Looking to the West Chapter 8. I. Moving West: Before the C.W.: Americans had settled the areas just west of the Miss. River (MO, NE, KA, etc.) and the

Looking to the WestLooking to the West

Chapter 8Chapter 8

I. I. Moving WestMoving West::

Before the C.W.: Americans had settled the Before the C.W.: Americans had settled the areas just west of the Miss. River (MO, NE, areas just west of the Miss. River (MO, NE, KA, etc.) and the southern Pacific coast (CA)KA, etc.) and the southern Pacific coast (CA)

After the C.W.: Began to settle the areas in After the C.W.: Began to settle the areas in between (Great Plains, Southwest, Pacific between (Great Plains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest)Northwest)


2 Laws2 Laws encouraged settlement of the West: encouraged settlement of the West:

1)1) Morrill Land-Grant ActMorrill Land-Grant Act (1862) (1862) -federal gov’t gave millions of acres to state -federal gov’t gave millions of acres to state gov’ts to be sold to fund state collegesgov’ts to be sold to fund state colleges-land was sold for .50 an acre to bankers and -land was sold for .50 an acre to bankers and land speculatorsland speculators (people who bought large (people who bought large areas of land hoping to sell it for a profit areas of land hoping to sell it for a profit later)later)


2)2) Homestead ActHomestead Act (1862) (1862)

-offered 160 acres of land to anyone who met -offered 160 acres of land to anyone who met the following:the following:

a. Must be at least 21 a. Must be at least 21 oror the head of the head of the the family family

b. Had to be an Am. citizen b. Had to be an Am. citizen or or an an

immigrant applying for citizenshipimmigrant applying for citizenship

c. Had to pay a $10 registration feec. Had to pay a $10 registration fee


d. Had to build a house and live on the d. Had to build a house and live on the

land at least 6 months out of the yearland at least 6 months out of the year

e. Had to farm the land for 5 years before e. Had to farm the land for 5 years before

claiming ownershipclaiming ownership

By 1900: 600,000 families had claimed 80 By 1900: 600,000 families had claimed 80 million acres in the Westmillion acres in the West


ProblemsProblems on the homestead: on the homestead:-little farming experience-little farming experience-poor soil-poor soil-lack of water-lack of water-extreme climates (very hot or very cold)-extreme climates (very hot or very cold)-loneliness-loneliness-lack of trees for building-lack of trees for building-grasshopper and locust plagues-grasshopper and locust plagues


Families often lived in Families often lived in sod houses (soddies)sod houses (soddies) – – made of dirt and grass (i.e. sod)made of dirt and grass (i.e. sod)

Settlers had to work together to survive – built Settlers had to work together to survive – built houses and barns together, farmed together, houses and barns together, farmed together, etc.etc.


Most of the settlers were white – however, Most of the settlers were white – however, approximately 50,000 African Am.’s moved approximately 50,000 African Am.’s moved west after the C.W. to escaped racism – they west after the C.W. to escaped racism – they were called were called exodustersexodusters

Women faced loneliness because the men were Women faced loneliness because the men were often forced to find work elsewhere – women often forced to find work elsewhere – women also fought for the right to vote – also fought for the right to vote – WyomingWyoming was was the first state to grant women suffrage in 1890the first state to grant women suffrage in 1890

II. II. Conflict with Native AmericansConflict with Native Americans

1830s: several eastern N.A. tribes were forced 1830s: several eastern N.A. tribes were forced to settle in to settle in Indian TerritoryIndian Territory, present-day , present-day Oklahoma – tribes included: Cherokee, Creek, Oklahoma – tribes included: Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, etc.Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, etc.

The expansion of railroads threatened N.A. The expansion of railroads threatened N.A. lands in the Great Plains region – many Plains lands in the Great Plains region – many Plains Indians were forced to Indians were forced to reservationsreservations (federal (federal land set aside for N.A.’s)land set aside for N.A.’s)


Chivington / Sand Creek MassacreChivington / Sand Creek Massacre (1864) (1864)

-Col. John Chivington’s men killed 150-450 -Col. John Chivington’s men killed 150-450 peaceful Cheyenne men, women, and children in peaceful Cheyenne men, women, and children in present-day Coloradopresent-day Colorado

Battle of Little BighornBattle of Little Bighorn (1876) (1876)

-Gen. George Custer and 200+ soldiers were killed -Gen. George Custer and 200+ soldiers were killed by the Sioux, led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, by the Sioux, led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, in Montana – “Custer’s Last Stand”in Montana – “Custer’s Last Stand”


Massacre at Wounded KneeMassacre at Wounded Knee (1890) (1890)

-on a reservation in South Dakota-on a reservation in South Dakota

-200+ unarmed Sioux were killed while -200+ unarmed Sioux were killed while handing over weaponshanding over weapons


Chief JosephChief Joseph

-leader of the Nez Perce in NW U.S.-leader of the Nez Perce in NW U.S.

