Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was a significant consequence of the droughts in the West during the 1880s?
What was a significant consequence of the droughts in the West during the 1880s?
How did modern communication and transportation impact commercial agriculture?
How did modern communication and transportation impact commercial agriculture?
Why did farmers express resentment towards railroad companies?
Why did farmers express resentment towards railroad companies?
What social impact did economic difficulties have on farm families?
What social impact did economic difficulties have on farm families?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a major factor leading to bankruptcy among farmers worldwide?
What was a major factor leading to bankruptcy among farmers worldwide?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a significant impact of the Pueblo Indians' relations with the Spanish and Mexicans?
What was a significant impact of the Pueblo Indians' relations with the Spanish and Mexicans?
Signup and view all the answers
What role did women play in Plains Indian societies?
What role did women play in Plains Indian societies?
Signup and view all the answers
What motivated the Taos Indian Rebellion in 1847?
What motivated the Taos Indian Rebellion in 1847?
Signup and view all the answers
Which act was initially intended to promote westward settlement by providing cheap land?
Which act was initially intended to promote westward settlement by providing cheap land?
Signup and view all the answers
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was primarily a response to which societal issue?
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was primarily a response to which societal issue?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a key factor contributing to the decline of cattle ranching in the late 1800s?
What was a key factor contributing to the decline of cattle ranching in the late 1800s?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the effect of the Sand Creek Massacre on Native American relations with whites?
What was the effect of the Sand Creek Massacre on Native American relations with whites?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the arrival of the Transcontinental Railroad influence western settlement?
How did the arrival of the Transcontinental Railroad influence western settlement?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor contributed to both the success and struggles of Chinese immigrants in the west?
Which factor contributed to both the success and struggles of Chinese immigrants in the west?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one outcome of Frederick Jackson Turner's thesis on the frontier?
What was one outcome of Frederick Jackson Turner's thesis on the frontier?
Signup and view all the answers
What ultimately characterized labor relations for marginalized groups in the West?
What ultimately characterized labor relations for marginalized groups in the West?
Signup and view all the answers
In what way did vigilante justice influence mining towns?
In what way did vigilante justice influence mining towns?
Signup and view all the answers
Which policy aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by allotting individual ownership of land?
Which policy aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by allotting individual ownership of land?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a common characteristic of the contentions between ranchers and farmers on the Great Plains?
What was a common characteristic of the contentions between ranchers and farmers on the Great Plains?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
The Societies of the Far West
- Pueblo Indians in the Southwest had permanent farming settlements. They built adobe houses, grew corn, and had elaborate irrigation systems before the Spanish arrived in the 1600's. They later allied with the Spanish.
- Pueblo/Spanish relations developed into a caste system. Spanish and Mexicans were at the top, controlling the Santa Fe Trading centers. Pueblos were below them but free. Apaches, Navajos, and women outside of their tribes were at the bottom of the caste system. Those were called the "genizaros" or Indians without tribes. This caste system reflects the Spanish Empire's focus on racial hierarchy.
- Plains tribes had diverse alliances and conflicts. However some commonalities included family-based cultures and close relationships with nature, viewing nature as a spiritual power.
- Gender roles were divided. Women were primarily involved in domestic work and farming. Men were involved in hunting and trading.
- The Sioux (Lakota) Nation were buffalo hunters, relied on European horses, were nomadic, and became the most powerful tribe in the Missouri River Valley. They expanded their influence in the early 1800s.
Hispanic New Mexico
- Following the Mexican-American War, Native Americans and Hispanics in New Mexico feared the American government. They feared their traditions and lands would be threatened which led to the Taos Indian Rebellion in 1847. There they killed white officials. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by the U.S. Army.
- The U.S. Army defeated many Indian tribes (Apache, Navajo, etc) in New Mexico. This caused many Mexican immigrants to migrate to the Southwest, where they searched for work. As more railroads were built, White Americans migrated to the area and took over. This restricted Mexican immigrants to low-paying and unstable jobs.
- The Mission system in California and Texas collapsed in the 1830s because of the changing Mexican government. The power of the Church was reduced after the Mexican Independence from Spain.
The Chinese Migration
- Many impoverished Chinese immigrated to the U.S. in search of a better life. Some came to the U.S. as coolies (indentured servants). Many Chinese came to California during the Gold Rush.
- Initially, the Chinese were welcomed to California, but later faced discrimination. A foreign miners tax was put into place to keep them from mining gold.
- Chinese also worked on the Transcontinental Railroad, but faced discrimination and low pay.
Anti-Chinese Sentiments
- Anti-Coolie Clubs emerged in the 1860s and 70s. They wanted a ban on Chinese employment. They wanted lower wages for white employees. They also boycotted goods made by Chinese workers.
- Workingmen's Party was formed by Denis Kearney (an Irish immigrant). They were hostile towards the Chinese.
