ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

TODAY:TODAY:

WHAT NATIONAL ISSUES EMERGED IN THE PROCESS WHAT NATIONAL ISSUES EMERGED IN THE PROCESS OF THE (WHITE) U.S. CONQUEST OF THE WESTERN OF THE (WHITE) U.S. CONQUEST OF THE WESTERN FRONTIER?FRONTIER?

WHAT WERE THE EFFECTS OF THE CLOSING OF THE WHAT WERE THE EFFECTS OF THE CLOSING OF THE FRONTIER?FRONTIER?

WHY DOES THE WEST HOLD SUCH AN IMPORTANT WHY DOES THE WEST HOLD SUCH AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN AMERICAN HISTORY/ MYTHOLOGY?PLACE IN AMERICAN HISTORY/ MYTHOLOGY?

BROAD:BROAD:

HOW DID THE U.S. BECOME A SUPER-POWER?HOW DID THE U.S. BECOME A SUPER-POWER?

U.S. PHYSIOGRAPHIC MAPU.S. PHYSIOGRAPHIC MAP

(THE U.S. BOUGHT ALASKA IN 1867 AND (THE U.S. BOUGHT ALASKA IN 1867 AND CONTROLLED HAWAII FROM 1887 ON (ANNEXED 1898)CONTROLLED HAWAII FROM 1887 ON (ANNEXED 1898)

THE WEST – THE LAST FRONTIERTHE WEST – THE LAST FRONTIER LAND BETWEEN MISSISSIPPI RIVER & PACIFIC LAND BETWEEN MISSISSIPPI RIVER & PACIFIC

COAST KNOWN AS THE GREAT AMERICAN DESERTCOAST KNOWN AS THE GREAT AMERICAN DESERT

BY 1895 VIRTUALLY NO MORE FRONTIER LEFTBY 1895 VIRTUALLY NO MORE FRONTIER LEFT HOMESTEADS FENCED WITH BARBED WIREHOMESTEADS FENCED WITH BARBED WIRE CRISSCROSSED RAILROADSCRISSCROSSED RAILROADS NEW MODERN TOWNSNEW MODERN TOWNS NEAR EXTERMINATION OF BUFFALONEAR EXTERMINATION OF BUFFALO ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGEENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE DECIMATION OF PLAINS INDIAN TRIBESDECIMATION OF PLAINS INDIAN TRIBES

KEY TENSIONSKEY TENSIONSKEY TENSIONSKEY TENSIONS

NATIVE NATIVE AMERICANSAMERICANS

FARMERSFARMERSBUFFALO HUNTERSBUFFALO HUNTERSRAILROADSRAILROADSU. S. GOVERNMENTU. S. GOVERNMENT

CATTLEMENCATTLEMEN SHEEP HERDERSSHEEP HERDERS

RANCHERSRANCHERS FARMERSFARMERS

RAILROADSRAILROADSFARMERSFARMERS

KEY TENSIONSKEY TENSIONSKEY TENSIONSKEY TENSIONS

ETHNICETHNICMINORITIESMINORITIES NATIVISTSNATIVISTS

ENVIRONMENTALISTSENVIRONMENTALISTSBIG BUSINESS BIG BUSINESS INTERESTSINTERESTS [MINING, TIMBER] [MINING, TIMBER]LOCAL GOVT. LOCAL GOVT. OFFICIALSOFFICIALSFARMERSFARMERSBUFFALO HUNTERSBUFFALO HUNTERS

LAWLESSNESS LAWLESSNESS OF THE OF THE

FRONTIERFRONTIER ““CIVILIZING” CIVILIZING” FORCESFORCES

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER = THE ROMANCE OF THE WEST

THE MINING FRONTIER THE MINING FRONTIER

STARTED WITH CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH, 1849STARTED WITH CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH, 1849

N.B. – GOLD RUSH LED TO FIRST WAVE OF CHINESE N.B. – GOLD RUSH LED TO FIRST WAVE OF CHINESE IMMIGRANTS TO U.S. - 25,000 IN CALIFORNIA BY 1852IMMIGRANTS TO U.S. - 25,000 IN CALIFORNIA BY 1852

SMALLER GOLD AND SILVER STRIKES (COL., NEV., SMALLER GOLD AND SILVER STRIKES (COL., NEV., AZ., S.D.)AZ., S.D.)

COMSTOCK LODE DISCOVERED IN NEVADA, 1859:COMSTOCK LODE DISCOVERED IN NEVADA, 1859:

$340 MILLION IN SILVER AND GOLD, 1859 – 1890$340 MILLION IN SILVER AND GOLD, 1859 – 1890

FRONT OF POSTCARD SHOWING COMSTOCK FRONT OF POSTCARD SHOWING COMSTOCK MINERS. REAR SAID, "TO LABOR IS TO PRAY"MINERS. REAR SAID, "TO LABOR IS TO PRAY"

EFFECTS OF MINING BOOMEFFECTS OF MINING BOOM

MINING BOOM MINING BOOM EARLY STATEHOOD FOR EARLY STATEHOOD FOR CALIFORNIA (1850), NEVADA (1864), IDAHO (1890) AND CALIFORNIA (1850), NEVADA (1864), IDAHO (1890) AND MONTANA (1899)MONTANA (1899)

SILVER BONANZA FUELED DISPUTES OVER SILVER BONANZA FUELED DISPUTES OVER BIMETALLISM = MAJOR FACTOR IN RISE OF POPULIST BIMETALLISM = MAJOR FACTOR IN RISE OF POPULIST PARTYPARTY

INCREASING DISPLACEMENT OF INDIANSINCREASING DISPLACEMENT OF INDIANS

MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE -- CERCLA MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE -- CERCLA SUPERFUND SITESSUPERFUND SITES

U.S. MINING, 1900. NOTE THE COAL AND IRON!U.S. MINING, 1900. NOTE THE COAL AND IRON!

