Nebraska) of the Populist Party for U.S. President

William J. BryanWilliam McKinley

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Section 4: Farming and Populism

Closing the Frontier - in 1889, the Oklahoma land

rush signaled the “closing of the West” because the last “open” land in the U.S. was to be given away (it was meant to be for the Native Americans

- America was basically now completely settled, and the population of the U.S. was spread across the country

Closing the Frontier - in 1889, the Oklahoma land

rush signaled the “closing of the West” because the last “open” land in the U.S. was to be given away (it was meant to be for the Native Americans

- America was basically now completely settled, and the population of the U.S. was spread across the country

Youtube clipFrom “Far and Away”

“Sooners” story

Moving to Ch. 6, Sec. 2Moving to Ch. 6, Sec. 2

One of the great influences on westward expansion was the building of the Transcontinental Railroad

This had a great effect on Nebraska as well in particular

Let’s find out more…

One of the great influences on westward expansion was the building of the Transcontinental Railroad

This had a great effect on Nebraska as well in particular

Let’s find out more…

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Deciding to Span the Continent

- In 1862, Congress passed a bill calling for two companies to build a railroad that crossed the entire country

- the Central Pacific would start in California and go East

- the Union Pacific would start in Nebraska and go West

- the government offered them 20 square miles of land for every mile of track that they laid. The RR could sell it for money

Deciding to Span the Continent

- In 1862, Congress passed a bill calling for two companies to build a railroad that crossed the entire country

- the Central Pacific would start in California and go East

- the Union Pacific would start in Nebraska and go West

- the government offered them 20 square miles of land for every mile of track that they laid. The RR could sell it for money

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Building the Railroad: - Due to the mining boom, the

Central Pacific faced a shortage of workers to build tracks

- they decided to hire Chinese immigrant workers, who were not very well liked by many people in California & the West

- this was a great move, because they worked very hard, got sick less (drank tea instead of the water), etc.

- the Union Pacific hired former soldiers from the Civil War, freed slaves, and many immigrants from Ireland, etc.

Building the Railroad: - Due to the mining boom, the

Central Pacific faced a shortage of workers to build tracks

- they decided to hire Chinese immigrant workers, who were not very well liked by many people in California & the West

- this was a great move, because they worked very hard, got sick less (drank tea instead of the water), etc.

- the Union Pacific hired former soldiers from the Civil War, freed slaves, and many immigrants from Ireland, etc.

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Railroads Tie the Nation Together - the RR lines met in 1869 - a “Golden Spike” ceremony was

held to celebrate the meeting of the two lines in Promontory Point, Utah

- hundreds of people gathered as the president of the Central and the vice president of the Union Pacific drove the last spike in

- even though they both missed, the telegraph still sent the news that America was now connected

- the Chinese workers didn’t get the credit deserved

Railroads Tie the Nation Together - the RR lines met in 1869 - a “Golden Spike” ceremony was

held to celebrate the meeting of the two lines in Promontory Point, Utah

- hundreds of people gathered as the president of the Central and the vice president of the Union Pacific drove the last spike in

- even though they both missed, the telegraph still sent the news that America was now connected

- the Chinese workers didn’t get the credit deserved

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Railroad Time - America had to change

their time system now - before, each town had

it’s own “solar time” based on the sun

- four new time zones were set up that we still use today

Railroad Time - America had to change

their time system now - before, each town had

it’s own “solar time” based on the sun

- four new time zones were set up that we still use today

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Chapter 6, Section 2: Railroads Transform the Nation

Economic and Social Changes: - the RR had a huge impact! 1) Linked the economies of the west

and east (shipping) 2) Helped people settle the West

(jobs, travel, etc) 3) Weakened Native American life in

the West (buffalo lost, etc) 4) People relied less on the

environment (not near water) **many towns (especially in

Nebraska) grew up along the RR lines that are still there today because of the railroad being built**

Economic and Social Changes: - the RR had a huge impact! 1) Linked the economies of the west

and east (shipping) 2) Helped people settle the West

(jobs, travel, etc) 3) Weakened Native American life in

the West (buffalo lost, etc) 4) People relied less on the

environment (not near water) **many towns (especially in

Nebraska) grew up along the RR lines that are still there today because of the railroad being built**

Into the WestInto the West

Railroad building and Golden Spike

Railroad building and Golden Spike

Impact of Western Expansion of the U.S.

Impact of Western Expansion of the U.S.

Population shift to west coast and great plains (East coast still has the most though)

Native American way of life pretty much wiped out

Farming in the plains increased New towns formed Railroad transformed travel What else do you think?

Population shift to west coast and great plains (East coast still has the most though)

Native American way of life pretty much wiped out

Farming in the plains increased New towns formed Railroad transformed travel What else do you think?