Lecture Notes on Westward Migration Post-Civil War: Society and Culture

Summary

This lecture covered the society and culture aspects of westward migration after the Civil War, specifically from 1877 to 1898. It built on previous discussions about technological and economic aspects, focusing this time on the lifestyle and interactions of settlers, particularly with the Native American populations. Key points included the role of cattle driving, the transformation brought by homesteaders, the closing of the frontier, and the impact on Native American communities.

Detailed Notes

Causes and Effects of Westward Settlement

1. Post-Civil War Settlement:

   • Expansion driven by desire for self-sufficiency and independence.
   • By the end of the 19th century, America's frontier was considered settled.
   • Significant encouragements: Homestead Act and transcontinental railroads.

2. Life on the Frontier:

   • Introduction of large cattle herds to the Great Plains.
   • Railroads facilitated cattle trade, romanticizing the cowboy image.
   • Introduction of barbed wire fencing ended open cattle drives and landscape began to change with homesteaders termed as "sodbusters."

Changes in Land Ownership

• Approximately 20% of settlers acquired land through the government's free land offers.
• Others purchased land from railroad companies, who acquired it cheaply from the government.
• Eventual shift towards larger agri-business due to increasing mechanization of agriculture.

Significance of the Closing Frontier

• Fredrick Jackson Turner’s Thesis:
  • Published in 1893, it suggested that the closing of the American frontier might lead to social and class conflicts similar to those in Europe, as the frontier had been a socio-economic safety valve.

Impact on Native Americans

1. Establishment of Reservations:

   • Introduction of reservation system to manage "Indian Problem".
   • Native lifestyles disrupted, particularly by restrictions on following buffalo herds.

2. Decimation of Buffalo:

   • Mass killing by railroad workers and passengers, severely impacting Native food sources and cultural practices.

3. Indian Sovereignty and Wars:

   • Federal legislation like the Indian Appropriation Act of 1871 ended recognition of Indian sovereignty.
   • Led to conflicts such as the Sioux Wars; subsequent treaties further restricted Indian territories, especially after discoveries of valuable resources like gold on their lands.

4. Dawes Act of 1887:

   • Aimed to assimilate Indians by dividing reservation lands into plots for individual farming.
   • Offered U.S. citizenship under conditions of cultural assimilation.

5. Ghost Dance Movement:

   • A spiritual and resistance movement among Native Americans aiming to restore their autonomy.
   • Culminated in the Wounded Knee Massacre (1890), marking a tragic end of Native armed resistance.

Conclusion

The westward expansion, while creating new opportunities and societies, also culminated in significant cultural clashes and transitions, particularly for the Native American populations whose lives were irrevocably changed by these migrations and policies.

Additional Resources

• For further details, refer to the provided playlist and additional video materials to aid in understanding Unit 6 of the AP U.S. History curriculum.

Professor's Closing Remarks

• The lecture was concluded with a call to engage with more resources for better comprehension and exam preparation. Students were also encouraged to subscribe for ongoing educational content.