Westward Expansion and Indian Policies

Settlement of the Great Plains and Far West

• Discovery of gold and silver attracted many settlers seeking wealth and opportunity.
• The transcontinental railroad facilitated travel and transportation, making the Great Plains more accessible.
• The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed settlers to claim land, promoting westward expansion and farming.

Indian Policies and the Plains Indians

• Indian policies promoted cultural assimilation, significantly altering traditional societies.
• Establishment of reservations restricted Plains Indians' mobility and lifestyle, impacting their way of life.
• Educational opportunities aimed at assimilation undermined traditional practices and knowledge.

Human Factors Impacting Settlement

• Technological innovations in agriculture, such as plowing techniques and crop rotation, enhanced farming viability.
• Immigration and migration increased population density in the settling areas.
• Expansion of railroads and communication networks improved access to resources and markets.

Geographic Factors Affecting Settlement

• Fertile soil and water sources made farming in the Great Plains a possibility, although irrigation was sometimes necessary.
• Harsh winters and mountainous terrain presented significant challenges to early settlers.
• Discoveries of gold and other minerals in the region stimulated economic growth and migration.

Characteristics of Plains Indian Culture

• Plains Indians were predominantly nomadic, relying on buffalo hunting for sustenance, contrasting with white settlers' agricultural lifestyles.
• White settlers established permanent communities focused on farming and trade, differing from the mobile lifestyle of the Plains Indians.
• Cultural differences included social structures, governance, and economic practices, with Plains Indians adapting to the environment rather than modifying it extensively through agriculture.