Ch. 2 pt. 1 — US HISTORY

Chapter 2: The Western Frontier, 1862-1900

Louise Weasel Bear's Statement

  • "We tried to run, but they shot us like we were buffalo."

    • Quote from a survivor of the Wounded Knee Massacre (1890).

The Ghost Dance Movement

  • Wovoka, a Paiute Indian, had a vision predicting a return to pre-colonial times and told Indians to perform the Ghost Dance.

  • The dance aimed to restore Indian autonomy and rid the land of white settlers.

  • The movement incited fear among whites, prompting military response.

  • U.S. Army intervened, believing Sitting Bull was leading the unrest.

Incident Leading to Wounded Knee Massacre

  • Sitting Bull's Arrest (December 15, 1890):

    • Attempt by U.S. officials to arrest Sitting Bull resulted in chaos and fatalities, including his death and several followers.

  • Big Foot's Surrender:

    • Following Sitting Bull's death, Big Foot surrendered with his band, leading to their relocation to Wounded Knee.

The Wounded Knee Massacre (December 29, 1890)

  • Big Foot and followers were surrounded and ordered to surrender weapons.

  • Tensions escalated, culminating in gunfire:

    • Result: 250 Native Americans killed, including women and children.

  • The event symbolized the end of violent Indian suppression during westward expansion.

Westward Migration and Settlement (1862-1900)

  • Post-Civil War era marked by mass migrations into the western territories by diverse groups:

    • Immigrants from China, Europe, African Americans from the South, and Hispanics from the Southwest seeking opportunities.

  • Government encouraged settlement through public land distribution and support for railroad construction.

Characteristics of Migrants

  • Uriah Wesley Oblinger's Observation:

    • Noted influx of settlers in 1872 looking for homesteads.

  • Over 2 million people moved to the West in the last four decades of the 19th century, contributing significantly to agriculture.

  • Great Plains became primary area for new settlements despite harsh conditions (low rainfall, lack of lumber).

The Diverse Nature of the West

  • Several sub-regions including the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin with unique cultural and environmental characteristics.

  • Settlement methods varied, influenced by geographical features and socio-economic backgrounds of settlers.

Social and Economic Developments

  • The West reflected both traditional and new economic practices mirroring earlier Eastern societal structures:

    • Larger business interests dominated, transforming former mining camps into established communities.

  • Cultural Perceptions: The West became an embodiment of rugged individualism and opportunity in the American psyche.

Role of Federal Government in Settlement

  • Homestead Act (1862): Allowed citizens to claim land by living and cultivating it. However, exploited by land speculators, leading to large land holdings.

  • Other Acts promoted land acquisition but often favored corporations over individual farmers.

  • The creation of territories allowed federal control and planning ahead of statehood.

Railroad Expansion and Labor

  • Pacific Railroad Act (1862): Aimed to create a transcontinental railroad with federal backing.

  • Labor largely comprised Chinese immigrants and other marginalized groups, often facing harsh conditions and discrimination.

  • Railroad construction facilitated rapid population movement and economic development.

Native Cultures Under Assault

  • The arrival of settlers led to violent conflicts and systematic suppression of Native American cultures:

    • Native perspectives on land ownership differed fundamentally from Western ideals.

    • Plains Indians faced destruction of their traditional lifestyles and resources.

Indian Wars and Treaties

  • Increasingly desperate and violent encounters led to treaties that forced Native Americans onto reservations, often failing to provide sustainable living conditions.

  • Clash of cultures: Native Americans' communal land view vs. white individualism and ownership.

  • Despite attempts at peaceful coexistence, violent conflicts continued, resulting in harsh retaliatory measures by the U.S. government.

The Myth of the West

  • Portraits of the West emphasized individualism and exploited narratives around hunting and land ownership.

  • Pop culture, including dime novels and Wild West shows, fed a mythological view of the frontier and reinforced racial stereotypes.

Economic Exploitation and Environmental Impact

  • Mining emerged as a major economic driver, but led to labor exploitation and environmental degradation due to practices like hydraulic mining.

  • Cattle ranching boomed post-Civil War but faced collapse through overgrazing and adverse weather conditions, leading to changes in farming methods and crop types.

Life on the Frontier

  • Life in the West often involved hardship and struggle, affecting women particularly through labor and isolation on homesteads.

  • Racial discrimination characterized interactions between white settlers and other ethnic groups, especially Chinese and Hispanic communities.

Conclusion: The Transformation of the West

  • Despite ideals of opportunity and self-sufficiency, many settlers faced economic challenges and loss of traditional lifestyles, shaping the complex legacy of the American West.