Industrialization, Westward Expansion, Immigration, and Urbanization 2-2: Homesteaders, Cowboys, Indians, and the Populists

Homesteaders on the Plains What were the factors that led to people settling the Great Plains (area stretching from northern Texas to North Dakota)? Wanted out of crowded cities back East Had nothing left after Civil War Wanted a chance to build their own lives/start over The Homestead Act: Law passed during the Civil War, gave 150-160 acres of land to a person, for a small fee (10$). “Homesteaders” had to “improve” (build a house) the land and stay on it for 5 years to get full ownership. The transcontinental railroad being built As it was built, small towns on the plains sprung up next to it

Cowboys and Miners Many people went west to mine for gold, silver Others took up working as cowboys (the American concept of a cowboy was borrowed from the Mexicans), driving herds of cattle from the open range--large expanses of pasture land where beef cattle could graze Driving cattle on the cattle trails to the railroad was profitable, for a time, until the open range was fenced in by barbed wire

Wars with Native Americans The last 20 years of the 19th century was filled with conflict between the U.S. government, and the tribes of the Plains Indians (Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche) Conflicts Sand Creek Massacre: U.S. attack Cheyenne natives waving a white flag, mow down over 100 people, mostly women and children Battle of Little Bighorn: Indian leaders annihilate General George Custer, and 267 other men from his cavalry regiment. It’s the last victory by natives over the U.S. Wounded Knee: 200 Sioux men, women, and children are mowed down by Gatling guns, after there is a misunderstanding when they are turning in their weapons

The Dawes Act and Assimilation The U.S. government makes attempts to get Native Americans to assimilate (adopt the lifestyle of whites) They passed the Dawes Act which awarded 160 acres of land to individual natives who would settle down and farm the private property It was meant to discourage the life of communal living on reservations—land set aside by the government where the tribes could live Ultimately most natives did not take advantage of the Dawes Act, because they didn’t want to abandon their way of life

The Populists The Populists were a third political party made up primarily of farmers, and built their platform on voicing farmer’s concerns They started the Grange Movement, which was a national association of farmer’s organizations Many farmers had been affected negatively by big businesses Banks (were predatory lenders on farmers, re-possessed homes when farmers couldn’t make payments) Railroads and Grain elevators (overcharged farmers to ship and store grain) The Populists also sought to cut down on corruption in politics They wanted: Direct election of Senators Free coinage of silver (would raise crop prices), known as bimetallism

Populist campaigns 1892: Populists run James Weaver as a third party candidate, he doesn’t win, but gets more than a million votes 1896: Populists ally with Democrats and support William Jennings Bryan, who loses because he is drastically outspent by the pro- business campaign of William McKinley After this, the Populists die out as a party, but some of their ideas do eventually live on

Comprehension Questions Describe the campaigns of the Populists in 1892 and 1896, and explain why they lost their campaign in 1896. Describe 2 conflicts between Native Americans and the U.S. government. Be detailed about what happened in each event