Moving West

California and Anti-Chinese Sentiments

• Spanish Settlement:

  • Began in the 1700s with Catholic missions.

  • Population surged with the Gold Rush in 1849.

  • Californios faced overwhelming newcomers, losing lands and businesses.

  • Mexican and Mexican Americans became part of a poor working class (barrios, migrant workers).

• Chinese Immigration:

  • Attracted by the Gold Rush, many arrived via Angel Island (200,000 by 1800).

  • Majority were laborers; 90% worked for the Central Pacific Railroad, completed in 1869.

  • Large Chinese communities established in San Francisco's Chinatowns.

  • Organizations like the "Six Companies" served as political voices for Chinese immigrants.

  • Exploitation was rampant; many Chinese women were forced into prostitution.

  • Rising hostility, particularly from the Democratic Party.

• Legislative Responses:

  • In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act banned Chinese immigration for 10 years.

  • Act barred Chinese already in the US from naturalization; made permanent in 1902.

  • Resulted in a 40% drop in the Chinese population by 1943.

Migration Post-Civil War

• Homestead Act of 1862:

  • Encouraged westward economic development.

  • Settlers could purchase 160 acres for $18.

  • Requirement: live and work land for 5 years, then prove improvements to own land.

  • Note: 160 acres proved insufficient for cattle grazing.

• Timber Culture Act of 1873:

  • Offered additional 160 acres if settlers planted 40 acres of trees.

• Desert Land Act of 1877:

  • Allowed purchase of 640 acres at $1.25 per acre if irrigated within 3 years.

• From 1871 to 1900, over 480,000 titles were transferred but faced challenges in grazing.

Mining

• Mining Boom (1850-1890s):

  • First focused on gold, then turned to minerals like quartz.

  • Key events:

  • Gold rush at Pikes Peak, CO (1858).

  • Silver discovered in Leadville, CO and Comstock Lode, NV.

  • Gold found in the Black Hills, Dakota Territory.

  • Other valuable minerals included copper, lead, tin, quartz, zinc.

  • Many sought wealth, but success proved elusive.

Ranching

• Cattle industry:

  • About 5 million cattle by 1865, moved to markets in the east for profitable prices.

  • Long Drives facilitated cattle transport to railroad centers.

  • Ranchers faced numerous challenges:

  • Native American raids, drought conditions, and cattle speculation.

  • Competition with sheep breeders led to conflict over grazing lands (range wars).

• The Open Range allowed ranchers to use land freely for cattle.