THE RAILROADSTHE RAILROADS

MAY 10, 1869 – FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD: MAY 10, 1869 – FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD: GOLDEN SPIKE DRIVEN AT PROMONTORY POINT, UTAH, GOLDEN SPIKE DRIVEN AT PROMONTORY POINT, UTAH, LINKING UNION PACIFIC AND CENTRAL PACIFICLINKING UNION PACIFIC AND CENTRAL PACIFIC

AFTER THE GOLDEN SPIKE WAS DRIVENAFTER THE GOLDEN SPIKE WAS DRIVEN

MAJOR RAILROADS BY 1880MAJOR RAILROADS BY 1880

RAILROAD MILEAGE INCREASE BY GROUPS OF STATES. RAILROAD MILEAGE INCREASE BY GROUPS OF STATES. SOURCE: SOURCE: CHAUNCEY DEPEW (ED.), (ED.), ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF AMERICAN COMMERCE 1795-1895.AMERICAN COMMERCE 1795-1895.

EFFECTS OF THE RAILROAD BOOMEFFECTS OF THE RAILROAD BOOM

MAIN WAY SETTLERS GOT WESTMAIN WAY SETTLERS GOT WEST

MADE CATTLE AND OTHER WESTERN INDUSTRIES MADE CATTLE AND OTHER WESTERN INDUSTRIES POSSIBLE, LINKED NATIONPOSSIBLE, LINKED NATION

MOST HISTORIANS THINK IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO RISE MOST HISTORIANS THINK IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO RISE OF U.S. AS MAJOR INDUSTRIAL POWEROF U.S. AS MAJOR INDUSTRIAL POWER

CHINESE PEOPLE FIRST CAME TO U.S. DURING GOLD CHINESE PEOPLE FIRST CAME TO U.S. DURING GOLD RUSH, BUT MANY MORE CHINESE PEOPLE CAME TO RUSH, BUT MANY MORE CHINESE PEOPLE CAME TO WORK BUILDING RAILROADS WORK BUILDING RAILROADS

300,000 IN CALIFORNIA ALONE (1/10 OF POP.) BY 1882 300,000 IN CALIFORNIA ALONE (1/10 OF POP.) BY 1882 WHEN CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT WAS PASSEDWHEN CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT WAS PASSED

CHINESE LABORERS WORKING ON RAILROAD CHINESE LABORERS WORKING ON RAILROAD – IN THE SNOW– IN THE SNOW

CHINESE LABORERS WERE ESSENTIAL TO BUILD THE CHINESE LABORERS WERE ESSENTIAL TO BUILD THE RAILROADS (AND BUILDING LEVEES IN CALIFORNIA TO RAILROADS (AND BUILDING LEVEES IN CALIFORNIA TO IRRIGATE LAND FOR FARMING).IRRIGATE LAND FOR FARMING).

ALL AROUND WESTERN WORLD, ONCE SLAVERY ALL AROUND WESTERN WORLD, ONCE SLAVERY WAS ABOLISHED, CHINESE "COOLIE" LABOR WAS WAS ABOLISHED, CHINESE "COOLIE" LABOR WAS RECRUITEDRECRUITED

IN U.S., ONCE THEIR LABOR WASN'T NEEDED, IN U.S., ONCE THEIR LABOR WASN'T NEEDED, NATIVISTSNATIVISTS TURNED AGAINST THE CHINESE TURNED AGAINST THE CHINESE

PAGE ACT, 1875: NO "ASIAN" PROSTITUTES COULD PAGE ACT, 1875: NO "ASIAN" PROSTITUTES COULD IMMIGRATE TO U.S. (AND ALL CHINESE SECOND WIVES, IMMIGRATE TO U.S. (AND ALL CHINESE SECOND WIVES, CONCUBINES WERE DEEMED PROSTITUTES)CONCUBINES WERE DEEMED PROSTITUTES)

CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT, 1882: NO MORE CHINESE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT, 1882: NO MORE CHINESE IMMIGRANTS IMMIGRANTS SPLIT CHINESE FAMILIES SPLIT CHINESE FAMILIES

(EFFECTS OF RAILROAD BOOM, CONT'D)(EFFECTS OF RAILROAD BOOM, CONT'D)

DEBT TO BRITISH (AND OTHER FOREIGN) BANKS DEBT TO BRITISH (AND OTHER FOREIGN) BANKS (WHY WE HAD TO GET INTO WWI)(WHY WE HAD TO GET INTO WWI)

BUT IT IS THE ONE INDUSTRY FEDERAL BUT IT IS THE ONE INDUSTRY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED – MOSTLY GOVERNMENT HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED – MOSTLY THROUGH LAND GRANTS FOR RIGHTS-OF-WAY, ALSO THROUGH LAND GRANTS FOR RIGHTS-OF-WAY, ALSO SOME LOANS (SOME LOANS (E.G.E.G. PACIFIC RAILROAD ACTS, 1862 & PACIFIC RAILROAD ACTS, 1862 & 1863)1863)

RIGHTS-OF-WAY = VALUABLE REAL ESTATE: RIGHTS-OF-WAY = VALUABLE REAL ESTATE: TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH WIRES, FIBER OPTICS, TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH WIRES, FIBER OPTICS, AIR RIGHTS (PAN-AM (NOW METLIFE) BLDG. IN NYC, AIR RIGHTS (PAN-AM (NOW METLIFE) BLDG. IN NYC, AIR RIGHTS CENTER IN BETHESDA, MD.)AIR RIGHTS CENTER IN BETHESDA, MD.)

