1. CHANGES ON THE WESTERN FRONTIER
CHAPTER 5:
US History
Mr. Basich

2. Timeline: What’s Going On?
World:
1869 – Suez Canal is opened.
1900 – Boxer Rebellion takes place in China.
United States:
1881 – James Garfield is assassinated – Chester Arthur becomes President.
1890 – Sioux are massacred at Wounded Knee.

3. Section 1: Objectives By the end of this lesson I will be able to:
1. Contrast the cultures of Native Americans and white settlers and explain why white settlers moved west.
2. Identify restrictions imposed by the government on Native Americans and describe the consequences.
3. Identify the government’s policy of assimilation as well as continuing conflicts between Native Americans and settlers.

4. Section 1: Cultures Clash On The Prairie
Main Idea: The cattle industry boomed in the late 1800’s, as the culture of the Plains Indians declined.
Why it Matters Now: Today, ranchers and Plains Indians work to preserve their cultural traditions.
Key Terms:
Great Plains
Treaty of Fort Laramie
Assimilation
Dawes Act
Battle of Wounded Knee
Key Terms / Names:
Sitting Bull
George A. Custer

5. How is everyone feeling today?
Great
Good
Average
Not so good
Bad 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

6. SECTION 1: CULTURES CLASH ON THE PRAIRIE
The Indians had little contact with the “white man”
Great Plains – the grassland extending through the west-central portion of the US.
The Great Plains were hunting grounds for the Indians
THE GREAT PLAINS

7. BUFFALO WERE USED FOR FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING
THE BUFFALO
The Spanish had brought buffalo to America
The Indians hunted the buffalo
Uses:
1. Food
2. Clothing
3. Bones for tools and weapons
BUFFALO WERE USED FOR FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING

8. FAMILY LIFE ON THE PLAINS
Men were hunters, while women helped butcher the game and prepare it
This is called a hunter-gatherer community.
Tribes were very spiritual and no one “owned” the land….Until the “white man” came

9. Why was the buffalo so important to the plains Indians?
They were more plentiful than horses
They were faster than horses
They could be used for many purposes
They weren’t that important
:30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

10. SETTLERS PUSH WESTWARD
The white settlers began to push Westward in search of land to start a living
Since no one “owned” the land – they took it!
Soon, gold was discovered in Colorado
This lead hundreds of thousands of settlers west into the Great Plains
A COVERED WAGON HEADS WEST

11. THE GOVERNMENT RESTRICTS NATIVES
The U.S. government backed the settlers in disputes with the Indians
Railroad companies began to lay track right through Indian lands
The Indians will soon begin to fight back
RAILROADS GREATLY IMPACTED NATIVE LIFE

12. Why did the settlers continue to pursue land in the West?
The government supported them
The railroads supported them
They found gold
All of the above 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

13. NATIVES AND SETTLERS CLASH
Initially, the government set aside land for the Indians
Then they went back on their decision and had their military enforce the law
Massacre at Sand Creek; US military attack killing 150 native women and children
Sand Creek was the first major attack on the Indians

14. Death On The Bozeman Trail:
Bozeman Trail – traveling trail that ran directly through Indian hunting grounds.
Whites and Indians fought over this land.
The Treaty of Laramie closed the trail and moved the Indians to a reservation.
Sitting Bull - the leader of the Sioux, didn’t sign the treaty.

16. Lesson One: Objectives (cont.)
By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
1. Identify restrictions imposed by the government on Native Americans and describe the consequences.
2. Identify the government’s policy of assimilation as well as continuing conflicts between Native Americans and settlers.