- The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882. It was a response to political pressures that perceived the Chinese as barbaric. The Chinese were not permitted to be assimilated into the U.S. Immigration was consequently banned for 10 years, preventing Chinese from becoming citizens.
Migration from the East
- After the Civil War, people migrated to the West in large numbers, much higher than ever before. Most migrants were from the Eastern U.S., but many were also from Europe.
- Settlers were drawn to gold and silver deposits, shortgrass prairies for cattle and sheep, and sod. The completion of the Transcontinental RR in 1869 greatly increased settlement opportunities.
- The Homestead Act offered settlers 160 acres of land in exchange for work and development. However, 160 acres was not large enough land to function as a working farm in the West-- leading many to leave their lands. The high costs of running a farm also contributed to the economic struggles of settlers.
- The Timberland Culture Act (1873) and the Desert Land Act (1877) were attempts to remedy the issues associated with the Homestead Act.
The Changing Western Economy
- The Eastern and Western economies became more interconnected through railroads, cattle ranching, mining, and more.
- The East served as a market for Western goods and a source of capital.
- Labor in the West was scarce. Many Americans from urban areas were unable or unwilling to hire Native Americans to work on farms. They offered high wages for workers. Chinese workers were hired as they could be paid less. There was an increase in white unemployment as more Chinese workers were used.
The Arrival of the Miners
- In the 1860-1890s, many people flocked to the West to find gold and other precious metals.
- Pike's Peak was a district where gold was found (1858) before the California Gold Rush. Denver became a boomtown when 50,000 people migrated to the area in search of gold.
- Comstock Lode (Nevada): rich in silver and gold, similar boomtown characteristics to Denver.
- Bad men: unofficial governments (vigilantes) were formed by gangs/groups to rule the mining towns because the town governments were not as strong. Many crimes were committed under the guise of these groups.
- Women in the mining towns: A labor shortage meant that women had more opportunities to work than in the East. However, jobs were very strenuous.
The Cattle Kingdom
- The Great Plains served as ideal cattle ranching land.
- Cattle ranching played a major role in the western economy.
- The cattle kingdom, or large-scale open-range cattle farming, was a result of connecting Southwest Mexican/Texas ranching to Eastern markets via the Long Drive.
- The Chisholm Trail to Kansas allowed ranchers to ship their cattle to markets.
- Economic competition arose over land and pasture leading to disputes and violence between cowboys, ranchers, and farmers ("range wars").
- Harsh winters and dwindling grass supplies led to the decline of cattle ranching in the late 1850s and 1860s.
The Cowboy Culture
- Cowboys were romanticized (e.g., Owen Wister's "The Virginian"). They were depicted as rugged, free-living, and powerful.
- In reality, they were often low-paid workers.
The Idea of the Frontier
- Many Americans viewed the West as the "last frontier," a place for new starts and opportunities.
- The West represented freedom and opportunity, attracting many settlers.
- Writers like Mark Twain emphasized the West's untamed and free nature.
- Frederick Remington depicted the West and its cowboys as romanticized, natural figures.
White Tribal Policies
- The U.S. traditionally treated Native American tribes as sovereign nations, negotiating treaties through the Senate. However, this was often broken promises.
- The idea of creating a large native American enclave of people led to the Concentration Policy (1851). Each tribe received a reservation through treaties (often illegitimate). White Americans negotiated with whomever they wanted, rather than by the sovereign nation that the U.S. deemed them.
- The Indian Peace Commission (1857) was created after conflicts to relocate native populations into two reservations.
The Dawes Act
- The Dawes Act (1877) aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society. The government eliminated tribal lands and reservations, allocating land to individual Native Americans.
- Native American children were sent to boarding schools to encourage them to adopt American culture and Christian values.
The Rise of the Western Farmer
- Congress encouraged railroad expansion to open up western lands. They provided financial aid and land to RR companies. They also lowered the price of train rides to more easily access the area.
- State governments also encouraged railroad development.
Barbed Wire
- Barbed wire (Glidden & Ellwood) changed farming. It stopped free-grazing herds.
- Western agricultural growth depended heavily on irrigation due to water shortages.
Commercial Agriculture
- Commercial farmers specialized in cash crops (e.g. reliance on bankers and interest rates).
- Modern communication and transportation created new international markets for agricultural goods.
- Overproduction led to falling prices and farmers' financial difficulties.
Farmer's Grievances
- Railroad companies charged high prices for shipping.
- High interest rates from banks.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the intricate societies of the Far West, focusing on the Pueblo Indians and their agricultural innovations before Spanish contact. Delve into the caste system that emerged from Pueblo and Spanish relations, as well as the diverse cultures of Plains tribes, including their connection to nature and gender roles. Gain insights into how these communities navigated alliances and conflicts in a rapidly changing landscape.
