Chapter 18: Section 1 In 1858 gold was found in Colorado. Many prospectors flocked to the area. Boomtowns emerged where gold and silver were found. Population rose greatly in the West.

Railroads Railroads transported gold and silver to market and brought supplies to mining towns. The amount of railroad track grew greatly from 1865 to 1890.

Transcontinental Railroad A railroad was needed to connect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Workers toiled in harsh conditions for low wages to lay the needed tracks. Construction was finished in May of 1869.

Lasting effects of the railroads Railroads also brought more settlers to the west and helped to develop more towns. Trains became faster and more efficient.

Section 1 questions: 1. What and where was Comstock Lode? 2. Who were vigilantes? 3. Why were railroads important to the West? 4. Why would a town want a railroad station? 5. Who was Leland Stanton?

Section 2: Cattle Cattle were raised in the west and then the beef was shipped back east. At first, cattle drives were used. Cattle roamed free and were herded by cowhands. Ranching eventually replaced cattle drives.

Reasons for settling in the Plains: Railroads made the journey west easier and less expensive. New laws offered free lands (The Homestead Act of 1862). Above-average rainfall in the late 1870’s made the land better suited for farming.

Challenges of Farming on the Frontier: The climate was very harsh in the region. Flooding, drought, brushfires, and winds wreaked havoc on farms. Farming required much physical labor and often children did not attend school.

Section 2 Questions 1. Why was the Long Drive important to those who owned cattle? 2. How did vaqueros influence American cowhands? 3. What did it mean to homestead land? 4. Who were the Exodusters? 5. How successful were the sodbusters?

Section 3: Native Americans Conflicts and competition for land were the major issues.

Reservations: tracts of land set aside for Native Americans In 1876, the federal government began creating reservations for Native Americans. Reservations were often located in undesirable locations. Most Native Americans did not want to move and conflicts continued.

Little Bighorn A conflict over the Black Hills of the Dakotas led to a major battle. Sitting Bull, a leader of the Native Americans, and his forces defeated General Custer and his troops at the Battle at Little Bighorn.

Dawes Act of 1887 This law passed by Congress called for the end of Reservations. Reformers hoped to assimilate Native Americans into a farming way of life.

Wounded Knee Sitting Bull is killed and Native Americans lose an important leader. A small battle took place which marked the end of conflicts between the U.S. and the Native Americans.

Section 3 questions 1. What was the purpose of the Indian Peace Commission? 2. What are 5 factors that changed Native American life? 3. What happened at Wounded Knee?

Section 4: Farming Life Farmers faced economic difficulties as prices paid for crops dropped while expenses rose greatly. The National Grange formed as a farmers’ organization. The Farmers’ Alliances also grew to help farmers succeed.

The Populist Party They believed the government, not private companies, should own railroads and telegraph lines. They also supported political and labor reforms. They also called for a national income tax.

Section 4 Questions 1. What two organizations formed to help farmers? 2. What were cooperatives? 3. What issues were important to the Populist party? 1. What changes did the Populists make in the United States?