(1158) American Pageant Chapter 26 APUSH Review

Settlement of the Great Plains (1865-1896)

Overview

• Focus on the Trans-Mississippi West, particularly the patterns of settlement and daily life of farmers.

• There was active promotion by the federal government for economic development and strategic westward expansion to foster settlement in these territories.

Homestead Act

• Passed in 1862 during the tumultuous period of the Civil War, aimed at encouraging westward settlement.

• Offered up to 160 acres of public land for any individual who lived on and improved the land for five consecutive years, a significant opportunity for newly settled families and immigrants.

Limitations and Challenges:

• Quality of Land: Many plots were located in regions with poor soil quality, limiting agricultural success.

• Cost Issues: High upfront costs for farming supplies, tools, and equipment posed significant financial barriers to potential farmers.

• Environmental Challenges: Settlers faced harsh conditions including frequent droughts, extreme temperatures, and locational isolation.

• Fraudulent Land Claims: Speculators often exploited the Homestead Act, contributing to widespread loss of opportunities for genuine farmers who sought land legitimately.

• Market Instability: Fluctuating crop prices created economic instability, making it difficult for farmers to sustain their livelihoods.

Pacific Railroad Act

• This act, also passed in 1862, authorized federal support for the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.

• The government provided crucial monetary support and extensive land subsidies to railroad companies, fostering the development of transportation networks essential for western commerce.

• The railroad was completed in 1869, dramatically transforming western life and enabling faster transportation of goods and settlement.

Economy of the West

Boom-and-Bust Cycles:

• The economy saw cyclic trends of periods of economic prosperity especially in mining, followed by dramatic collapses.

• Notable mining booms included the California Gold Rush (1849-1855), the Pikes Peak Gold Discovery in 1858, and the Comstock Lode in 1859, which played crucial roles in Nevada’s rapid statehood.

Mining Conditions:

• Life in mining towns was often dangerous due to the risky nature of mining operations and the rapid population growth which led to lawlessness.

• Towns attracted a diverse immigrant population, including significant numbers of Chinese immigrants who contributed workforce and culture.

• Mining practices often led to severe environmental degradation, particularly from methods such as hydraulic mining, which devastated local ecosystems.

Cattle Industry

• The growth of the cattle ranching industry evolved from traditional methods rooted in Spanish and Mexican cowboy culture (known as vaqueros).

• Cattle were driven along open grasslands to markets in the East via newly constructed railroads, with towns like Dodge City and Abilene, Kansas becoming critical trading hubs.

Challenges Include:

• Climate Issues: Harsh winters caused significant cattle losses, underscoring the vulnerability of ranching.

• Land Conflicts: Rising numbers of barbed wire fences due to farmers led to tensions and conflicts between cattlemen and farmers over grazing land.

Myth vs. Reality

• The romanticized portrayal of the American West in popular media often glossed over the brutal realities of frontier life, including hardships faced by settlers and indigenous populations.

• Cultural Diversity: The influx of Chinese immigrants was significant; however, they faced severe discrimination which led to the implementation of the Chinese Exclusion Act. This era also saw the participation of African Americans and Mexicans in cowboy culture, alongside unique community dynamics shaped by discrimination and adversity.

Native American Life

• Focus on Plains Indians: tribes such as the Sioux, Blackfoot, Crow, and Comanche were heavily reliant on bison hunting for their sustenance.

• Changes in Lifestyle: European settlers introduced horses, firearms, alcohol, and diseases that drastically altered the Native American way of life.

• Violence and Conflict: Increased violence and conflicts stemmed from westward expansion, notably illustrated by tragic events such as the Sand Creek Massacre (1864).

• Significant confrontations included the Battle of Little Bighorn (1876), where the Sioux achieved a notable victory against General Custer, followed by severe U.S. military reprisals, and the Battle of Wounded Knee (1890), marking a tragic end to major Native American resistance.

U.S. Government Policies

• The federal response to Native American cultures included efforts at assimilation through the establishment of boarding schools such as Carlisle Indian School aimed at eradicating native cultures.

• The Dawes Severalty Act (1887) sought to individualize land ownership among Native Americans, an initiative that largely failed and further eroded tribal identities.

• The narrative of westward expansion often neglected the suffering and displacement experienced by Native Americans, a theme caught in Frederick Jackson Turner’s “Frontier Thesis,” which emphasized the impact of closing the frontier on American identity while criticized for ignoring the existing populations affected by this closure.

Farmers' Struggles and Organizations

• Transition to commercialized farming centered around single cash crops, often leading to economic dependence.

• Economic struggles were driven by falling crop prices, high machinery costs, and monopolistic control of railroads leading to enhanced operational costs for farmers.

• Farmers organized into movements such as the Grange Movement, focusing on education, social gatherings, and demands for reforms to improve their conditions.

• The Farmers Alliance emerged later, advocating for collective actions to address issues while, unfortunately, excluding significant groups from participation.

• The emergence of the Populist Party in 1892 advocated for comprehensive reforms, including government control of railroads, free silver coinage, and an increased money supply to combat deflation and support farmers.

Labor Issues and Economic Crises

• Labor tensions were pivotal during this period, exemplified by notable strikes such as the Homestead Strike (1892) and the Pullman Strike (1894), which highlighted discontent and unrest among workers.

• Economic instability following the Panic of 1893 led to public demonstrations including Coxey’s Army marching to D.C. demanding governmental intervention in job creation and economic relief.

The Election of 1896

• The key political contest between Republican William McKinley and Democrat William Jennings Bryan revolved around contentious issues including the advocacy for silver coinage and monetary policy.

• McKinley’s victory resulted in a significant decline of the Populist Party, marking a pivotal shift in American political dynamics at the end of the 19th century.

Conclusion

• The Trans-Mississippi West period reveals a complex web of struggle, innovation, and transformation in American society, highlighting the crucial interplay between expansion, economy, and the fates of diverse groups, all contributing to the narrative of American history.