Presentations cont.
Chapter 5.1- Native Americans
- Native American Culture- They were simple people, horses came in late 1500's. Coup sticks were popular. Tribes would poke their enemies with it and if they survived they would be accepted. Buffalo were important. Council would run the tribe as a whole never just one person
- Settlers moving west- Settlers believed they owned the land, native Americans where the exact opposite, the idea of striking rich was wanted by all. They drove many native Americans out.
- Restrictions on the Native Americans- Wasn't until the 1850's when the restrictions began. Many native Americans disagreed and continued hunting on other lands. It made many problems with two completely different cultures.
- Death toll rises- Massacre of Cheyenne at Sand Creek in 1864. Battle of the Hundred Slain or Fetterman Massacre Crazy horse came into a settlers town and killed 80 settlers. Red River War with the Kiowa and Comanche from 1874 to 1875. War pretty much just broke out between the settlers and Indians
- Assimilation- Native Americans joining the "white" culture. The Dawes act, 160 acres per family and 80 for unmarried. by 1932 whites had taken more than two-thirds of the land back. In 1800 65 million buffalo roamed the Midwest. 1890 only 1000 remained. in 1900 only one heard was left.
- Cowboys- As meat got more and more wanted someone had to move them. Moved large herds of cattle of north to be slaughtered and sold for food. Season began with Roundup in Spring. Next came the Long Drive which would last about three months. Then came barbwire fences and trains so they were losing their jobs. End of cowboys jobs left as fast as they came.
Chapter 5.2- Settling on the Plains
- Beginning of the Railroads- Between 1850 and 1871 land grants worth about and half a billion dollars were given for the purpose of laying the track. Union Pacific started in Omaha.
- Homestead Act- Gave settlers 160 acres. Congress signed it in 1852. You just had to settle it.
- Challenges of the Plains- Drought, floods, fires, blizzards, locusts, plagues, and the occasional raid by outlaws. Houses were usually dugouts or soddies.
- Agriculture- John Deere created the plow. McCormick created the Reaping Machine. The Morril Act set up schools for agriculture.
5.3- Farmers and the Populous movement
- Problems- High crop prices. Farmland was hard to find. Excessive shipping prices.
- Rough Economy- Green backs taken away they were put in place during the world war and then took it back as the war ended. farmers received less money for their crops so they couldn't pay back their loans. Value of money was increased.
- Populists- "the peoples party" A U.S. political party that sought to represent the interests of farmers and the laborers. Increased the currency issue. free coinage of gold and silver. public ownership of railroads. Graduated Federal income tax.
Then we watched America the Story of Us video.
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