The West and the New South Chapter 26

1. WHAT GROUPS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTLING THE WEST?

MinersMiners Cattlemen/CowboysCattlemen/Cowboys FarmersFarmers

2. WHAT STATES WERE SETTLED LARGELY BECAUSE OF MINING?

ColoradoColorado Gold found near Pike’s Peak in 1859Gold found near Pike’s Peak in 1859

NevadaNevada Comstock Lode (gold) near Virginia City, NevadaComstock Lode (gold) near Virginia City, Nevada

IdahoIdaho MontanaMontana Copper in Butte, MontanaCopper in Butte, Montana

3. HOW DID MINING WORK?

First: panning for goldFirst: panning for gold Second: investors and corporations started deep shaft miningSecond: investors and corporations started deep shaft mining

4. WHAT IMPACT DID MINING HAVE ON THE WEST AND THE U.S.A?

Creation of new townsCreation of new towns Saloons, dance halls, theatres, railroads, etc.Saloons, dance halls, theatres, railroads, etc. Often became ghost towns after gold and silver ran outOften became ghost towns after gold and silver ran out Some stayed in San Francisco, Denver, and SacramentoSome stayed in San Francisco, Denver, and Sacramento

Attracted ImmigrantsAttracted Immigrants About 1/3 were Chinese in 1860sAbout 1/3 were Chinese in 1860s Typically about 50% of a town was foreign bornTypically about 50% of a town was foreign born Created resentment: Chinese Exclusion Act (first law to restrict immigration on basis of race and nationality)Created resentment: Chinese Exclusion Act (first law to restrict immigration on basis of race and nationality)

Created monetary crisisCreated monetary crisis Increase in silver supply creates inflationIncrease in silver supply creates inflation

Caused severe environmental damageCaused severe environmental damage Berkeley Pitt (Butte, Montana)Berkeley Pitt (Butte, Montana)

5. FROM WHOM DID AMERICAN COWBOYS AND CATTLEMAN LEARN THE TECHNIQUES OF THE CATTLE BUSINESS?

Mexican cowboys called vaquerosMexican cowboys called vaqueros Texas Longhorns originally came from MexicoTexas Longhorns originally came from Mexico After Civil War, 5 million longhorns roamed freely on Texas plainsAfter Civil War, 5 million longhorns roamed freely on Texas plains Cattle business started easilyCattle business started easily Cattle and land was freeCattle and land was free Called “open range” ranchingCalled “open range” ranching

6. HOW DID THE RAILROADS IMPACT THE CATTLE INDUSTRY?

They opened up eastern markets for Texas cattleThey opened up eastern markets for Texas cattle Cowboys drove cattle up Chisholm and Goodnight Loving Trails to “cow towns” of Abilene and Dodge City (RR junctions in Kansas)Cowboys drove cattle up Chisholm and Goodnight Loving Trails to “cow towns” of Abilene and Dodge City (RR junctions in Kansas) RR took cattle to Kansas City and Chicago to be slaughteredRR took cattle to Kansas City and Chicago to be slaughtered Meat then shipped eastMeat then shipped east

7. WHAT BROUGHT AN END TO “OPEN RANGE” RANCHING?

By , range was overstocked with beef, which drove prices down (less incentive to raise cattle)By , range was overstocked with beef, which drove prices down (less incentive to raise cattle) Overgrazing destroyed the grass on the plainsOvergrazing destroyed the grass on the plains Blizzard and drought of killed 90% of cattleBlizzard and drought of killed 90% of cattle Many cowboys opted for settling on ranchesMany cowboys opted for settling on ranches

Arrival of homesteaders (farmers)Arrival of homesteaders (farmers) Put up barbed wire fences, cut off access to open rangePut up barbed wire fences, cut off access to open range

8. WHAT MOTIVATED PEOPLE TO BECOME HOMESTEADERS ON THE GREAT PLAINS?

Homestead Act of 1862Homestead Act of acres of public land free to any family that settled on it for five years160 acres of public land free to any family that settled on it for five years : 500,000 families got free land : 500,000 families got free land