RAILROADS = ONE OF GILDED AGE INDUSTRIES RAILROADS = ONE OF GILDED AGE INDUSTRIES "TYCOONS" AKA "ROBBER BARONS" – FIRST "TYCOONS" AKA "ROBBER BARONS" – FIRST VASTLY VASTLY WEALTHY AMERICANS (BILLIONAIRES IN CURRENT $)WEALTHY AMERICANS (BILLIONAIRES IN CURRENT $)

LELAND STANFORD (UNION PACIFIC), MARK HOPKINS, LELAND STANFORD (UNION PACIFIC), MARK HOPKINS, (CENTRAL PACIFIC) CHARLES CROCKER (CENTRAL (CENTRAL PACIFIC) CHARLES CROCKER (CENTRAL PACIFIC), COLLIS HUNTINGDON (CENTRAL PACIFIC AND PACIFIC), COLLIS HUNTINGDON (CENTRAL PACIFIC AND CHESAPEAKE & OHIO), CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, R CHESAPEAKE & OHIO), CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, R (NEW YORK RAILROADS, GRAND CENTRAL STATION)(NEW YORK RAILROADS, GRAND CENTRAL STATION)

DISPUTES BETWEEN RAILROADS AND FARMERS (AND DISPUTES BETWEEN RAILROADS AND FARMERS (AND SOME INDUSTRIES, TOO)SOME INDUSTRIES, TOO)

RAILROADS – INHERENTLY MONOPOLISTIC ON THEIR RAILROADS – INHERENTLY MONOPOLISTIC ON THEIR LINES LINES

NO GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF RATES NO GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF RATES DISCRIMINATORY RATES – HURT FARMERS, SMALL DISCRIMINATORY RATES – HURT FARMERS, SMALL BUSINESSESBUSINESSES

ALSO TICKED OFF SOME BIG BUSINESSES: NO ALSO TICKED OFF SOME BIG BUSINESSES: NO ANTITRUST LAWS ANTITRUST LAWS RAILROAD TRUSTS, AGREED TO RAILROAD TRUSTS, AGREED TO KEEP RATES HIGHKEEP RATES HIGH

WABASH, ST. LOUIS & PACIFIC RR. WABASH, ST. LOUIS & PACIFIC RR. V. V. ILLINOIS ILLINOIS (1886): (1886): SUPREME COURT HELD STATES CANNOT REGULATE SUPREME COURT HELD STATES CANNOT REGULATE RAILROAD RATES RAILROAD RATES

INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT, 1887 – INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT, 1887 – CREATED CREATED THE FIRST FEDERAL INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATIVE THE FIRST FEDERAL INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATIVE (REGULATORY AGENCY), (REGULATORY AGENCY), THE THE INTERSTATE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSIONCOMMERCE COMMISSION

THE ICC REGULATED THE ICC REGULATED RAILROAD RATES, MERGERS RAILROAD RATES, MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS (AND AND ACQUISITIONS (AND SOME LABOR RELATIONS SOME LABOR RELATIONS AFTER 1920)AFTER 1920)

CREATION OF CREATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES REFLECTS INCREASING ROLE REFLECTS INCREASING ROLE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – NEITHER CONGRESS NOR NEITHER CONGRESS NOR PRESIDENT AND CABINET PRESIDENT AND CABINET COULD DO ALL THE WORK! COULD DO ALL THE WORK!

OTHER TRANSPORTATION: THE STAGE COACH WAS OTHER TRANSPORTATION: THE STAGE COACH WAS FOR SHORT INTER-CITY TRIPS (MAIL AND FOR SHORT INTER-CITY TRIPS (MAIL AND PASSENGERS) PASSENGERS)

THE CATTLE FRONTIERTHE CATTLE FRONTIER

THE "TEXAS LONGHORN"

CATTLE = MAJOR U.S. INDUSTRY (STILL! WE CATTLE = MAJOR U.S. INDUSTRY (STILL! WE EXPORT ABOUT 2.5 BILLION POUNDS OF BEEF/YEAR)EXPORT ABOUT 2.5 BILLION POUNDS OF BEEF/YEAR)

GOT STARTED AFTER CIVIL WAR:GOT STARTED AFTER CIVIL WAR:

TEXAS HAD MILLIONS OF "WILD" LONGHORN COWS TEXAS HAD MILLIONS OF "WILD" LONGHORN COWS (FROM MEXICO) AND FREE GRASSLAND FOR GRAZING (FROM MEXICO) AND FREE GRASSLAND FOR GRAZING "OPEN RANGE RANCHING" "OPEN RANGE RANCHING"

BEEF WAS EXPENSIVE IN THE EAST – READY BEEF WAS EXPENSIVE IN THE EAST – READY MARKET FOR WESTERN CATTLEMARKET FOR WESTERN CATTLE

COMPLETION OF RAIL LINES TO KANSAS MADE COMPLETION OF RAIL LINES TO KANSAS MADE INDUSTRY POSSIBLEINDUSTRY POSSIBLE

LONG CATTLE DRIVES FROM WEST LONG CATTLE DRIVES FROM WEST KANSAS KANSAS CITY STOCKYARDSCITY STOCKYARDS

BY RAIL TO CHICAGO, FROM CHICAGO BY RAIL TO BY RAIL TO CHICAGO, FROM CHICAGO BY RAIL TO EASTEAST

1860 – 1900 – OVER 5 MILLION COWS SHIPPED 1860 – 1900 – OVER 5 MILLION COWS SHIPPED EASTEAST

TRADITIONS AND TECHNIQUES OF CATTLE TRADITIONS AND TECHNIQUES OF CATTLE INDUSTRY BORROWED FROM MEXICO (AND LINGO: INDUSTRY BORROWED FROM MEXICO (AND LINGO: VAQUERO/ BUCKAROO, VAMOS/ VAMOOSE)VAQUERO/ BUCKAROO, VAMOS/ VAMOOSE)

A COWBOY, 1888. IN THE "GILDED AGE," OVER 30,000 A COWBOY, 1888. IN THE "GILDED AGE," OVER 30,000 PEOPLE WERE EMPLOYED IN THE WESTERN CATTLE PEOPLE WERE EMPLOYED IN THE WESTERN CATTLE INDUSTRY: COWBOYS, WRANGLERS, COOKSINDUSTRY: COWBOYS, WRANGLERS, COOKS

MANY COWBOYS WERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN (FREED SLAVES MANY COWBOYS WERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN (FREED SLAVES FROM TEXAS HAD SKILLS, WERE IN HIGH DEMAND, OPENED FROM TEXAS HAD SKILLS, WERE IN HIGH DEMAND, OPENED DOOR FOR OTHERS) DOOR FOR OTHERS) WHY HAVE COWBOYS USUALLY BEEN WHY HAVE COWBOYS USUALLY BEEN DEPICTED AS ALL-WHITE?DEPICTED AS ALL-WHITE?

