1. Changes on the Western Frontier (1860 – 1900) 1. Culture of the Plains Indians Native Americans saw land as belonging to no one. Native Americans saw land as belonging to no one. Viewed white customs of farming & mining as disturbing the harmony between the natural & spirit world. Viewed white customs of farming & mining as disturbing the harmony between the natural & spirit world. Buffalo was vital to survival of Plains Indians (food, clothing, shelter). Buffalo was vital to survival of Plains Indians (food, clothing, shelter).

2. By the Civil War → tribes of Native Americans had been pushed to the Great Plains European diseases (cholera, and smallpox), weapons (rifle and cannon), and food shortages (buffalo) had reduced the once great tribes to a fraction of their former numbers 1851: Fort Laramie- govt signed treaties with some tribes – creating the reservation system

3. 2.Reasons for American Settlement of the West 1) inexpensive / abundant land 2) hopes of finding gold or silver 3) escape persecution / fresh start (ex: former slaves, Mormons, etc.) 3.Clash Between Settlers & Indians Settlers felt they had a right to land b/c Indians hadn’t “improved” it (farming / building). Settlers felt they had a right to land b/c Indians hadn’t “improved” it (farming / building). U.S. govt. changed its Indian policies & restricted Indian land to smaller reservations. U.S. govt. changed its Indian policies & restricted Indian land to smaller reservations. Many Indians ignored govnt. treaties and hunted on old lands anyway, often clashing w/ settlers. Many Indians ignored govnt. treaties and hunted on old lands anyway, often clashing w/ settlers.

4. 4.Sand Creek Massacre (1864) Cheyenne Indians were peacefully camped at Sand Creek reservation for winter. Cheyenne Indians were peacefully camped at Sand Creek reservation for winter. Govt. leaders wanted to see Indians suffer – ordered U.S. soldiers to attack, killing over 400→150 Cheyenne women & children. Govt. leaders wanted to see Indians suffer – ordered U.S. soldiers to attack, killing over 400→150 Cheyenne women & children.

5. 5. Escalation of Problems 1866→ Sioux responded by attacking soldiers & civilians working on the Bozeman Trail in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains 1866→ Sioux responded by attacking soldiers & civilians working on the Bozeman Trail in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains one of the few victories for the Indians one of the few victories for the Indians 1868 → Govt. signs a treaty giving up the Bozeman Trail and guaranteed the land for the Sioux 1868 → Govt. signs a treaty giving up the Bozeman Trail and guaranteed the land for the Sioux 1874 → gold discovered in the Black Hills of South Dakota 1874 → gold discovered in the Black Hills of South Dakota location was part of the Sioux reservation location was part of the Sioux reservation

6. 6. Battle of Little Bighorn or Custer’s Last Stand - 1876 Sioux, Arapaho, Cheyenne Indians Sioux, Arapaho, Cheyenne Indians protested as whites searched Black Hills for gold (N. Great Plains region) wanted to protect hunting grounds. wanted to protect hunting grounds. June 1876, General George Custer June 1876, General George Custer & 265 of his troops met by 2,500 Sioux at Little Bighorn in Montana. Within an hour, Indians won battle. Custer & all of his men were dead. Within an hour, Indians won battle. Custer & all of his men were dead. Bloody conflicts between whites & Native Americans led to greater disdain (hostility/disgust) toward Indian culture. Bloody conflicts between whites & Native Americans led to greater disdain (hostility/disgust) toward Indian culture.

7. 7.U.S. Government Adopts Indian Assimilation Policy (1880s – 1900) Govt. hoped teaching “white” culture would lead to peace between Indians & Settlers in the West. Govt. hoped teaching “white” culture would lead to peace between Indians & Settlers in the West. Assimilation – plan under which Native Americans would give up their beliefs & way of life to become part of American culture. Assimilation – plan under which Native Americans would give up their beliefs & way of life to become part of American culture. In 1879 the government funded the Carlisle School in Pennsylvania to teach the children of Native Americans how to behave like white children In 1879 the government funded the Carlisle School in Pennsylvania to teach the children of Native Americans how to behave like white children The program was expanded in the 1890s to teach sowing and hygiene on the reservations The program was expanded in the 1890s to teach sowing and hygiene on the reservations The Dawes Act took away the traditional role and power of the tribe and replaced it with individualism The Dawes Act took away the traditional role and power of the tribe and replaced it with individualism

8. Native American boys sent to Indian School (Before) (After)

9. 8.Dawes Act (1887) Goal to “Americanize” Indians. Goal to “Americanize” Indians. Provided funds for Indian schools (teach English, Christianity, white culture, etc.) Provided funds for Indian schools (teach English, Christianity, white culture, etc.) Divided Reservations into 160 acre Divided Reservations into 160 acre farms for each family. Instead of helping Native Americans, Dawes Act nearly destroyed Indian Instead of helping Native Americans, Dawes Act nearly destroyed Indianculture. 9.Destruction of Buffalo (1800 – 1900) Destruction of Native American life on Great Plains tied to loss of the buffalo (Indians’ food, clothing, shelter). Destruction of Native American life on Great Plains tied to loss of the buffalo (Indians’ food, clothing, shelter). Tourists & fur traders shot buffalo for sport. Buffalo population of 65 million in 1800 dropped to only a few hundred by 1900. Tourists & fur traders shot buffalo for sport. Buffalo population of 65 million in 1800 dropped to only a few hundred by 1900.

