Western_Expansion_1862-1898

WESTWARD EXPANSION AFTER THE CIVIL WAR

Essential Question: How was America transformed as a result of westward expansion?

MINING

• The California Gold Rush peaked in 1849 but continued to spur prospecting endeavors for years thereafter, with more discoveries reported in diverse locations.

• The significant discovery of gold at Pikes Peak in the late 1850s catalyzed a renewed interest in mining activities in the region, attracting thousands of prospectors and fortune seekers.

• Mining evolved into a highly lucrative business; however, larger companies with more resources were generally more successful than independent miners, leading to the consolidation of wealth and power among a small number of mining entrepreneurs.

IMPACT OF MINING

• The rush for gold and silver generated the establishment of numerous "boomtowns," which sprang up almost overnight due to the influx of miners.

• Many miners quickly made profits but often squandered their earnings through gambling, drinking, and other forms of entertainment.

• Once mines depleted their resources, boomtowns frequently degenerated into ghost towns, leaving behind reminders of lost fortunes and short-lived communities.

• As the extraction of gold and silver decreased, the focus shifted to the mining of other metals such as copper, lead, and zinc, further shaping the economic landscape.

RAILROADS

• Railroads became an essential conduit for the transport of mined metals and goods across vast distances, fostering economic growth and settlement.

• The U.S. government supported railroad expansion by offering subsidies, land grants, and other incentives to companies willing to develop railway infrastructure.

A TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD

• In the 1850s, ambitious efforts commenced to link the Atlantic and Pacific coasts with a transcontinental railroad stretching approximately 1,700 miles.

• Two primary construction companies were responsible for this monumental project:

  • Central Pacific Company: Initiated in Sacramento, California, and progressed eastward through challenging terrains.

  • Union Pacific Company: Began in Omaha, Nebraska, and moved westward, employing diverse workforces, including Irish immigrants, African Americans (Union Pacific), and Chinese laborers (Central Pacific).

• The completion of the railroad in May 1869 was a significant event in American history, celebrated when both companies' teams met at Promontory Summit, Utah, where the final "Golden Spike" was driven by Leland Stanford.

THE CATTLE BUSINESS

• Ranchers in Texas capitalized on the availability of open range for herding longhorn cattle, which were thinly distributed across vast landscapes.

• The high demand for beef in the eastern markets surged prices, peaking at $40 per head, which incited ranchers to drive cattle to strategically-positioned railroads, leading to the emergence of several "cow towns" inclusive of Dodge City, Kansas, and Abilene, Texas.

COWHANDS (COWBOYS)

• Cowhands faced numerous daily challenges, including extreme weather conditions and threats from cattle rustlers and potentially dangerous stampedes.

• Many cowhands were Civil War veterans seeking a new start, alongside others including Native Americans.

• The contributions of Hispanic cowhands, or vaqueros, were instrumental in developing and refining cowboy techniques, traditions, and practices, introducing essential skills and tools.

• One notable cowhand from history is Nat "Nate" Love, a former slave who became a cowboy and was known for his skills and contributions to cattle drives.

THE HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1862

• The Homestead Act aimed to encourage settlement on the Great Plains by offering families access to up to 160 acres of land for a nominal fee of $10, contingent on a five-year residency requirement.

• Subsequent legislation expanded the allowances for land ownership, with some laws permitting up to 640 acres.

• The Act facilitated the settlement of diverse groups, including African Americans and women, who sought refuge from discrimination in Southern states.

• Not all settlers adhered to homesteading practices, with some opting to purchase available land at reduced costs.

LIFE ON THE GREAT PLAINS

• Due to the scarcity of wood resources in the Great Plains, settlers often constructed sod houses using thick blocks of sod from the earth.

• Settlers confronted harsh climatic conditions characterized by severe droughts, frequent floods, brushfires, and summer grasshopper swarms, which threatened crops.

• Winters could be bitterly cold, necessitating that families stockpile food and supplies for survival.

• Children contributed significantly to family farming efforts, which led to inconsistent school attendance, often limiting educational opportunities.

NEW FARMING METHODS

• Farmers on the Great Plains, often referred to as "sodbusters," developed innovative farming techniques and equipment to adapt to the challenging environment.