BRANDING MAVERICKSBRANDING MAVERICKS

CATTLE TRAILSCATTLE TRAILS

CATTLE DRIVECATTLE DRIVE

WHY OPEN-RANGE RANCHING ENDED BY 1900 (END WHY OPEN-RANGE RANCHING ENDED BY 1900 (END OF THE "CATTLE FRONTIER" AND "WILD WEST")OF THE "CATTLE FRONTIER" AND "WILD WEST")

LOSS OF CATTLE DUE TO:LOSS OF CATTLE DUE TO:

OVERGRAZING THE MAIN REASONOVERGRAZING THE MAIN REASON

HARDSHIP OF LONG DRIVEHARDSHIP OF LONG DRIVE

BLIZZARD OF 1885, HARSH WINTERS 1886, 1887, BLIZZARD OF 1885, HARSH WINTERS 1886, 1887, DROUGHTS IN LATE '80s AND 90s. DROUGHTS IN LATE '80s AND 90s.

FARMERS FENCED OFF LAND WITH BARBED WIREFARMERS FENCED OFF LAND WITH BARBED WIRE

INVENTED INVENTED 1874 BY 1874 BY JOSEPH JOSEPH GLIDDENGLIDDEN

MILLIONS OF SHEEP ALSO WERE DRIVEN AND MILLIONS OF SHEEP ALSO WERE DRIVEN AND RAILED EAST DURING "GILDED ERA" - WHY DO YOU RAILED EAST DURING "GILDED ERA" - WHY DO YOU THINK LEGENDS OF THE "OLD WEST" FOCUS ONLY THINK LEGENDS OF THE "OLD WEST" FOCUS ONLY ON CATTLE?ON CATTLE?

CATTLE BARONS, REALIZING OPEN-RANGE CATTLE BARONS, REALIZING OPEN-RANGE RANCHING WAS INEFFICIENT, TURNED TO PRIVATE RANCHING WAS INEFFICIENT, TURNED TO PRIVATE RANCHES OR RANCHING ON FEDERAL LAND, RANCHES OR RANCHING ON FEDERAL LAND, FEEDING CATTLE WITH GRAIN, AND OTHER FEEDING CATTLE WITH GRAIN, AND OTHER "SCIENTIFIC" TECHNIQUES (INCLUDING TODAY "SCIENTIFIC" TECHNIQUES (INCLUDING TODAY INJECTING THEM WITH ANTIBIOTICS AND GROWTH INJECTING THEM WITH ANTIBIOTICS AND GROWTH HORMONES)HORMONES)

EVEN TODAY – MUCH RANCHING TAKES PLACE ON EVEN TODAY – MUCH RANCHING TAKES PLACE ON FEDERAL LANDFEDERAL LAND

JESSE JAMESJESSE JAMES

BILLY THE KIDBILLY THE KID

THE WILD WEST: LEGENDARY GUNSLINGERS THE WILD WEST: LEGENDARY GUNSLINGERS AND TRAIN ROBBERSAND TRAIN ROBBERS

WHY WAS THE WHY WAS THE WEST "WILD?"WEST "WILD?"

THERE WERE ALSO RANGE WARS, VIOLENT FEUDS THERE WERE ALSO RANGE WARS, VIOLENT FEUDS AND VENDETTAS . AND VENDETTAS .

FRONTIER! NO "GOVERNMENT" IN THE "UNCIVILIZED" FRONTIER! NO "GOVERNMENT" IN THE "UNCIVILIZED" PARTS, MOSTLY AD HOC JUSTICE IN THE "CIVILIZED" PARTS, MOSTLY AD HOC JUSTICE IN THE "CIVILIZED" PARTSPARTS

DODGE CITY PEACE COMMISSION, 1890DODGE CITY PEACE COMMISSION, 1890

THE FARMING FRONTIERTHE FARMING FRONTIER

HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1862: 160 ACRES OF HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1862: 160 ACRES OF FREE LAND TO ANY FAMILY WHO:FREE LAND TO ANY FAMILY WHO:

SETTLED ON IT AND FILED DEEDSETTLED ON IT AND FILED DEED

LIVED ON IT FOR 5 YEARSLIVED ON IT FOR 5 YEARS

"IMPROVED" IT"IMPROVED" IT

WHY? WHY?

TO TAKE IT FROM INDIANS AND HOLD IT!TO TAKE IT FROM INDIANS AND HOLD IT!

SETTLEMENT OF THE WEST – MOST BY RAILROADSETTLEMENT OF THE WEST – MOST BY RAILROAD

1887 ADVERTISMENT 1887 ADVERTISMENT FOR HOMESTEADS IN FOR HOMESTEADS IN DAKOTASDAKOTAS

WHAT'S THE WHAT'S THE MESSAGE?MESSAGE?

WHAT'S THE MESSAGE?WHAT'S THE MESSAGE?

THE REALITY – SOD HOUSE OR DUGOUT ON THE REALITY – SOD HOUSE OR DUGOUT ON THE PRAIRIE – FEW TREES & WOOD SCARCETHE PRAIRIE – FEW TREES & WOOD SCARCE

SODBUSTERSSODBUSTERS - THE GREAT PLAINS HAD BEEN - THE GREAT PLAINS HAD BEEN GRASSLANDS FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS – TOUGH SOD!GRASSLANDS FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS – TOUGH SOD!

