Chapter 17 Notes

  1. Gold & Silver Rushes (1848-1874): Massive migrations spurred by the discovery of precious metals, transforming regions like California and Nevada into bustling mining centers.

  2. American Bison Slaughter: The systematic decimation of the bison population in the 19th century, driven by various factors including westward expansion, hunting for hides, and disrupting Native American cultures that depended on the bison.

  3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (The Mormons): A religious group founded by Joseph Smith, later led by Brigham Young, known for their migration to Utah seeking religious freedom and the establishment of a distinctive community.

  4. The Homestead Act (1862): Legislation providing 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, encouraging westward expansion and settlement.

  5. Independent Indians: Native American groups that resisted assimilation and retained their cultural and political autonomy in the face of U.S. government policies.

  6. The Dakota War (Sioux Uprising): Conflict between the Dakota Sioux and the U.S. government in 1862, resulting in the largest mass execution in U.S. history and increased tensions between settlers and Native Americans.

  7. The Sand Creek Massacre: A brutal attack by the U.S. Army on a Cheyenne and Arapaho village in 1864, leading to widespread condemnation and increased hostilities.

  8. Indian Peace Commission/ The Board of Indian Commissioners: Government bodies attempting to negotiate peace with Native American tribes, often with limited success.

  9. The Carlisle Indian School: An institution founded by Captain Richard Pratt in 1879, aiming to assimilate Native American children into mainstream American culture through education.

  10. Red Cloud’s War: A conflict between the U.S. government and the Oglala Lakota leader Red Cloud, resulting in the abandonment of some forts along the Bozeman Trail.

  11. The Long Walk & The Treaty of Bosque Redondo: The forced relocation of Navajo and Mescalero Apache tribes to a reservation in New Mexico, a tragic episode in the history of Native American displacement.

  12. Chief Joseph and the Nez Percé: Nez Percé leader Chief Joseph's resistance to forced removal, culminating in a famous retreat and surrender in 1877.

  13. The Transcontinental Railroad & Other Railroads: The construction of the first railroad connecting the East and West coasts, transforming transportation and facilitating westward expansion.

  14. Pacific Railroad Act: Legislation promoting the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad, linking the East and West coasts.

  15. The Rise of Chicago: Rapid urban growth and industrialization, making Chicago a major economic and cultural hub.

  16. The Cattle Drives: The movement of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas, driving the cattle industry's expansion.

  17. The Dawes General Allotment Act: Legislation aiming to assimilate Native Americans by dividing reservation lands into individual allotments, often leading to loss of tribal lands.

  18. The Ghost Dance: A religious movement among Native Americans in the late 19th century, believed to restore their traditional way of life.

  19. Wounded Knee Massacre: A tragic event in 1890 where U.S. troops killed hundreds of Lakota Sioux, marking the end of significant armed resistance by Native Americans.

  20. The “Wild West” in Popular Culture: Romanticized depictions of the American frontier in literature, art, and entertainment.

  21. Wild West Shows: Spectacular performances featuring cowboy and frontier themes, popularized by figures like Buffalo Bill Cody.

  22. William “Buffalo Bill” Cody: A legendary figure known for his Wild West shows, contributing to the popular perception of the American West.

  23. Annie Oakley: A sharpshooter and performer, renowned for her skills in Wild West shows.

  24. The Frontier Thesis: Historian Frederick Jackson Turner's concept arguing that the frontier experience shaped American democracy and individualism.