9. Did all the homesteaders get free land? NONO Actually, 2.5 million families had to buy their land because…Actually, 2.5 million families had to buy their land because… RR companies and speculators (profit seekers) often bought best land up and then sold it for profit to homesteadersRR companies and speculators (profit seekers) often bought best land up and then sold it for profit to homesteaders

10. WHY WERE 2/3 OF THE HOMESTEADERS UNSUCCESSFUL?

Extreme WeatherExtreme Weather Lack of ResourcesLack of Resources WaterWater TreesTrees Built homes of sod, so first settlers called “sodbusters’Built homes of sod, so first settlers called “sodbusters’ Joseph Glidden’s barbed wire provided fencingJoseph Glidden’s barbed wire provided fencing grasshoppersgrasshoppers

11. WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OKLAHOMA “LAND RUSH” OF 1889?

It was the last piece of territory to be taken from the Native Americans (since the early 19 th century, it had been designated as “Indian territory”)It was the last piece of territory to be taken from the Native Americans (since the early 19 th century, it had been designated as “Indian territory”) With the arrival of the “Sooners” in the land rush of 1889, the US Census Bureau officially declared the “frontier” closedWith the arrival of the “Sooners” in the land rush of 1889, the US Census Bureau officially declared the “frontier” closed

12. WHAT DID FREDERICK JACKSON TURNER WRITE IN 1893 AS A REACTION TO THE CLOSING OF THE FRONTIER?

His “frontier thesis” which argued…His “frontier thesis” which argued… The frontier had played a fundamental role in shaping the unique character of American society because…The frontier had played a fundamental role in shaping the unique character of American society because… It promoted independence and individualismIt promoted independence and individualism It acted as a “social leveler” by breaking down class distinctions and thus promoting democracyIt acted as a “social leveler” by breaking down class distinctions and thus promoting democracy It caused Americans to be practical and inventiveIt caused Americans to be practical and inventive It caused Americans to be wasteful toward natural resourcesIt caused Americans to be wasteful toward natural resources

Frederick Jackson Turner

13. WHY DID THE CLOSING OF THE FRONTIER WORRY TURNER?

Because it meant there was no longer a “safety valve” in the US for those people who felt unhappy about their social/economic conditionsBecause it meant there was no longer a “safety valve” in the US for those people who felt unhappy about their social/economic conditions Result: there might be European style class divisions and social conflictsResult: there might be European style class divisions and social conflicts

14. WHAT WERE THE MAJOR NATIVE AMERICAN GROUPS IN 1865?

2/3rds lived on the Great Plains2/3rds lived on the Great Plains NomadicNomadic Skilled horsemenSkilled horsemen Life centered on hunting buffaloLife centered on hunting buffalo Included Sioux, Cheyenne, ComancheIncluded Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche

1/3 rd lived in Far West1/3 rd lived in Far West SettledSettled Pueblo, Navajo, Apache, Chinook, Nez PercePueblo, Navajo, Apache, Chinook, Nez Perce

15. WHAT WAS THE RESERVATION POLICY AND WHEN DID IT START?

Started with Andrew Jackson in the 1830sStarted with Andrew Jackson in the 1830s Land west of Mississippi River would be permanent “Indian country”Land west of Mississippi River would be permanent “Indian country” By 1850, Manifest Destiny killed this conceptBy 1850, Manifest Destiny killed this concept

1851: US starts creating large “reservations” for Indians1851: US starts creating large “reservations” for Indians Indians usually ignoredIndians usually ignored

16. WHY DID THE VARIOUS INDIAN WARS TAKE PLACE BETWEEN THE US GOVERNMENT AND THE INDIANS?

Because the newly arriving white settlers and the Indians were competing for landBecause the newly arriving white settlers and the Indians were competing for land Many tribes ignored orders to get on reservationsMany tribes ignored orders to get on reservations Many whites ignored orders to stay off reservations (especially if a mineral was discovered)Many whites ignored orders to stay off reservations (especially if a mineral was discovered)