THE JOHN DEERE CAST IRON/ STEEL PLOWTHE JOHN DEERE CAST IRON/ STEEL PLOWMADE IT POSSIBLEMADE IT POSSIBLEAND MADE DEEREAND MADE DEERE

A MILLIONAIRE!A MILLIONAIRE!MADE

BLACKBLACK“EXODUSTER”“EXODUSTER”HOMESTEADERSHOMESTEADERS

ABOUT 500,000 FAMILIES GOT FREE ABOUT 500,000 FAMILIES GOT FREE HOMESTEADS UNDER THE HOMESTEAD ACTHOMESTEADS UNDER THE HOMESTEAD ACT

BUT MOST OF THE LAND ENDED UP IN THE HANDS BUT MOST OF THE LAND ENDED UP IN THE HANDS OF LAND SPECULATORS AND RAILROADS OF LAND SPECULATORS AND RAILROADS

ABOUT 2.5 MILLION SETTLER FARMERS HAD TO ABOUT 2.5 MILLION SETTLER FARMERS HAD TO BUY LANDBUY LAND

INCLUDED MANY IMMIGRANTS, FROM AUSTRIAN INCLUDED MANY IMMIGRANTS, FROM AUSTRIAN EMPIRE, SCANDINAVIA, SOME FROM EASTERN EMPIRE, SCANDINAVIA, SOME FROM EASTERN EUROPE AND RUSSIA (BUT THOSE MOSTLY WENT EUROPE AND RUSSIA (BUT THOSE MOSTLY WENT TO CITIES)TO CITIES)

ABOUT 2/3 OF HOMESTEAD FARMS FAILEDABOUT 2/3 OF HOMESTEAD FARMS FAILED

PROBLEMS FOR FARMERSPROBLEMS FOR FARMERS

SCARCE WATER – FARMERS HAD TO LEARN DRY-SCARCE WATER – FARMERS HAD TO LEARN DRY-FARMING (MANY COULDN'T)FARMING (MANY COULDN'T)

THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD IT USED “PRAIRIE THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD IT USED “PRAIRIE FANS" – WINDMILL PUMPS TO GET DEEP FANS" – WINDMILL PUMPS TO GET DEEP GROUNDWATERGROUNDWATER

THERE WAS NO GUARANTEETHERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT A FARMER WHO BOUGHTTHAT A FARMER WHO BOUGHTA WINDMILL AND DRILLEDA WINDMILL AND DRILLEDWOULD FIND WATER – MANYWOULD FIND WATER – MANYDIDN’T. DIDN’T.

EXTREME WEATHER: BRUTAL WINTERS, EXTREME WEATHER: BRUTAL WINTERS, BLAZING SUMMERS, LITTLE RAIN, STORMS BLAZING SUMMERS, LITTLE RAIN, STORMS (BLIZZARDS, TORNADOES)(BLIZZARDS, TORNADOES)

PLAGUES OF GRASSHOPPERSPLAGUES OF GRASSHOPPERS

160 ACRES NOT ENOUGH FOR PLAINS FARMING160 ACRES NOT ENOUGH FOR PLAINS FARMING

NO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DAMS OR IRRIGATION NO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DAMS OR IRRIGATION UNTIL 1902 (NEWLANDS ACT) UNTIL 1902 (NEWLANDS ACT)

DEBT – FOR EQUIPMENT AND SEED (ALWAYS DEBT – FOR EQUIPMENT AND SEED (ALWAYS WANT SILVER STANDARD OR GREENBACKS)WANT SILVER STANDARD OR GREENBACKS)

AT THE MERCY OF RAILROADS AND GRAIN AT THE MERCY OF RAILROADS AND GRAIN ELEVATORS TO GET CROPS TO MARKETELEVATORS TO GET CROPS TO MARKET

THESE ARE FACTORS IN TNE RISE OF POPULISMTHESE ARE FACTORS IN TNE RISE OF POPULISM

AGRICULTURE IN THE 1880sAGRICULTURE IN THE 1880s

WESTERN DEMOGRAPHICSWESTERN DEMOGRAPHICS

NATIVE WHITE POPULATION BY REGION, 1900 NATIVE WHITE POPULATION BY REGION, 1900

INDIAN AND ASIAN POPULATION, BY REGION, 1900INDIAN AND ASIAN POPULATION, BY REGION, 1900

WESTERN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND CHINESE WESTERN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND CHINESE POPULATION, 1880 - 1900POPULATION, 1880 - 1900

INDIAN WARS – TAKING THE INDIAN WARS – TAKING THE WEST FROM THE PEOPLE WEST FROM THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE FIRST WHO WERE THERE FIRST

"AS LONG AS GRASS GROWS AND WATER RUNS" "AS LONG AS GRASS GROWS AND WATER RUNS" (OR UNTIL WE WANT THE WEST!)(OR UNTIL WE WANT THE WEST!)

"KILL AND SCALP ALL, "KILL AND SCALP ALL, BIG AND LITTLE! NITS BIG AND LITTLE! NITS MAKE LICE!"MAKE LICE!"

SANDY CREEK, CO SANDY CREEK, CO MASSACRE (CLEARING MASSACRE (CLEARING OUT INDIANS FOR OUT INDIANS FOR RAILROAD)RAILROAD)

NOVEMBER 29, 1864NOVEMBER 29, 1864

COLONEL JOHN CHIVINGTON SUMMED UP TRUE COLONEL JOHN CHIVINGTON SUMMED UP TRUE U.S. POLICYU.S. POLICY

GENERAL PHILIP SHERIDAN: “PHIL-ANTHROPY”:GENERAL PHILIP SHERIDAN: “PHIL-ANTHROPY”:

“THE ONLY GOOD INJUN IS A DEAD INJUN.”“THE ONLY GOOD INJUN IS A DEAD INJUN.”

