The Making of America, 1789-1900 Revision Notes

Factors Driving Westward Expansion (1861-1877)

Several key factors accelerated American westward expansion onto the Great Plains after the Civil War. The Homestead Act of 1862 promised 160 acres of free land to settlers, attracting thousands seeking new opportunities and a fresh start. The discovery of gold and silver in areas like Colorado and Nevada also spurred migrations, leading to boomtowns and further encroachment on Native American territories. The construction of transcontinental railroads, such as the Union Pacific and Central Pacific, was vital; these railroads not only provided faster, safer travel for settlers but also enabled the efficient transport of agricultural produce and mined resources back east, making settlement economically viable. Government policies actively promoted this expansion, often at the expense of Native American land claims. The belief in 'Manifest Destiny' also played a significant ideological role, fostering the idea that it was America's divinely ordained right to expand across the continent.

Impact of Settlement on Native American Life

The influx of settlers had devastating consequences for Native American tribes on the Plains. Their nomadic lifestyle, centered around hunting the vast buffalo herds, was severely disrupted. Settlers fenced off land for farming, disrupting buffalo migration routes. The systematic slaughter of buffalo, often encouraged by the US government and railroad companies, drastically reduced herd numbers, stripping Native Americans of their primary food source, clothing, and shelter. Treaties were often broken, and Native Americans were increasingly confined to reservations, leading to loss of traditional lands, cultural practices, and self-governance. The establishment of military forts and the presence of US Army troops further enforced these changes, often resulting in violent clashes. This period marked a profound loss for Native American communities, leading to widespread poverty, disease, and psychological trauma.

Key Conflicts and Government Policies

The period was characterized by a series of conflicts between Native American tribes and the US Army, often called the 'Indian Wars'. Significant events include the Sand Creek Massacre (1864), where US troops attacked a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village, and the Battle of Little Bighorn (1876), a major Native American victory led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse against General Custer's forces. Government policy shifted from treaty-making to forced removal and assimilation. The reservation system aimed to concentrate tribes in designated areas, often on less desirable land, to 'civilize' them and free up land for white settlement. Efforts were made to suppress Native American languages, religions, and traditions, replaced with American customs. This era saw a concerted effort by the US government to assert control over the Plains and its indigenous inhabitants.