Lecture Notes: The American West

Section 1: Introduction

• Native Americans dominated the American West before the 19th century.
• Various indigenous groups had cultural and geographic links via trade, travel, warfare.
• European and American traders integrated into economies, but no power controlled the West until after the Civil War.
• Post-Civil War led to U.S. expansion westward with industrialization and population growth.
• Indigenous people were moved to reservations, often violating treaties.
• Westward expansion seen as triumph or tragedy.

Section 2: Post-Civil War Westward Migration

• Post-Civil War settlers aimed for heart of the continent, not just coasts.
• Gold and silver rushes attracted many migrants.
  • Key events: Colorado (1858), Nevada (1859), Idaho (1860), Montana (1863), Black Hills (1874).
  • Mining towns provided employment opportunities, especially for women.
• Bison hunting for industrial and clothing industries led to near extinction by 1880s.
• Railroads promoted cattle ranching over bison.
• Mormons fled persecution, migrated to Utah, aiding other travelers.
• Homestead Act (1862) allowed land claims, promoting agricultural settlement.

Section 3: The Indian Wars and Federal Peace Policies

• Indian Wars: Series of conflicts between U.S. military and Native groups.
• Post-Civil War policies isolated Indians on reservations.
• Notable conflicts:
  • Dakota War (1862): Tensions due to illegal settlements, starvation.
  • Sand Creek Massacre (1864): Peace-seeking Cheyenne attacked by militia.
  • Red River War (1874): Comanche resistance, eventual reservation confinement.
  • Battle of Little Bighorn (1876): Sioux victory, Custer's defeat.
• U.S. Indian Peace Policy (1868) sought to "Christianize" policies.

Section 4: Beyond the Plains

• Other groups (Utes, Paiutes) displaced by U.S. expansion.
• Navajo Long Walk: Forced relocation to Bosque Redondo, high mortality.
  • 1868 treaty allowed return to homeland.
• Modoc War (1872), Nez Perce flight (1877): Resistance efforts.
• California Native population drastically declined due to violence and slavery-like laws.

Section 5: Western Economic Expansion

• Railroads and ranching key to economic development.
• Transcontinental Railroad (1869) linked West Coast to Eastern networks.
• Immigrant labor (Irish, Chinese) vital to railroad construction.
• Chicago became key hub between plains and eastern markets.
• Cattle drives created market for beef, shaped cowboys' image.

Section 6: The Allotment Era and Resistance in the Native West

• Dawes Act (1887): Allocated lands to individual Native families.
• Aimed to assimilate Native Americans to American farming.
• The Ghost Dance movement: Cultural and spiritual resistance.
  • Wounded Knee Massacre (1890) marked end of armed resistance.

Section 7: Rodeos, Wild West Shows, and Mythic American West

• Dime novels, rodeos, and Wild West shows mythologized the West.
• Rodeos began as local contests, evolved into popular celebrations.
• Buffalo Bill's Wild West shows: Mass entertainment showcasing frontier life.
  • Featured cowboys, Indians, sharpshooters, etc.
  • Annie Oakley became a popular female performer.

Section 8: The West as History - The Turner Thesis

• Frederick Jackson Turner's "Frontier Thesis" (1893) influential in historical understanding.
• Suggested frontier defined American character and democracy.
• Criticized for ignoring non-white experiences and contributions.
• Captured romanticized view of the West as progress.