1. The Western Crossroads
War in the West
Western Farmers
Cattle Boom
Mining Boom

2. iThink Moment America: Story of Us
Heartland (Unit covering a developing nation)
What differences do you notice in the American landscape compared to what we have previously studied?
Society – interactions among people
Technology – advancements made
Economy – trade
Government – decisions made for the people
Culture – way of life
Write down at least 5 examples that you notice in this video and explain your comparisons.

3. Bell Ringer – INTO THE WEST
Write down the attitudes held by whites about Native Americans, the frustration of Native Americans, and the hope that whites have out in the West.
Watch the first 20 minutes.

4. Main Ideas
The settlement of the West dramatically altered the way of life of the Plains Indians.
Settlers and Native Americans fought for land and cultural traditions.

5. Indian Country Moved to west of Miss. River
Treaty of Fort Laramie promises help from white gov’t
Bureau of Indian Affairs manages the situation

6. Years of Struggle
Native Americans realize they cannot live on reservations
Peace is short lived among NA and gov’t
Battle of Little Bighorn and Massacre at Wounded Knee
End of bloody resistance

7. Assure survival through assimilation
End of resistance
Assure survival through assimilation
Dawes Act = Native Americans receive 160 acres of land for farming

8. The Western Crossroads
War in the West
Western Farmers
Cattle Boom
Mining Boom

9. Bell ringer
You are a farmer in the Mississippi Valley where land has grown expensive. The government will give you 160 acres of land in Oklahoma, but you are unfamiliar with the land and the climate there and you will be separated from most of your family.
Will you move to Oklahoma anyway?
What are some of the challenges that you might face heading out West?

10. Main Ideas
Discuss how the U.S. government promoted economic development in the West. Explain how the environment influenced farming practices and daily life in the West. Describe the difficulties that farm families faced on the Great Plains.

11. Economic Development in the West
Homestead Act – 160 acres of land, title after 5 years
Pacific Railway Act – development of railroads
Competition for land is fierce

12. Moving West Groups that moved to the West looked for racial tolerance
Economic opportunity
Escape violence
Farming

13. Western Environments
Short supply of water leads to development of irrigation systems
James Oliver (South Bend, IN) develops farm equipment = competition
Bonanza farms do not last long due to low profit

15. Farm Life on the Plains “Survival of the Fittest”
Sodhouses made living difficult
Life in West demands work from every family member

16. The Western Crossroads
War in the West
Western Farmers
Cattle Boom
Mining Boom

17. Main Ideas
Discuss how cattle and sheep ranching developed in the West.
Explain what life was like for cowboys and residents of cattle towns.
Describe the role that mining played in bringing more people west.
Explain how the arrival of families changed life in mining camps.

18. Ranching in the West Cattle ranching grows rapidly after Civil War
Cowboys begin to arrive on the scene
Cattle towns prosper from cattle drives
Free grazing makes ranching profitable

19. End of the Cattle Boom Establish large investment companies
Boom lasts for 20 years
Supply exceeds demand
Price drops from $35 to $8
Barbed wire would limit access to land and water

20. The Mining Boom Heading out West has profit with gold and silver
No one realized the treasure behind “Seward’s Folly”
2 cents an acre
Leads to the Klondike Gold Rush

22. Life in Mining Communities
Mining leads to competition and discrimination
Camps turn into permanent communities
Creation of Unions due to injury and death on the work site
Territories apply for statehood