• One prominent method was dry farming, which entailed plowing fields immediately after rainfall to trap moisture and improve soil quality.

• John Deere's invention of the steel plow revolutionized agriculture by enabling farmers to break tough sod layers effectively and efficiently, allowing for more widespread farming.

OTHER INVENTIONS

• The six-shooter, developed by Samuel Colt, became a significant firearm during the Civil War and subsequent conflicts with Native Americans, transforming personal and military combat.

• Barbed wire, a significant invention, revolutionized ranching and farming practices by allowing for the effective enclosure of livestock, thereby eliminating the need for wood fencing.

• Windmills emerged as crucial tools for harnessing wind energy to pump water from deep wells, providing necessary resources for settlements and farming.

CONFLICTS WITH NATIVE AMERICANS

• The Indian Peace Commission of 1867 aimed to relocate Native Americans onto reservations, often against their will, under the pretext of maintaining peace.

• The U.S. government approved military action against Native American groups that resisted forced relocation, leading to numerous violent confrontations and broken treaties.

LIFE ON A RESERVATION

• Life on government-managed reservations, overseen by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, was typically difficult, as most reservation lands were unsuitable for agricultural practices.

• The persistent failure of the U.S. government to deliver promised supplies led to widespread dissatisfaction among Native American communities, increasing resentment and conflict.

LITTLE BIGHORN

• A myriad of conflicts arose between Plains Indians and U.S. military forces after the 1868 treaty failed to prevent settler encroachment in the gold-rich Black Hills.

• The discovery of gold triggered additional tensions; Sioux Chief Sitting Bull resisted government efforts to buy the Black Hills, asserting the land's sacred significance to his people.

THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN

• In June 1876, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse led a coalition of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors in preparation for battle against U.S. government forces.

• When Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer attacked with a small contingent of 250 soldiers, he faced overwhelming numbers of Indigenous warriors.

• The ensuing battle resulted in a disastrous defeat for Custer's forces, now historically referred to as "Custer's Last Stand," marking a high point in Native American resistance.

SITTING BULL AFTER LITTLE BIGHORN

• Following the Battle of Little Bighorn, the Sioux continued to resist U.S. encroachments, yet dwindling buffalo populations severely impacted their ability to sustain themselves.

• Sitting Bull later toured with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, showcasing Native American culture and history to wider audiences while also seeking economic opportunities.

GERONIMO

• The Apache leader Geronimo staunchly opposed both Mexican and U.S. colonization efforts, conducting numerous raids against encroaching settlers and military forces.

• His prolonged resistance culminated in his eventual surrender in 1886 after being relocated to Arizona, marking the end of organized Apache resistance.

CHIEF JOSEPH

• The Nez Perce, under Chief Joseph's leadership, faced forced removal from their traditional lands in Idaho in 1877. Chief Joseph led a renowned retreat across several states in an effort to reach Canada.

• However, the U.S. Army cut off their escape routes, leading to Chief Joseph's heartbreaking surrender, where his poignant address encapsulated the despair and loss suffered by his people in the aftermath of conflict.

WOUNDED KNEE

• In 1889, the Ghost Dance movement among Native Americans raised concerns among U.S. governmental authorities, leading to a crackdown on participants.

• The movement was perceived as a threat, leading to the attempt to arrest Sitting Bull, which ended in violence and his death.

• The aftermath of his death resulted in a tragic confrontation at Wounded Knee Creek in December 1890, culminating in a massacre that claimed numerous lives of both Sioux warriors and U.S. soldiers, marking a somber endpoint in the struggle for Native American rights.

ASSIMILATION

• The policy of assimilation sought to integrate Native Americans into mainstream American society, often through the establishment of boarding schools that emphasized Western education.

• Native American children in these institutions were systematically taught European American customs, language, and culture while being discouraged from maintaining their traditional practices.

DAWES ACT

• The Dawes Act of 1887 allowed the president to allocate individual parcels of land to Native Americans with the intention of promoting assimilation into American society.

• As a result of this policy, reservation lands were often diminished, with excess lands sold to non-Native Americans, ultimately leading to significant loss of tribal territory and livelihood.