AIM: Why did settlers move West in the late 19 th century? Do Now: Inventions Project Introduction US History & Government 12/9/13
The West (1860-1910) United States History & Government
The Economy of the West
Sutter s Mill, California The Forty-Niners
Virginia City, Nevada
Pacific Railroad Act (1861) US Government gave railroad companies land in exchange for building a transcontinental railroad
Building the Railroad
Transcontinental Railroad (1869) A golden spike was driven at Promontory Point, Utah to signal the completion of the first linkage of railroads across the American continent.
Exodusters waiting for a steamboat to carry them west in the late 1870's
Homestead Act (1862) Free land (160 acres) after five years of cultivation
The Realty--A Pioneer s Sod House, SD
Another way to distribute land. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yx ajy8uzxn4
Farming on a Kansas Homestead
Morrill Land Grant Act (1862) Set aside land for colleges in the West
(HIDE - BUCKSKIN) moccasin tops cradles winter robes bedding shirts leggins lance covers belts dresses pipe bags pouches paint bags dolls coup flag covers quivers tipi covers guncases (HAIR) headdresses saddle pad filler pillows rope ornaments halters medicine balls (TAIL) medicine switch fly brush lodge exterior decorations whips (HOOF & FEET) glue rattles (HORNS) cups fire carriers powder horn spoons ladles headdresses signals toys (MEAT) (every part eaten) pemmican (converted) hump ribsimmediately jerky (converted) (SKIN OF HIND LEG) moccasins or boots (RAWHIDE) containers clothing headdress food medicine bags shields buckets moccasin soles rattles drums drumsticks splints cinches ropes belts bullets pouches saddles horse masks lance cases armbands quirts bull boats knife cases stirrups thongs horse ornament
Sand Creek Massacre (1864) Colonel John Milton Chivington of the Colorado Militia "I have come to kill Indians. and believe it is right and honorable to use any means under God's heaven to kill Indians.
White settlers in Colorado demanded that the Cheyenne be moved. So that they could take the land. The Cheyenne were forced on the Sand Creek Reservation, but they had no food and starved. Some young men began to steal animals and supplies from settlers.
Chivington and his cavalry launch a surprise attack on the Cheyenne, killing 105 women and children and 28 men, as well as mutilating the dead and wounded.
Chief Black Kettle But what do we want to live for? The white man has taken our country, killed all of our game; was not satisfied with that, but killed our wives and children too Chief Black Kettle 1863
Battle of Little Big Horn (1876) General Custer Chief Sitting Bull 500 troops 2000 warriors
Ghost Dance
Wounded Knee Massacre (1890) The Lakota were on their way toward the Pine Ridge Reservation. The US cavalry intercepted them and ordered them to hand over their weapons. A shot was fired, and the Cavalry opened fire. The Lakota sought to escape the troops, who chased them for miles across the prairies. By the end of fighting, which lasted less than an hour, at least 150 Lakota had been killed and 50 wounded. In comparison, US Army casualties numbered 25 dead and 39 wounded.
Chief Joseph of the Nez Percé I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed... The old men are all dead.. It is cold, and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are -- perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.
Dawes General Allotment Act (1887) Broke up tribal lands and gave 160 acres to individual families in the tribe. The purpose was to assimilate Native Americans and so deal with the Indian Problem
Reservation Land
Assimilation A Navajo boy named Tom Torlino as he entered the Carlisle Indian School and a short time after the "reforming" process had begun
How the West was Lost
William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody
The Indian Wars 1876 Sioux Wars Battle of Little Big Horn Chief Sitting Bull defeats General Custer s Army 1881 A Century of Dishonor by Helen Hunt Jackson Criticized Indian mistreatment & broken promises by government 1887 Dawes General Allotment Act Broke up the Native American tribes by dividing tribal lands. Aim: Assimilation of Indians 1890 Battle of Wounded Knee Soldiers massacre 200 Sioux. Indian resistance mostly ends.