Westward Expansion: SOCIAL & CULTURAL Development [APUSH Review Unit 6 Topic 3] Period 6: 1865-1898

Following the Civil War, Americans sought self-sufficiency and independence through westward migration, continuing a longstanding national tradition.
The frontier essentially closed by the end of the 19th century, signifying the completion of settlement across the American continent.
Key incentives for migration:
- Homestead Act: Offered free land to settlers.
- Transcontinental Railroads: Facilitated travel and transport of goods, enhancing the cattle trade.

Settlers brought large herds of cattle, vital for agriculture and trade.
- Railroads helped link cattle ranchers with eastern markets, contributing to the economic growth of the West.
The archetype of the cowboy emerged during the mid-to-late 19th century, depicted romantically despite the harsh realities of their profession.
Sodbusters: Settlers who were characterized by their use of plows to farm the land, cutting through the sod of the Great Plains.
- Only about 20% acquired land through the Homestead Act; many purchased land from railroads.
Increasing mechanization and consolidation of agriculture led to larger agribusinesses, resulting in many small farms failing.

By 1890, the U.S. Census Bureau declared the frontier officially closed after the settlement of Oklahoma Territory.
Frederick Jackson Turner presented concerns regarding the closing of the frontier:
- The frontier had historically been a means for Americans to alleviate discontent and seek fresh starts.
- Turner worried about potential societal conflicts without the frontier as a buffer.

Westward expansion significantly impacted Native American communities, who occupied these lands prior to settler movement.
The Reservation System: The government attempted to solve the “Indian problem” by relocating tribes to designated areas, ignoring tribal mobility and cultural practices.
- As settlers decimated buffalo populations, Indians were forced into reservations and became dependent on the federal government.

Indian resistance to U.S. policies varied, with violent conflicts such as the Sioux Wars (beginning in 1886) where notable opposition occurred.
New treaties kept restricting Indians to smaller reservations, especially following gold discoveries on their lands.
The Indian Appropriation Act of 1871 negated the sovereignty of Indian nations, leading to further conflicts.
The Dawes Act of 1887 dismantled the reservation system, allotting 160 acres to individual families with the implication they assimilate into American culture in exchange for citizenship.
- The policy aimed to suppress distinct Indian cultures through education and vocational training.

The Ghost Dance Movement began as a spiritual resistance led by the prophet Wovoka, promoting rituals believed to restore Indian autonomy and culture.
The Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 marked the tragic end of violent Indian resistance, leaving over 200 Lakota killed during an attempt to disarm them.

The closing of the frontier represented a significant turning point in U.S. history, highlighting the shifting dynamics between settlers and Native American populations amid the expansionist agenda.