U.S. INDIAN POLICY (GENOCIDE WAS NOT U.S. INDIAN POLICY (GENOCIDE WAS NOT ADMITTED)ADMITTED)

U.S. SYSTEMATICALLY TOOK OVER NATIVE LANDSU.S. SYSTEMATICALLY TOOK OVER NATIVE LANDS

TRIBES LOST THEIR LAND & FREEDOM TO LIVE TRIBES LOST THEIR LAND & FREEDOM TO LIVE ACCORDING TO TRADITIONSACCORDING TO TRADITIONS

DOZENS OF CULTURAL & TRIBAL GROUPS LIVED DOZENS OF CULTURAL & TRIBAL GROUPS LIVED IN THE WESTIN THE WEST

2/3 OF WESTERN TRIBES LIVED ON GREAT PLAINS2/3 OF WESTERN TRIBES LIVED ON GREAT PLAINSSOCIETY DEPENDENT ON BUFFALO SOCIETY DEPENDENT ON BUFFALO

RESERVATION POLICYRESERVATION POLICY

1830s -- REMOVED EASTERN INDIANS TO THE 1830s -- REMOVED EASTERN INDIANS TO THE WEST TO INDIAN COUNTRY WEST TO INDIAN COUNTRY

1850s - 1900 – MOVING WESTERN INDIANS OFF 1850s - 1900 – MOVING WESTERN INDIANS OFF THE PLAINS – WARSTHE PLAINS – WARS

1851- 1851- TREATY OF FORT LARAMIE:TREATY OF FORT LARAMIE: FEDERAL FEDERAL RECOGNIZED WESTERN TRIBE'S LAND CLAIMS – RECOGNIZED WESTERN TRIBE'S LAND CLAIMS – AGREED TO PAY $50K /YR FOR SAFE PASSAGE OF AGREED TO PAY $50K /YR FOR SAFE PASSAGE OF WHITE SETTLERS ALONG OREGON TRAIL, AND FOR WHITE SETTLERS ALONG OREGON TRAIL, AND FOR RIGHT TO BUILD RAILROADS (SIOUX, CHEYENNE, RIGHT TO BUILD RAILROADS (SIOUX, CHEYENNE, CROW, NAVAJO, ARAPAHO, OTHERS) CROW, NAVAJO, ARAPAHO, OTHERS)

. . BEGAN TO ASSIGN PLAINS TRIBES LARGE TRACTS BEGAN TO ASSIGN PLAINS TRIBES LARGE TRACTS OF LAND, TO GET THEM TO SETTLE DOWN AND FARM OF LAND, TO GET THEM TO SETTLE DOWN AND FARM (ON LAND WHITES DIDN'T WANT – YET)(ON LAND WHITES DIDN'T WANT – YET)

MOST TRIBES REFUSED TO RESTRICT THEMSELVES & MOST TRIBES REFUSED TO RESTRICT THEMSELVES & CONTINUED FOLLOWING BUFFALOCONTINUED FOLLOWING BUFFALO

1868: SECOND TREATY OF FORT LARAMIE1868: SECOND TREATY OF FORT LARAMIE

GENERAL GENERAL WILLIAM WILLIAM TECUMSEH TECUMSEH SHERMAN SHERMAN SIGNING SIGNING TREATYTREATY

TREATY TREATY SAID BLACK SAID BLACK HILLS HILLS BELONGED BELONGED TO LAKOTA TO LAKOTA SIOUX SIOUX FOREVERFOREVER

THERE WAS A SYSTEMATIC EFFORT TO THERE WAS A SYSTEMATIC EFFORT TO EXTERMINATE BUFFALO – THE TRIBES' MAINSTAYEXTERMINATE BUFFALO – THE TRIBES' MAINSTAY

SOON TO BE SOON TO BE FERTILIZER!FERTILIZER!

BUFFALO SOLDIERS (ALL-BLACK UNITS, OF COURSE) BUFFALO SOLDIERS (ALL-BLACK UNITS, OF COURSE) – ONE OPPRESSED RACE SET AGAINST ANOTHER– ONE OPPRESSED RACE SET AGAINST ANOTHER

THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORNTHE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORN

SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE GENERAL CUSTER WAS A SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE GENERAL CUSTER WAS A CELEBRITY: HE HAD A P.R. AGENT, GOT HIS PICTURE CELEBRITY: HE HAD A P.R. AGENT, GOT HIS PICTURE IN THE PAPERS REGULARLYIN THE PAPERS REGULARLY

WASHITA MASSACRE (AKA "BATTLE OF WASHITA) WASHITA MASSACRE (AKA "BATTLE OF WASHITA) 18681868

CUSTER RAIDED CHEYENNE VILLAGE AT DAWN. CUSTER RAIDED CHEYENNE VILLAGE AT DAWN. ABOUT 75 WOMEN AND CHILDREN KILLED, PLUS 50 – ABOUT 75 WOMEN AND CHILDREN KILLED, PLUS 50 – 100 "WARRIORS" 100 "WARRIORS"

AMONG THE DEAD, CHIEF BLACK AMONG THE DEAD, CHIEF BLACK KETTLE AND HIS WIFE, SHOT IN THE KETTLE AND HIS WIFE, SHOT IN THE BACK AS THEY TRIED TO ESCAPEBACK AS THEY TRIED TO ESCAPE

HE'D SURVIVED SAND CREEK HE'D SURVIVED SAND CREEK MASSACRE, OPPOSED GIVING UP MASSACRE, OPPOSED GIVING UP LAND TO WHITES, BUT ALSO OPPOSED LAND TO WHITES, BUT ALSO OPPOSED WARWAR

SO CUSTER – "YELLOW HAIR" – WAS WELL-KNOWN SO CUSTER – "YELLOW HAIR" – WAS WELL-KNOWN TO INDIANSTO INDIANS

1874 – CUSTER LED GEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION INTO 1874 – CUSTER LED GEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION INTO BLACK HILLS – GOLD DISCOVERED THEREBLACK HILLS – GOLD DISCOVERED THERE

SO MUCH FOR THE SECOND TREATY OF FORT SO MUCH FOR THE SECOND TREATY OF FORT LARAMIE!LARAMIE!

