The American West
An Overview: 1860-1900
Practice Essay
“The American West was a land
of opportunity for Americans in
the late 1800s.” To what extent do
you agree with this statement?
Theme 1: The American
west was a land of
hardship and opportunity.
Theme 2: Western life
was largely shaped by
geography.
Theme 3: Western
expansion continued to
bring American settlers
into conflict with
American Indians.
4 main economic opportunities
in the West
Farming
 Ranching
 Mining
 Railroad construction

Land Grants to Railroads
Farming
What does a successful farmer need?
Farming
What does a successful farmer need?
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Land with tillable soil
Adequate rainfall or irrigation
Access to machinery and supplies
A way to transport goods to market
A market for the goods
Opportunities
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Available Land
Sources: Homestead Act (from gov’t)
Sales (from other land owners)
Hardship
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Thick sod
Lack of rainfall/water
Social isolation
Debt
Low crop prices
High freight charges
Extreme weather
Crop-eating Insects
The “Soddie”
Ranching
Opportunities

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Ranching is possible in places that couldn’t
support other types of farming
Markets existed for beef, wool, etc.
Hardships
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Livestock susceptible to disease
Farmers opposed open range, put up fences
CATTLE TRAILS
Mining
Opportunities

The chance to get rich
Hardships
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Few got rich
Large corporations began to takeover the
mining business
Railroad Work
Opportunities

Jobs
Hardships
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Dangerous, exhausting work
Competition for jobs kept wages low
The Impact of Railroads
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Brought settlers west
Allowed westerners to trade with the east
Largest landowner in the west
Responsible for the creation on many towns
Encouraged slaughter of buffalo
Accelerated conflict with Native Americans
The Indian Wars

"It makes little difference, however, where one
opens the record of history of the Indians;
every page and every year has its dark stain. The
story of one tribe is the story of all."
--Helen Hunt Jackson
Indian Wars: background
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In reality, Indians had been at war with white
"invaders" since about 1493 when Columbus'
men had their first clash with Native Americans.
Indians in the American west had been isolated
from the pressures of U.S. expansion until after
the Civil War.
Indian Wars: A Shift in Policy
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When expansion into the American west accelerated
and the U.S. government changed its policy to
"concentration." This meant moving Indians onto
reservations.
Some tribes peacefully signed treaties with the US
government giving up their lands in exchange for
promises of food and other payments. Other tribes
fought for their lands.
Life on reservations was worsened by corrupt Indian
agents.
NATIVE AMERICAN
TERRITORY IN THE WEST, 1890
Indian Wars

Beginning in 1862, the U.S. army began a series
of violent conflicts with various Native
American tribes. Together, these conflicts are
known as the "Indian Wars." The goal of U.S.
policy was to force uncooperative tribes onto
reservations and to secure western lands for
white owners.
The End Results
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All tribes were forced onto Reservations
Traditional ways of life for Native Americans
were endangered
Settlers gained access to the best Western lands
The near-extinction of the bison

Buffalo were hunted for sport, for their valuable
furs, and as an intentional way to hurt Indian
tribes that relied on the animal for survival.
Reformers

Reformers sought to save the Indian by
“civilizing” the Indian. Although well
intentioned, they were not appreciative of
Indian cultures.
“Kill the Indian, Save the Man”
Populism
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A general definition: A political philosophy
supporting the rights and power of the people
in their struggle against the privileged elite.
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A more specific definition: A movement,
primarily of farmers, in the late 1800s that
demanded government aid for the common
farmer and worker.