Emergence of the Modern United States
CommunicationThe Pony Express (1860)Goes from St. Louis to San
Francisco in 10 daysPony Express lasts about 2 years.The
TelegraphSamuel Morse develops the Morse code.R.R. Companies allow
wire to be strung along the tracks for free use.
Native AmericansThere are about 15,000 Plains Indians that are
being pushed off their land as a result of people going to the
plains for land, mining, and to build railroads.The Native
Americans depend on the buffalo for most of the necessities of
life.White men kill off the buffalo and as the buffalo dies out, so
does the Plains Indians.
Native AmericansWhites break treaties with Native Americans
which lead to tension.In 1867-68 the U. S. government Indian policy
is to move Native Americans to reservations.Some tribes dont agree
and fight for their land and freedom.Indian ReformThe Dawes ActIn
1887 the Dawes Act was put in place to put Indians in the
mainstream of American Life.Indians get 160 acres and if accepted,
would become an American citizen.Government was to provide funds
for schools.The Dawes Act did not work due to Indian
resistance.
Carlisle Indian School1879 - 1918
Tom TorlinoCusters Last StandThe Battle of the Little Big
HornJune 25th, 1876Crazy Horse, Gall and Sitting Bull lead a force
of 2,500 Indians.General Custer and the 7th Cavalry (267 men)
attack.Custer and all his men are killed.The Sioux surrender later
in 1876.
Crazy HorseCusterWounded Knee1890The U. S. Cavalry was sent to
arrest Indians for taking part in the Ghost Dance at Wounded Knee,
South Dakota. A shot was fired and 290 men, women and children were
killed by the troops.
Opening the WestThe Homestead Act (1862)Made to encourage
farmers to settle out west.Any citizen could purchase 160 acres for
a $10 registration fee. To keep the land they had toBuild a house
on the land and live in it.Farm the land for 5 years.By 1900, there
were 600,000 farmers that had claimed Homesteads.
Plains life was hard
People lived in sod housesMany moved back east
CattleHigh profits were made for a short (20 years) period of
timeCowboys drive Texas longhorns to Abilene Kansas on the Chisholm
Trail and other less famous trails.
Down Fall of CattleOver grazingDroughtBarbed wireBad
weatherRanch wars Sheep Ranchers