-promised his father that he would never sell -promised his father that he would never sell their homelandtheir homeland

-ordered to move to a reservation and Joseph -ordered to move to a reservation and Joseph decided to give indecided to give in

-before he did so, a group of young warriors -before he did so, a group of young warriors attacked some white settlersattacked some white settlers


-Joseph wanted to stay and fight but decided to -Joseph wanted to stay and fight but decided to run along with his entire triberun along with his entire tribe

-defeated less than 40 miles from Canada-defeated less than 40 miles from Canada

-said, “I am tired of fighting…I will fight no -said, “I am tired of fighting…I will fight no more forever.”more forever.”

-sent to Indian Territory-sent to Indian Territory


How was the N.A. culture destroyedHow was the N.A. culture destroyed??

1)1) Buffalo were killed – used for food, clothing, Buffalo were killed – used for food, clothing, shelter, fuel, tools, and weaponsshelter, fuel, tools, and weapons

2)2) Dawes ActDawes Act (1887) – gave land to the head of (1887) – gave land to the head of the family to be farmed – whites were trying the family to be farmed – whites were trying to “Americanize” the N.A.’s – problem: to “Americanize” the N.A.’s – problem: they were not farmersthey were not farmers


Fate of Indian TerritoryFate of Indian Territory::-settlers began to try to take the land after the -settlers began to try to take the land after the C.W. – the Indians protestedC.W. – the Indians protested-1889: Congress opened up 2 million acres for -1889: Congress opened up 2 million acres for settlement that had not been given to the settlement that had not been given to the IndiansIndians--Oklahoma Land Oklahoma Land Rush (Apr. 22, 1889) – Rush (Apr. 22, 1889) – settlers were called settlers were called boomersboomers – those that – those that cheated and went early were called cheated and went early were called soonerssooners

III. III. Farming, Mining, RanchingFarming, Mining, Ranching

A.A. FarmingFarming:: New technology and methods made farming New technology and methods made farming

the dry Great Plains easier:the dry Great Plains easier:

-used -used dry farmingdry farming – planting crops that do – planting crops that do not require a lot of water (corn, wheat)not require a lot of water (corn, wheat)

-steel plow, steel windmill, cornhusker, -steel plow, steel windmill, cornhusker, cornbindercornbinder


Bonanza FarmsBonanza Farms – farms controlled by large – farms controlled by large businesses and professionals businesses and professionals

-specialized in one crop – mass production -specialized in one crop – mass production

-led to a surplus which dropped the prices at -led to a surplus which dropped the prices at the market and led to debt for all farmersthe market and led to debt for all farmers


B.B. MiningMining:: 1849: CA gold rush – 49ers1849: CA gold rush – 49ers 1859: gold found at Pike’s Peak, CO and 1859: gold found at Pike’s Peak, CO and

silver at Virginia City, NV – 59erssilver at Virginia City, NV – 59ers Mining brought people from all nationalities Mining brought people from all nationalities

to the frontier – Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, to the frontier – Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, etc.etc.


Miners usually worked in small groups and Miners usually worked in small groups and many used many used placer miningplacer mining – shoveled loose dirt – shoveled loose dirt from streams into boxesfrom streams into boxes

Boom townsBoom towns – when gold or silver was – when gold or silver was discovered in a location, a town was builtdiscovered in a location, a town was built

Ghost townsGhost towns remained when the miners left remained when the miners left Large businesses got involved in mining – dug Large businesses got involved in mining – dug

into the mountains into the mountains


C.C. RanchingRanching:: most of the cattle ranches were in Texas – most of the cattle ranches were in Texas –

began in the early 1800s – raised Texas began in the early 1800s – raised Texas LonghornsLonghorns

White ranchers learned from Mexicans – White ranchers learned from Mexicans – adopted several Spanish words: coral, chaps, adopted several Spanish words: coral, chaps, lariat, rodeo, etc.lariat, rodeo, etc.


Cattle industry boomed during the 1860s and Cattle industry boomed during the 1860s and 1870s with the increased population in the 1870s with the increased population in the EastEast

Early 1800s: $3 to $5 a headEarly 1800s: $3 to $5 a head After C.W.: $30 to $50 a headAfter C.W.: $30 to $50 a head Cattle was first driven all the way to major Cattle was first driven all the way to major

mid-western cities – esp. Chicago and St. mid-western cities – esp. Chicago and St. LouisLouis


1867: the first cow town was est. by 1867: the first cow town was est. by Joseph Joseph McCoyMcCoy in Abilene, KA – other cow towns in Abilene, KA – other cow towns emerged (ex: Cheyenne, WY; Dodge City, emerged (ex: Cheyenne, WY; Dodge City, KA; Sedalia, MO)KA; Sedalia, MO)

Cattle were now driven north from TX to these Cattle were now driven north from TX to these new cow towns and then placed on a train and new cow towns and then placed on a train and sent Eastsent East

Cattle trails included: Goodnight-Loving, Cattle trails included: Goodnight-Loving, Western, Chisholm, and Sedalia TrailsWestern, Chisholm, and Sedalia Trails