17. WHAT WERE THE MAJOR INDIAN WARS?

First Sioux War (1866)First Sioux War (1866) Second Sioux War ( )Second Sioux War ( ) George Custer is massacred at Little Big HornGeorge Custer is massacred at Little Big Horn

Bear Paw Mountain (1877)Bear Paw Mountain (1877) Chief Joseph of Nez Perce surrendersChief Joseph of Nez Perce surrenders

18. WAS ANYONE SYMPATHETIC TOWARD THE NATIVE AMERICANS?

YESYES 2 proposals2 proposals Stay off their landStay off their land Helen Hunt Jackson – wrote “A Century of Dishonor”Helen Hunt Jackson – wrote “A Century of Dishonor”

Assimilate themAssimilate them Convert them to ChristianityConvert them to Christianity Educate them to be Americans (Carlisle School in PA)Educate them to be Americans (Carlisle School in PA)

19. WHAT WAS THE DAWES SEVERALTY ACT (1887)?

Law that attempted to assimilate Indians into American culture by…Law that attempted to assimilate Indians into American culture by… Dividing tribal lands into 160 acre farms or 320 acre ranchesDividing tribal lands into 160 acre farms or 320 acre ranches Giving US citizenship to those who farmed the land for 25 years and adopted “civilized habits”Giving US citizenship to those who farmed the land for 25 years and adopted “civilized habits”

20. WAS THE DAWES ACT SUCCESSFUL?

For Indians – NOFor Indians – NO For Americans – YESFor Americans – YES 90 million acres of Indian lands were eventually sold to whites by the government or by the Indians themselves90 million acres of Indian lands were eventually sold to whites by the government or by the Indians themselves Indians population was only 200,000Indians population was only 200,000 Reservations were shrinkingReservations were shrinking

21. WHAT WAS THE “GHOST DANCE” MOVEMENT OF THE LATE 1880S

A spiritual movement by the Sioux that claimed the white man would soon disappear from their landsA spiritual movement by the Sioux that claimed the white man would soon disappear from their lands Ended when US army massacred Sioux (Lakota) at Wounded Knee and Sitting Bull was killed (Wounded Knee: marked the end of Indian Wars)Ended when US army massacred Sioux (Lakota) at Wounded Knee and Sitting Bull was killed (Wounded Knee: marked the end of Indian Wars)

22. WHAT DOES THE TERM “NEW SOUTH” REFER TO? NEW SOUTH

The South after the Civil WarThe South after the Civil War No longer totally dependent on slave labor or cottonNo longer totally dependent on slave labor or cotton Emphasized integration of South into national economy by…Emphasized integration of South into national economy by… IndustrializationIndustrialization Improvements in transportationImprovements in transportation

23. WHAT WERE FOUR MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE “NEW SOUTH”?

Economic ProgressEconomic Progress : RATE of growth surpassed all other regions of USA : RATE of growth surpassed all other regions of USA Growth of cities (Birmingham: steel, Memphis: lumber, Richmond: tobacco)Growth of cities (Birmingham: steel, Memphis: lumber, Richmond: tobacco) Growth of textile industry (cheap labor, overtook New England as chief producers of textiles)Growth of textile industry (cheap labor, overtook New England as chief producers of textiles) Growth of RR (converted to standard gauge rails; allowed all tracks to connect within South and to North and West)Growth of RR (converted to standard gauge rails; allowed all tracks to connect within South and to North and West)

Continued PovertyContinued Poverty : STILL the poorest region of the country: WHY??? : STILL the poorest region of the country: WHY??? Northern investors controlled South’s RR, steel industry, so a lot of $ went to northern banksNorthern investors controlled South’s RR, steel industry, so a lot of $ went to northern banks Industrial workers earned ½ of northern ones because they were poorly educatedIndustrial workers earned ½ of northern ones because they were poorly educated Started industrialization lateStarted industrialization late

Attempts to change agricultureAttempts to change agriculture : cotton was still dominant crop : cotton was still dominant crop Acres of cotton doubledAcres of cotton doubled Glut of cotton caused $ to drop 50%; impoverished manyGlut of cotton caused $ to drop 50%; impoverished many