17. Did You Have a Nice Weekend?
Yes No
It wasn’t bad 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

18. OTHER CONFLICTS AND BATTLES
Custer’s Last Stand occurred in early 1876 when Colonel George A. Custer - leader of the 7th Calvary) reached Little Big Horn
Led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, the natives crushed Custer’s troops
They won because they knew the “lay of the land”
ONE OF THE FEW NATIVE VICTORIES WAS LITTLE BIG HORN

19. What was the best reason why the Indians didn’t want to give up their land?
Money
Hunting
Room for more homes
None of the above 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

20. The Battle of Little Big Horn

21. What was the main reason why Custer was beat by Sitting Bull?30
The Indians had superior weaponry
Custer’s troops didn’t want to fight
The Indians had a tactical advantage
Custer ran out of ammunition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

22. FAMOUS DEPICTION OF NATIVE STRUGGLE
THE DAWES ACT
White settlers wanted the Indians to be more like them
Assimilation – A plan under which Native Americans would give up their beliefs and way of life and become a part of the white culture.
The Dawes Act called for the break up of reservations and the introduction of natives into American life
Most Indian land would soon become white land
FAMOUS DEPICTION OF NATIVE STRUGGLE

23. NATIVE LANDS BY 1894

24. What was the point of the Dawes Act?
To get the Indians to act more like the settlers
To allow the Indians to live in peace
To force the Indians to work for the settlers
To give the Indians money for their troubles 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

25. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BUFFALO
Whites began to hunt buffalo for fur and sport (sometimes from trains) – they would only take the fur
1800: 65 million buffalo roamed the plains
1890: less than 1000 remained
Indians saw this as a insult and a waste of resources

26. The settlers killing the buffalo was:
An insult to the Indians
Harmful to the Indians food supply
A way to control the Indians
All of the above 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

27. HUNDREDS OF CORPSES WERE LEFT TO FREEZE ON THE GROUND
BATTLE OF WOUNDED KNEE
The Seventh Cavalry (Custer’s old regiment) rounded up 350 Sioux and took them to Wounded Knee, S.D.
A shot was fired – within minutes the Seventh Cavalry slaughtered 300 unarmed Natives
This became known as the Battle of Wounded Knee.
HUNDREDS OF CORPSES WERE LEFT TO FREEZE ON THE GROUND

29. Did We Meet Our Objectives?
Can You:
1. Contrast the cultures of Native Americans and white settlers and explain why white settlers moved west.
2. Identify restrictions imposed by the government on Native Americans and describe the consequences.
3. Identify the government’s policy of assimilation as well as continuing conflicts between Native Americans and settlers.

30. Section 2: Objectives By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
1. Explain the rapid settlement of the Great Plains due to homesteading.
2. Describe how early settlers survived on the plains and transformed them into profitable farm land.

31. Section 2: Settling On The Great Plains
Main Idea: Settlers on the Great Plains transformed the land despite great hardships.
Why it Matters Now: The Great Plains region remains the breadbasket of the United States.
Key Terms:
Homestead Act
Exoduster
Key Terms:
Morrill Act
Bonanza Farm

32. Spirit Week Makes Me Feel:32
Extremely Happy
Happy
Nothing at all
Unhappy
Extremely Unhappy 30

33. SECTION 2: SETTLING ON THE GREAT PLAINS
The West was expanding rapidly – the transcontinental railroad (connected East and West of the USA) helped this
1862 – Congress passed Homestead Act which allowed 160 free acres to any “head of household”

34. The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1868
The transcontinental railroad was completed in The Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads met in Promontory Point, Utah and laid a Golden Spike

36. The Homestead Act’s main goal was to:
Provide settlers with food to live
Provide settlers with enough land to start their lives
Provide settlers with nothing.
None of the above 30
0 of 32

37. SETTLERS ENCOUNTER HARDSHIPS
The frontier settlers faced extreme hardships – droughts, floods, fires, blizzards, locust plagues, and bandits
Even so, 50 years later 30% of Americans lived west of the Mississippi River. – only 1% in 19=850.
LOCUST SWARM

38. INCREASED TECHNOLOGY HELPS FARMERS
1837 – John Deere invented a steel plow that could slice through heavy soil
1847 – Cyrus McCormick mass-produced a reaping machine
Other inventions included a grain drill to plant seed, barbed wire, and corn binder
JOHN DEERE’S STEEL PLOW HAD TO BE PULLED BY A HORSE OR MULE

39. ECONOMIC DISTRESS HITS FARMERS
Between 1867 and 1887 the price of a bushel of wheat fell from $2.00 to 68 cents
WHY?
Railroad companies charged the farmers high prices to ship grain to buyers
In response, a new type of farm emerged called a Bonanza farm.
Bonanza Farm – huge single-crop farms of 15,000 – 50,000 acres.