Long Drive / Cattle DriveLong Drive / Cattle Drive – the moving of – the moving of cattle from TX to the cow townscattle from TX to the cow towns

ProblemsProblems on the Drive: on the Drive:1)1) Rivers difficult to crossRivers difficult to cross2)2) Native American attacksNative American attacks3)3) Cattle thieves (rustlers)Cattle thieves (rustlers)4)4) StampedesStampedes5)5) WeatherWeather


PositionsPositions of the cowboys: of the cowboys:

--PointPoint – rode in front of the herd – rode in front of the herd

--FlankFlank – rode beside the herd – rode beside the herd

--DragDrag – rode behind the herd – rode behind the herd


Each Drive Consisted of:Each Drive Consisted of:--Trail BossTrail Boss – rode point – most experienced – – rode point – most experienced – in chargein charge--CowboysCowboys – 12-15 per drive – depended on – 12-15 per drive – depended on size of the herd – some were in charge of the size of the herd – some were in charge of the extra horses (extra horses (horse wranglerhorse wrangler))--CattleCattle – up to 2,500 head – up to 2,500 head--CookCook – usually Mexican – rode in front of the – usually Mexican – rode in front of the herd with supplies and food in a chuckwagonherd with supplies and food in a chuckwagon


The cattle boom ended in the mid-1800s – The cattle boom ended in the mid-1800s – Why?Why?

1)1) Barbed wire fencesBarbed wire fences – invented by Joseph – invented by Joseph Glidden – farmers used it to keep out grazing Glidden – farmers used it to keep out grazing cattle – led to the disappearance of the open cattle – led to the disappearance of the open rangerange

2)2) Overstocking of cattleOverstocking of cattle – led to lower prices – led to lower prices at the marketat the market


3)3) Overgrazing of cattleOvergrazing of cattle – the grass began to – the grass began to disappeardisappear

4)4) Harsh ClimateHarsh Climate – from 1885 to 1887 there – from 1885 to 1887 there were droughts in the summer and harsh were droughts in the summer and harsh winters – caused many cattle to diewinters – caused many cattle to die

IV. IV. Frontier Myths and RealitiesFrontier Myths and Realities

One by one, areas of the West became United One by one, areas of the West became United States territories – as populations increased, States territories – as populations increased, these territories applied for statehoodthese territories applied for statehood

Many of the farmers in the West were deep in Many of the farmers in the West were deep in debt due to declining market prices and the debt due to declining market prices and the high cost of farm equipmenthigh cost of farm equipment


1872: federal gov’t established 1872: federal gov’t established Yellowstone Yellowstone National ParkNational Park to preserve western lands to preserve western lands

-located in northwest WY, southern MT, and -located in northwest WY, southern MT, and eastern IDeastern ID

-the first national park-the first national park Despite this step, in Despite this step, in 18901890 the Census Bureau the Census Bureau

announced the end of the frontierannounced the end of the frontier


1893: a young historian named 1893: a young historian named Fredrick Fredrick Jackson TurnerJackson Turner delivered a speech in which he delivered a speech in which he claimed that the frontier had played a central claimed that the frontier had played a central role in forming the Am. character (Turner role in forming the Am. character (Turner Frontier Thesis)Frontier Thesis)

-said settlers in the West were forced to shed -said settlers in the West were forced to shed their old ways and “adapt, innovate, and their old ways and “adapt, innovate, and invent”invent”


-frontier life had created Americans who were -frontier life had created Americans who were ready for adventure and committed to ready for adventure and committed to democracydemocracy

Not all western settlers were white:Not all western settlers were white:

-Chinese and Japanese settlers farmed the -Chinese and Japanese settlers farmed the West CoastWest Coast

-Chinese and African Am. railroad workers -Chinese and African Am. railroad workers often established businesses in western towns often established businesses in western towns


The cost to the environment was high:The cost to the environment was high:

-settlers treated natural resources as if they -settlers treated natural resources as if they were unlimitedwere unlimited

-railroad tunnels destroyed mountains-railroad tunnels destroyed mountains

-mines scarred the land and leveled forest-mines scarred the land and leveled forest

-buffalo were almost wiped out-buffalo were almost wiped out


The romantic image of the cowboy began as The romantic image of the cowboy began as early as the 1870s, in early as the 1870s, in dime novelsdime novels – outlaws, – outlaws, miners, gang leaders, cowboys, lawmen miners, gang leaders, cowboys, lawmen became heroesbecame heroes

1883: 1883: William F. (“Buffalo Bill”) CodyWilliam F. (“Buffalo Bill”) Cody began began his Wild West shows – drew 1000s of people – his Wild West shows – drew 1000s of people – steer-roping contests, rodeos, battles between steer-roping contests, rodeos, battles between the cavalry (“good”) and the Indians (“bad”)the cavalry (“good”) and the Indians (“bad”)

Documents

Looking to the West Chapter 8. I. Moving West: Before the C.W.: Americans had settled the areas just west of the Miss. River (MO, NE, KA, etc.) and the