Crop Lien SystemCrop Lien System Sharecropping: farmer paid portion of his crop (50%) as payment (rent) for the LAND (to landlord)Sharecropping: farmer paid portion of his crop (50%) as payment (rent) for the LAND (to landlord) Crop Lien: farmer paid portion of his crop as payment for the SUPPLIES (to store owners)Crop Lien: farmer paid portion of his crop as payment for the SUPPLIES (to store owners)

Attempts to diversifyAttempts to diversify George Washington Carver (peanuts, sweet potatoes, soybeans)George Washington Carver (peanuts, sweet potatoes, soybeans)

Racial SegregationRacial Segregation How were the gains made for African- Americans during Reconstruction reversed?How were the gains made for African- Americans during Reconstruction reversed? Civil Rights Cases of 1883: ruled Congress could not pass laws against racial discrimination practiced by individual citizensCivil Rights Cases of 1883: ruled Congress could not pass laws against racial discrimination practiced by individual citizens Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): “separate but equal” accommodations in public were constitutionalPlessy v. Ferguson (1896): “separate but equal” accommodations in public were constitutional Started Jim Crow LawsStarted Jim Crow Laws State Laws (poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clause)State Laws (poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clause) Intimidation (lynchings)Intimidation (lynchings)

24. HOW DID AFRICAN AMERICANS REACT TO THE JIM CROW SOUTH?

Some advocated migration to Kansas, Oklahoma, even AfricaSome advocated migration to Kansas, Oklahoma, even Africa Some publicly campaigned against lynching and laws (Ida Tarbell)Some publicly campaigned against lynching and laws (Ida Tarbell) Some advocated technical education to improve economic circumstancesSome advocated technical education to improve economic circumstances

Booker T. WashingtonBooker T. Washington Founded Tuskegee InstituteFounded Tuskegee Institute Atlanta Compromise: said social equality was “folly” so blacks should at least improve themselves economicallyAtlanta Compromise: said social equality was “folly” so blacks should at least improve themselves economically

W.E.B. DuBoisW.E.B. DuBois Advocated complete equalityAdvocated complete equality End segregation, implement civil rightsEnd segregation, implement civil rights

25. WHAT PROBLEMS DID FARMERS ENCOUNTER IN THE LATE 19 TH CENTURY?

A declining population of farmersA declining population of farmers 60% were farmers in % were farmers in % were farmers in % were farmers in 1900

Rising CostRising Cost New machines were expensiveNew machines were expensive Shipping prices were fixed by RR companies (lack of competition)Shipping prices were fixed by RR companies (lack of competition)

Falling prices=debtFalling prices=debt Due to competition from the rest of the worldDue to competition from the rest of the world Wheat: per bushel in 1867 = $2.00; in 1889 = $0.70Wheat: per bushel in 1867 = $2.00; in 1889 = $0.70

26. HOW DID THE FARMERS FIGHT BACK?

National Grange MovementNational Grange Movement Formed cooperatives: businesses owned by farmers that kept costs downFormed cooperatives: businesses owned by farmers that kept costs down Forced law makers to regulate shipping costs (RR)Forced law makers to regulate shipping costs (RR) Short hauls were more expensive because of lack of competitionShort hauls were more expensive because of lack of competition

Interstate Commerce ActInterstate Commerce Act Said RR must charge “reasonable and just” ratesSaid RR must charge “reasonable and just” rates Created Interstate Commerce Commission to enforceCreated Interstate Commerce Commission to enforce

Ocala Platform (1890) and formation of Populist PartyOcala Platform (1890) and formation of Populist Party Attacked both Democrats and RepublicansAttacked both Democrats and Republicans

27. WHAT DID THE OCALA PLATFORM – WRITTEN BY THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE – DEMAND?

Direct election of senatorsDirect election of senators Lower tariff ratesLower tariff rates Graduated income taxGraduated income tax New banking system regulated by federal governmentNew banking system regulated by federal government Increase money in circulation so as to inflate prices of cropsIncrease money in circulation so as to inflate prices of crops