10. 9.Battle of Wounded Knee (1890) Sioux Indians continued to suffer poverty & disease. Thousands of Native Americans turned to a prophet, who promised that if Indians performed a ritual called the Ghost Dance, their lands & way of life would be restored. Sioux Indians continued to suffer poverty & disease. Thousands of Native Americans turned to a prophet, who promised that if Indians performed a ritual called the Ghost Dance, their lands & way of life would be restored. Ghost Dance movement spread. Alarmed U.S. Calvary opened fire on over 300 unarmed Native Americans camped at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Ghost Dance movement spread. Alarmed U.S. Calvary opened fire on over 300 unarmed Native Americans camped at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Battle of Wounded Knee brought Indian Wars to end of an entire era Battle of Wounded Knee brought Indian Wars to end of an entire era

11. 10.Vaqueros & Cowboys The cowboys remain a romanticized figure – even though they barely reigned 20 years The cowboys remain a romanticized figure – even though they barely reigned 20 years Between 1866-1885 approx. 55,000 cowboys worked the open range. Between 1866-1885 approx. 55,000 cowboys worked the open range. Cowboy life stemmed from Spanish ranchers in Mexico. Cowboy life stemmed from Spanish ranchers in Mexico. Early cowboys were Mexican. Vaqueros influenced cowboy clothes, food, vocabulary. Early cowboys were Mexican. Vaqueros influenced cowboy clothes, food, vocabulary. 25% of cowboys were black. Working as a cowboy appealed to former slaves who were judged on ability, not skin color. 25% of cowboys were black. Working as a cowboy appealed to former slaves who were judged on ability, not skin color.

12. 11. Growing Demand for Beef (1860s) After Civil War, demand for beef grew as cities became larger. The West had abundance of Texas Longhorns – a herd of over 5 million wild cattle originally brought from Spain. After Civil War, demand for beef grew as cities became larger. The West had abundance of Texas Longhorns – a herd of over 5 million wild cattle originally brought from Spain. Cattle Ranchers would buy cattle for $3 - $5 a head & drive cows to railheads in Ellsworth or Abiline, Kansas. Cattle then sold for $30 - $50 a head and shipped to Chicago for butchering. Cattle Ranchers would buy cattle for $3 - $5 a head & drive cows to railheads in Ellsworth or Abiline, Kansas. Cattle then sold for $30 - $50 a head and shipped to Chicago for butchering.

13. 12. The Long Cattle Drive Cattle drive consisted of about 3,000 cattle, 18 cowboys, one chuck wagon, and a wrangler. Drive began in spring and lasted 2-3 months until reaching Kansas. Cattle drive consisted of about 3,000 cattle, 18 cowboys, one chuck wagon, and a wrangler. Drive began in spring and lasted 2-3 months until reaching Kansas. 13. End of the Open Range Overgrazing the land, bad weather, and invention of barbed wire helped to end the cattle / cowboy era. Overgrazing the land, bad weather, and invention of barbed wire helped to end the cattle / cowboy era. Winters of 1885-1886 & 1886-1887 were brutal. Cold temperatures caused cattle to freeze to death. Summer droughts led to grass shortage. By 1887, 80%-90% of cattle dead. Winters of 1885-1886 & 1886-1887 were brutal. Cold temperatures caused cattle to freeze to death. Summer droughts led to grass shortage. By 1887, 80%-90% of cattle dead. Barbed wire turned open plains into a series of fenced in ranches. Barbed wire turned open plains into a series of fenced in ranches.

14. 14. Homestead Act (1862 – 1900) Passed by Congress to settle the West. Passed by Congress to settle the West. Offered 160 acres of free land to any citizen or intended citizen who was head of household. Offered 160 acres of free land to any citizen or intended citizen who was head of household. 100 million acres total sold to settlers 100 million acres total sold to settlers Approx. 600,000 families took advantage of government’s offer. Approx. 600,000 families took advantage of government’s offer.

15. 15.The Farm But most of the work in the West was done by the very unromantic figure of the sodbuster – the farmer But most of the work in the West was done by the very unromantic figure of the sodbuster – the farmer Homestead Act was deceptive – 160 acres of good, well-watered land was enough, but on the Great Plains there was little water Homestead Act was deceptive – 160 acres of good, well-watered land was enough, but on the Great Plains there was little water Many of the original settlers were forced to leave their land Many of the original settlers were forced to leave their land Also much of the better land was purchased by crooked individuals who just wanted to use the natural resources like lumber Also much of the better land was purchased by crooked individuals who just wanted to use the natural resources like lumber

16. 16.Farming Inventions that Tamed the Prairie Settlers used inventions to meet the challenges of farming the West’s harsh terrain. Settlers used inventions to meet the challenges of farming the West’s harsh terrain. Barbed Wire (1874) – Prevented animals from wandering off or trampling crops. Barbed Wire (1874) – Prevented animals from wandering off or trampling crops. Reaper (1847) – Invented by Cyrus McCormick. Sped up harvesting crops & saved crops from bad weather. Reaper (1847) – Invented by Cyrus McCormick. Sped up harvesting crops & saved crops from bad weather. Steel Plow (1837) – Invented by John Deere. Could slice through heavy soil, made planting more efficient. Steel Plow (1837) – Invented by John Deere. Could slice through heavy soil, made planting more efficient.

17. 17. Conclusion In 1890 it was announced that there was no frontier in America – all the once unsettled areas had been settled In 1890 it was announced that there was no frontier in America – all the once unsettled areas had been settled In 1893 Frederick Jackson Turner wrote “The Significance of the Frontier in American History” In 1893 Frederick Jackson Turner wrote “The Significance of the Frontier in American History” With the loss of the frontier came the loss of the “safety valve” – traditionally when the economic situation in the East had deteriorated there was always opportunities on the Western frontier With the loss of the frontier came the loss of the “safety valve” – traditionally when the economic situation in the East had deteriorated there was always opportunities on the Western frontier “The West was the first American empire” “The West was the first American empire”