Unit 6: Unit 6: America TransformedAmerica Transformed

Chapter 19: Growth in the Chapter 19: Growth in the West West

Cattle TrailsCattle Trails Where did they Where did they

start?start? Which direction Which direction

did they go?did they go? Where did they Where did they

end up?end up? Why in those Why in those

towns?towns? Where did the Where did the

cattle go from cattle go from there?there?

How would you How would you make a profit?make a profit?

Who made this Who made this profit? And, how profit? And, how much?much?

How much would How much would the cowboys get?the cowboys get?

Most people see cowboys as Most people see cowboys as heroesheroes

Why or why not?Why or why not? What are some qualities of heroes?What are some qualities of heroes? Who are some?Who are some? Any around Barrington?Any around Barrington? Do they get recognized for what they Do they get recognized for what they

do?do?

Actually there were very few cowboys Actually there were very few cowboys living on the living on the frontierfrontier (only about (only about

40,000)40,000)

This time period only lasted about 20-30 This time period only lasted about 20-30 yearsyears

(the west became a lot more settled (the west became a lot more settled later)later)

A huge invention: barbed wire

In 1859 – gold was discovered In 1859 – gold was discovered at the at the Comstock LodeComstock Lode

And again (like And again (like California in 1849), California in 1849), many people many people wanted to go get wanted to go get rich.rich.

Most people knew things about Most people knew things about the West from readingthe West from reading ““dime dime

novelsnovels””These were stories written by easterners – glamorizing the These were stories written by easterners – glamorizing the west and west and ““stretchingstretching”” the truth. the truth.

(and trying to make money by selling books)(and trying to make money by selling books)

Another biggest reason to go west Another biggest reason to go west was to be part of the cattle was to be part of the cattle

industryindustry One of the early and most One of the early and most

famous trails to get west famous trails to get west was called the Chisholm was called the Chisholm TrailTrail

It was named for Jesse It was named for Jesse Chisholm who had built Chisholm who had built several trading posts in what several trading posts in what is now western Oklahomais now western Oklahoma

The Average Cowboy:The Average Cowboy: Early 20Early 20’’s.s. Most were Southerners – Most were Southerners –

who had nothing to do who had nothing to do after fighting in the Civil after fighting in the Civil War.War.

1/7 were Black.1/7 were Black. 1/7 were Mexican.1/7 were Mexican. Lived very private lives Lived very private lives

(didn(didn’’t even know each t even know each others last names others last names sometimes).sometimes).

Today would just be called Today would just be called ““ranchers.ranchers.””

Cowboys were Cowboys were notnot In gunfights at noon in the center of townIn gunfights at noon in the center of town In huge saloon brawlsIn huge saloon brawls Always shooting at each otherAlways shooting at each other Involved in lots of Cowboy/Indian fightsInvolved in lots of Cowboy/Indian fights Involved in lots of bank hold-ups and Involved in lots of bank hold-ups and

train robberiestrain robberies WomenWomen Having great times all the time– they Having great times all the time– they

worked very hard most of the timeworked very hard most of the time

Some other words that have to Some other words that have to do with the west in the late do with the west in the late

18001800’’ss Sod bustersSod busters Grain elevator Grain elevator Long drive Long drive Round up Round up Cow town Cow town HomesteadsHomesteads

Some general vocabulary Some general vocabulary WordsWords

Sod bustersSod busters: the first farmers who plowed : the first farmers who plowed up the prairie sod in the westup the prairie sod in the west

Grain elevatorGrain elevator: building for storing grain: building for storing grain Long driveLong drive: trip of cattle from the range to : trip of cattle from the range to

the railroad linesthe railroad lines Round upRound up: bringing the cattle together for : bringing the cattle together for

the long drivethe long drive Cow townCow town: small railroad towns cattle were : small railroad towns cattle were

driven to (busy once a year, but otherwise driven to (busy once a year, but otherwise dull places)dull places)

HomesteadsHomesteads: land to settle on and farm: land to settle on and farm