40. Did We Meet Our Objectives?
Can You:
1. Explain the rapid settlement of the Great Plains due to homesteading.
2. Describe how early settlers survived on the plains and transformed them into profitable farm land.

41. Section 3: Objectives By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
1. Identify the problems farmers faced and their cooperative efforts to solve them.
2. Explain the rise and fall of the Populist Party.

42. Section 3: Farmers And The Populist Movement
Main Idea: Farmers united to address their economic problems, giving rise to the Populist movement.
Why it Matters Now: Many of the Populist reform issues, such as income tax and legally protected rights of workers, are now taken for granted.
Key Terms:
Grange
Farmers’ Alliances
Populism
Bimetallism
Gold Standard
Key Names:
Oliver Hudson Kelley
William McKinley
William Jennings Bryan

43. Lesson Two Review:
1862 – Congress passed Homestead Act which allowed 160 free acres to any “head of household”
Many flocked to the “open range” to start their lives – huge farms
Since so many were producing excess crops, prices fell drastically
Railroads also started to charge extremely high prices for crop transportation
Farmers couldn’t keep up and fell into great debt
In addition, bad weather spells were wreaking havoc on the crops
Who will help the farmers? Let’s find out!

44. This weekend I am: Staying home Going out of town Not sure :30 1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

45. FARMERS ORGANIZE FOR CHANGE
The Grange was created to fight the railroad abuses
Soon the Grange and other Farmer Alliances – (Those who supported the farmers) numbered over 4 million members

46. What issue(s) were the farmers facing during this time period?
Tough weather
Decrease in crop prices
Tough legislation from the Railroads
Debt
All of the above 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

47. Why were the farmers fighting the Railroads?30
They weren’t traveling to their towns
The seats were uncomfortable
They were charging high prices to use their services.
None of the above 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

48. THIS POLITICAL CARTOON SHOWS A POPULIST CLUBBING A RAILROAD CAR
POPULIST PARTY IS BORN
How do you get something changed? – GET POLITICAL!!!
Populism – the movement of the people
The Populist or People’s Party was formed
THIS POLITICAL CARTOON SHOWS A POPULIST CLUBBING A RAILROAD CAR

50. What was the main goal of the populist party?
To protect the people (farmers) from unjust business practices
To enhance their own political power
To try to run the Railroad companies out of business
To build cities 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

51. What did the Populists want?
POPULIST REFORMS
What did the Populists want?
1. A rise in crop prices
2. Lower taxes
3. Loans for farmers
4. 8-hr. workday
Political Reforms;
1. Direct election of senators
2. Single terms for presidents

52. Which reform was NOT a part of the populist party’s movement?
8 hour workday
Direct election of senators
Lower taxes
More land
Increase of money supply 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

54. SILVER OR GOLD?
The central issue of the 1896 Presidential campaign – how is our money backed?
Bimetallism - those who favored using both gold and silver
Gold Standard – American dollar would be backed just by gold
Why did it matter?
People regarded paper money as worthless unless it could be exchanged for gold or silver.

55. BRYAN AND THE “CROSS OF GOLD”
Republicans favored the Gold standard and nominated William McKinley
Democrats favored Bimetallism and nominated William Jennings Bryan
Despite Bryan’s stirring words, “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold,” McKinley won the 1896 election
BRYAN’S CROSS OF GOLD SPEECH

58. Populism left two important legacies:
THE END OF POPULISM
With McKinley’s election victory, Populism collapsed, burying the hopes of the farmer
Populism left two important legacies:
1) A message that the downtrodden can organize and be heard and
2) An agenda of reforms, many of which would be enacted in the 20th century
The People’s Party Ended But Left An Important Legacy Leading to Progressivism

59. Even though populism failed at this time, why was it important?
So the people knew the government was more powerful
The people realized that they had a voice
None of the above 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

60. Did We Meet Our Objectives?
Can You?
1. Identify the problems farmers faced and their cooperative efforts to solve them.
2. Explain the rise and fall of the Populist Party.