1876 – CUSTER AND SEVENTH CAVALRY ARRIVED IN 1876 – CUSTER AND SEVENTH CAVALRY ARRIVED IN DAKOTA TO MOVE LAKOTA SIOUX OUT OF BLACK DAKOTA TO MOVE LAKOTA SIOUX OUT OF BLACK HILLS TO RESERVATION (IN NEBRASKA) HILLS TO RESERVATION (IN NEBRASKA)

THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORNTHE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORN18761876

THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORNTHE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORN18761876

MEDIA AND MOST TEXTBOOKS DEPICTED HIM AS A MEDIA AND MOST TEXTBOOKS DEPICTED HIM AS A HERO UNTIL MID-20TH CENTURY HERO UNTIL MID-20TH CENTURY

CUSTER MIGHT CUSTER MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT OR MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN HAVE BEEN OUTNUMBERED OUTNUMBERED – BUT HE – BUT HE BLUNDERED!BLUNDERED!

OF ABOUT OF ABOUT 650 TROOPS 650 TROOPS WITH WITH CUSTER, 268 CUSTER, 268 WERE KILLED WERE KILLED AND 56 WERE AND 56 WERE WOUNDED WOUNDED

THE SIOUX COMMANDERS AT LITTLE BIG HORN (ALL THE SIOUX COMMANDERS AT LITTLE BIG HORN (ALL SURRENDERED EVENTUALLY) SURRENDERED EVENTUALLY)

SITTING BULL, SURRENDERED SITTING BULL, SURRENDERED 1881, MURDERED 1890 1881, MURDERED 1890

CRAZY HORSE, CRAZY HORSE, SURRENDERED SURRENDERED 1877, MURDERED 1877, MURDERED IMMEDIATELYIMMEDIATELY GALL, GALL,

SURRENDERED SURRENDERED 1881, DIED OF OLD 1881, DIED OF OLD AGE AGE

BATTLEFIELDBATTLEFIELDPHOTO PHOTO (WEEKS (WEEKS LATER) LATER)

EFFECT OF BATTLE: MANY MORE PEOPLE IN EFFECT OF BATTLE: MANY MORE PEOPLE IN EAST SUPPORTED EXTERMINATION OF INDIANSEAST SUPPORTED EXTERMINATION OF INDIANS

INDIAN INDIAN AGENCIES: AGENCIES: "REZ" INDIANS "REZ" INDIANS MADE MADE DEPENDENT ON DEPENDENT ON U.S. ARMY AND U.S. ARMY AND BUREAU OF BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS INDIAN AFFAIRS FOR FOOD, FOR FOOD, CLOTHING, CLOTHING, EVERYTHINGEVERYTHING

BIA STILL BIA STILL HOLDS MUCH HOLDS MUCH INDIAN MONEY INDIAN MONEY "IN TRUST""IN TRUST"

A "GOOD INDIAN" – CHIEF JOSEPH OF THE NEZ A "GOOD INDIAN" – CHIEF JOSEPH OF THE NEZ PERCEPERCE

SURRENDERED IN 1877 SURRENDERED IN 1877 AFTER FIGHTING FOR YEARS AFTER FIGHTING FOR YEARS TO AVOID BEING MOVED OFF TO AVOID BEING MOVED OFF TREATY LANDS IN OREGON TREATY LANDS IN OREGON TO RESERVATION IN IDAHO TO RESERVATION IN IDAHO

SUPPOSEDLY SAIDSUPPOSEDLY SAID," HEAR ME, MY CHIEFS! I AM " HEAR ME, MY CHIEFS! I AM TIRED; MY HEART IS SICK AND TIRED; MY HEART IS SICK AND SAD. FROM WHERE THE SUN SAD. FROM WHERE THE SUN NOW STANDS, I WILL FIGHT NOW STANDS, I WILL FIGHT NO MORE FOREVER."NO MORE FOREVER."

GREAT MESSAGE FOR OTHER GREAT MESSAGE FOR OTHER INDIANS – MAYBE WHY ARMY INDIANS – MAYBE WHY ARMY LAWYER/ POET WROTE IT!LAWYER/ POET WROTE IT!

CULTURAL GENOCIDE -- ASSIMILATIONISTSCULTURAL GENOCIDE -- ASSIMILATIONISTS

HELEN HUNT JACKSON, "A HELEN HUNT JACKSON, "A CENTURY OF DISHONOR" (1881)CENTURY OF DISHONOR" (1881)

CREATED SYMPATHY IN EAST CREATED SYMPATHY IN EAST FOR INDIANSFOR INDIANS

ADVOCATED "CIVILIZING THEM"ADVOCATED "CIVILIZING THEM"

JIBED WELL WITH GOVERNMENT JIBED WELL WITH GOVERNMENT DESIRE TO PUT ALL INDIANS ON DESIRE TO PUT ALL INDIANS ON RESERVATIONS RESERVATIONS

DAWES SEVERALTY ACT (1887)DAWES SEVERALTY ACT (1887)

ABANDONED PRACTICE OF DEALING WITH INDIAN ABANDONED PRACTICE OF DEALING WITH INDIAN

TRIBES; TREATED INDIANS AS A RACETRIBES; TREATED INDIANS AS A RACE

47 MILLION ACRES OF LAND DISTRIBUTED TO NATIVES 47 MILLION ACRES OF LAND DISTRIBUTED TO NATIVES AS INDIVIDUAL 160-ACRE HOMESTEADS AS INDIVIDUAL 160-ACRE HOMESTEADS

US CITIZENSHIP GRANTED TO THOSE WHO STAYED ON US CITIZENSHIP GRANTED TO THOSE WHO STAYED ON THE LAND 25 YEARS & “ADOPTED THE HABITS OF THE LAND 25 YEARS & “ADOPTED THE HABITS OF CIVILIZED LIFE.”CIVILIZED LIFE.”

