The West (1865-1900) Overview

The West (1865-1900)

• The period from 1865 to 1900 saw significant westward expansion in the United States, driven by factors like railroad construction, mineral discoveries, and government policies.

Native American Conflicts

• After the Civil War, Plains Indians surrendered land expecting protection and supplies, but this was often broken.
• Helen Hunt Jackson's "A Century of Dishonor" detailed government abuse, broken promises, and forced removals.
• The Dawes Severalty Act (1887) aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dissolving tribes, eliminating tribal land ownership, and promoting individual land ownership. This often led to dispossession and cultural disruption.
• Many Native American leaders, like Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and Chief Joseph, resisted these policies and fought for their rights and traditional way of life.

Battles on the Plains

• Conflicts between settlers and Native Americans resulted in numerous battles, including the Battle of Little Bighorn (Custer's Last Stand), and the Battle of Wounded Knee.
• The near extinction of the buffalo, coupled with railroad expansion, made it easier to displace Native American populations.
• Buffalo Soldiers, a significant portion of the frontier troops, played a critical military role in westward expansion, but were disproportionately black.

Wanton Destruction of Buffalo

• The rapid expansion and settlement of the West led to the ruthless killing of bison as settlers and railroad companies sought land and resources.
• This had a significant impact on the Native American way of life, which depended on the bison for food, clothing, and shelter.

Unrest in the West

• Farmers' movements were initiated to address the issues of railroad and manufacturing monopolies leading to increasing costs and crushing debt for the farmers.
• The Grange Movement and Farmers' Alliance were both important responses to the struggling farmers in the West.
• The goals of these groups shifted towards collective action to combat the challenging plight of the farmers by promoting cooperative buying and selling to reduce the grip of the corporations, and offering relief for indebted farmers.
• Ultimately, the goals foreshadowed the Populist movement.

The Populists (1892)

• The Populist party emerged as a response to the struggles of farmers and workers in the West, advocating for policies like nationalizing railroads, a graduated income tax, and the free coinage of silver. This was intended to increase the money supply and lower debt.
• While they saw success in limited places, their attempts to unify the struggling populations were hampered, ironically, by racial division in the South, which was their core market for support.
• Populists won seats in Congress, garnering over a million votes for presidential candidate James B. Weaver, signifying their importance and popularity in the region.
• Their opponents, Republican industrialists, were known (derisively) as "Gold Bugs".

The Mining Industry

• Gold and other mineral discoveries in Colorado led to westward migration and booms in mining towns.
• The Comstock Lode in Nevada, further fueled westward expansion, as it provided a quick path to statehood.
• Boomtowns (also known as Helldorados) were characterized by lawlessness.
• The mining industry helped finance the Civil War and the building of railroads.

The Meat Industry

• Ranching developed in response to the growing demand for meat.
• Long cattle drives allowed ranchers to move herds to railroad depots in the East.
• These drives were made difficult by harsh weather conditions and encroachment from homesteaders who were fencing off land.

Agriculture

• The Homestead Act (1862) encouraged westward migration through land grants.
• Initially, the plan involved selling public land for revenue; then, land plots were given away to spur the growth of the population.
• Settlers struggled with issues like harsh weather, lack of resources, and soil conditions.
• The use of mechanization, such as barbed wire fences, led to bonanza farms. Large farm operations developed, often displacing smaller farmers who were unable to compete.
• Oklahoma was opened for settlement, resulting in a large influx of settlers and leading to the boom of Oklahoma.
• Federally funded irrigation projects were important to the development of agriculture in the West.

This quiz explores the significant events and conflicts in the American West from 1865 to 1900. It covers the westward expansion, the impact on Native American tribes, and key figures and battles during this transformative period. Test your knowledge on the struggles and policies that shaped the American frontier.