american studies. consider the following changes that occurred in the united states in the late 19...
TRANSCRIPT
PRACTICE QUESTION Consider the following changes that occurred
in the United States in the late 19th century: Overcrowding of cities Increases in immigration from Europe Opportunity for farming and mining in rural areas
These changes led to: A. rapid growth of urban areas B. acquisition of overseas territories C. elimination of large suburbs around many cities D. movement of people to the western frontier
MANIFEST DESTINY
Our superior/dominant race is destined to conquer the West and spread our culture Many thought it was God’s plan Our nationalistic/ethnocentric ideas http://www.mdianeharrison.com/5th%20Gr
ade%20Westward%20Expansion%20Manifest%20Destiny.htm
THE FINAL FRONTIER
After the Civil War: The Great Plains: Flat grassy land
between the Missouri River and Rocky Mountains
The Great Basin: Dry desert lowland between the Rocky Mtns and the Sierra Nevada Mtns
THE PLAINS PEOPLE
Native Americans see Plains as sacred land that supports their way of life
Millions of buffalo used for: Meat for food Pelt for clothes Skin for shelter Bones for tools Manure for fuel/fertilizer
PRACTICE QUESTION In the 19th century, many Americans considered
Native Americans to be inferior to people of the European ancestry. This resulted in discrimination and conflict between European settlers and Native Americans. One consequence of this discrimination was that many Native Americans were:
A. removed from their former homeland B. prevented from trading with European settlers C. forced to maintain their cultural heritage D. persecuted for killing buffalo on the Great Plains
1850S: SETTLERS FROM THE EAST
Three groups that settled the final western frontier: Miners: Get rich quick off gold and silver Cattle Ranchers: Make money off raising
cows Homesteaders: Farming families
MINING FRONTIER
California Gold Rush: 1849 Rocky Mountain Gold Rush: 1859 Silver in Nevada Copper in Montana Gold in Black Hills of the Dakotas
100s of remote mining towns pop up all over the west
CATTLE FRONTIER
1860/70s: Best way to make money in Texas
Hire cowboys to drive cattle to market in the east
Cattle can graze anywhere on open range
Load onto train in Kansas for slaughterhouse in Chicago meatpacking industry
HOMESTEADERS
The Homestead Act (1862): Govt invites people to claim 160 acres of land just by settling on it
Farmers of wheat and corn mostly Many acres taken by spectators: buy
land only to sell it for a higher price later
FRONTIER PIONEERS
Industrialization leads to new technology to make farming easier Windmills to power pumps for underground
water Combines, silos, grain elevators
US Govt needs frontier settled in order to form new states
Railroads need laborers to build, goods to ship, workers for the trains, and towns to go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w__1GyfQPQ
THE WILD WEST: VIOLENT CONFLICT
Ranchers vs. Farmers: Barbed Wire Wars Barbed wire invented in 1874 to fence in
farmland Ranchers/Cowboys want open range for
grazing cows but farmers want their land protected
Cowboys cut wires; get in gun fights with farmers
OUTLAWS VS. VIGILANTES
Outlaws: Criminals/con artists who steal others gold or livestock to get rich quick
Small towns have little govt: Citizens carry guns and take the law into their own hands
Vigilantes: Self-appointed police force Results in shoot-outs and death without
trial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DU
0mdThjg4
HAZARDS AND HARDSHIPS OF FRONTIER LIFE
Drought, disease, far from stores and neighbors, hard physical labor
Few trees: First homes made of sod/dirt Women: Never-ending chores, make
everything by hand, have 10+ children Women civilize mining/cow towns:
Schools, libraries, doctors, theaters
TREATMENT OF NATIVE AMERICANS
Removal from homeland since 1830s US breaks many treaties with Natives Wars between Natives and Pioneers
Sioux victory at Little Bighorn US Army revenge at Wounded Knee: massacre
of Native American men, women, and children Natives lose and surrender because:
They fight as tribes not united nation They were outnumbered; lost many to disease They had primitive weapons
PRACTICE QUESTION
During the 19th century, white settlers moved west searching for a new life. However, they moved into lands that were already claimed by the Native Americans. After many broken treaties and battles the Native Americans were forced to move to:
A. cities such as New York and Boston B. reservations which were lands settlers did not want C. mining towns of the west D. other countries like Mexico and Canada
NATIVE AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS
Reservation: Designated undesirable land set aside for Native Americans Often barren, Natives don’t farm they hunt
Dawes Act: Offers 160 acre plots on reservation Natives don’t believe in private land
1924: Granted full citizenship 1960s-Present: Red Power
Gain more control over laws and land with more aid and compensation