90 MILLION ACRES OF FORMER RESERVATION LAND 90 MILLION ACRES OF FORMER RESERVATION LAND (OFTEN BEST LAND) WOULD BE SOLD TO WHITE (OFTEN BEST LAND) WOULD BE SOLD TO WHITE SETTLERS BY THE GOVERNMENT, SPECULATORS, OR SETTLERS BY THE GOVERNMENT, SPECULATORS, OR NATIVE AMERICANS THEMSELVESNATIVE AMERICANS THEMSELVES

BY 1900 DISEASE & POVERTY HAD REDUCED INDIAN BY 1900 DISEASE & POVERTY HAD REDUCED INDIAN POPULATION TO 200,000POPULATION TO 200,000

TO ENSURE "CIVILIZATION" OF INDIANS, INDIAN TO ENSURE "CIVILIZATION" OF INDIANS, INDIAN FAMILIES WERE FORCED TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN FAMILIES WERE FORCED TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLSTO INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

THIS SEPARATED CHILDREN FROM THEIR THIS SEPARATED CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND CONTACT WITH THEIR CULTURES – FAMILIES AND CONTACT WITH THEIR CULTURES – COMPARE NAZI LEBENSBORN PROGRAMCOMPARE NAZI LEBENSBORN PROGRAM

THEY WERE THEY WERE BEATEN INTO BEATEN INTO CHRISTIANITY, CHRISTIANITY, SPEAKING ONLY SPEAKING ONLY ENGLISH, ENGLISH, WEARING WHITE-WEARING WHITE-PEOPLE CLOTHES, PEOPLE CLOTHES, ETC.ETC.

CARLISLE INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, CARLISLE INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, PENNSYLVANIA PENNSYLVANIA

THREE LAKOTA SIOUX BOYS – BEFORE AND AFTERTHREE LAKOTA SIOUX BOYS – BEFORE AND AFTER

IN THE 1880s, THE WEST WAS ALREADY THE IN THE 1880s, THE WEST WAS ALREADY THE SUBJECT OF NOSTALGIA AND MYTH – AND SUBJECT OF NOSTALGIA AND MYTH – AND SHOW BIZ!SHOW BIZ!

STARS OF BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST SHOW STARS OF BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST SHOW INCLUDED SITTING BULL AND ANNIE OAKLEYINCLUDED SITTING BULL AND ANNIE OAKLEY

1890: CENSUS BUREAU ANNOUNCED THE 1890: CENSUS BUREAU ANNOUNCED THE FRONTIER WAS CLOSED: THE WEST WAS WONFRONTIER WAS CLOSED: THE WEST WAS WON

BUT WE WEREN'T DONE KILLING INDIANS!BUT WE WEREN'T DONE KILLING INDIANS!

1890: INDIAN GHOST DANCE MOVEMENT – 1890: INDIAN GHOST DANCE MOVEMENT – RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT. RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT.

LAST-DITCHED EFFORT TO RESIST ANNIHILATION LAST-DITCHED EFFORT TO RESIST ANNIHILATION OF INDIAN CULTUREOF INDIAN CULTURE

PAIUTE "PROPHET" WAKOWA – PREACHED PAIUTE "PROPHET" WAKOWA – PREACHED DANCING WOULD RESTORE LANDS, ETC., BULLETS DANCING WOULD RESTORE LANDS, ETC., BULLETS WOULDN'T PIERCE GHOST-DANCE SHIRTWOULDN'T PIERCE GHOST-DANCE SHIRT

WOKOWA, GHOST-WOKOWA, GHOST-DANCE SHIRT, GHOST DANCE SHIRT, GHOST DANCERSDANCERS

THE ODDS THAT THE INDIANS COULD TAKE BACK THE ODDS THAT THE INDIANS COULD TAKE BACK THEIR LAND WERE ABOUT NILTHEIR LAND WERE ABOUT NIL

BUT U.S. GOVERNMENT SENT ARMY TO STAMP OUT BUT U.S. GOVERNMENT SENT ARMY TO STAMP OUT THE GHOST DANCE MOVEMENTTHE GHOST DANCE MOVEMENT

SEVENTH CAVALRY SENT TO PINE RIDGE SIOUX SEVENTH CAVALRY SENT TO PINE RIDGE SIOUX RESERVATION BECAUSE SITTING BULL (RETIRED, RESERVATION BECAUSE SITTING BULL (RETIRED, NEARLY 70) LIVED THERE – FEARED HE WOULD NEARLY 70) LIVED THERE – FEARED HE WOULD SUPPORT GHOST DANCE MOVEMENTSUPPORT GHOST DANCE MOVEMENT

ARMY GOT SITTING BULL OUT OF BED, SHOT AND ARMY GOT SITTING BULL OUT OF BED, SHOT AND KILLED HIMKILLED HIM

NEXT DAY, MASSACRED INDIANS ON RESERVATION, NEXT DAY, MASSACRED INDIANS ON RESERVATION, KILLED NEARLY 200 (31 SOLDIERS KILLED BY KILLED NEARLY 200 (31 SOLDIERS KILLED BY "FRIENDLY FIRE""FRIENDLY FIRE"

WOUNDED KNEEWOUNDED KNEE

MASS GRAVE, WOUNDED KNEEMASS GRAVE, WOUNDED KNEE

MOUNT RUSHMORE, IN THE BLACK HILLSMOUNT RUSHMORE, IN THE BLACK HILLSIT WAS SIOUX SACRED GROUND SO WE PUT OUR IT WAS SIOUX SACRED GROUND SO WE PUT OUR STAMP ON IT STAMP ON IT

1899: OKLAHOMA LAND RACE: THE VERY LAND 1899: OKLAHOMA LAND RACE: THE VERY LAND THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BELONG TO THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BELONG TO CHEROKEE AS LONG AS GRASS GROWS AND CHEROKEE AS LONG AS GRASS GROWS AND WATER RUNSWATER RUNS

THESE ARE BOOMERS – SOONERS (CHEATERS) THESE ARE BOOMERS – SOONERS (CHEATERS) WERE ALREADY ON LAND!WERE ALREADY ON LAND!