The Western Frontier Challenges and Conflict on the Plains

What are some of the factors that led to increased settlement of the Great Plains? Railroads Desire for new farm and ranch land –Homestead Act –Timber Culture Act –Desert Act

What challenges faced Homesteaders on the Plains? Isolation Natural disasters… –Blizzards –Droughts –Insects/Pests “breaking” the soil Access to markets Lack of ground water –Drove the need for effective windmills

Why were there conflicts sometimes between Homesteaders and Cattle Drivers? Competition –As more homesteaders settled the Plains there was less… Grazing land Access to water –“Range wars” would sometimes take place

Why were there conflicts between Plains Indians and US Government? Settlers and miners wanted to use Native American lands As a result, the US government created the reservation system Examples… –The Sioux Wars of the 1860s and the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 –The Nez Perce’ and Chief Joseph

How did the Government handle the conflicts with Native Americans? Reservation System –Prevented Indians from hunting buffalo –Deprived Indians of many cultural traditions –Goal was to assimilate Indians into American society Dawes Act –Split up reservations –Hoped to encourage farming amongst the Plains Indians –Excess land was sold to other settlers Money generated from sales went to Indian boarding schools