Cultures Clash on the Prairie
What were the responsibilities of the members of Plains Indian families?
men- hunted for food
women- prepared the food and hides
children practiced the skills they would need as adults
What was the significance of the Comstock Lode?
first major discovery of silver in the US miners took about 500 Million from the Comstock Lode
How did the government and the railroads encourage settlement of the West?
government offered land giveaways railroads sold some of their land to farmers for low prices
What steps did farmers take to address their concerns?
they formed the Grange and Farmers alliance, they educated each other
assimilation
name of plan to make Native Americans part of white culture
What were the reasons for the clashes between the US government and the Sioux
settlers taking native American land, treaties that were not honored, Golds Rush
What are two factors that helped the cattle business grow?
herds of buffalo disappeared, Native Americans forced onto reservations, fast growing cities in the East
Name at least one social hardship farmers faced
they lived isolated from one another
which groups did the populist party appeal to the most?
struggling farmers, laborers
Chisolm trail
major cattle route from San Antonio Texas through Oklahoma to Kansas
What were the two reasons assimilation failed?
Native American culture did not include private landownership, nearly all the buffalo were gone
what factor brought about the rise of the cowboy?
the meeting of the Chisolm Trail and the railroad in Abilene Kansas
name one financial or economic hardship the farmers faced
they often went into debt
why had farming become unprofitable during this period?
falling crop prices, mortgaged farms, high transportation costs, high rates of interest
Homestead Act
act that offered free land to western settlers
what happened at Sand Creek?
Cheyenne were attacked without warning by US army, more than 150 native americans were killed
What drew people to the West?
many hoped to strike it rich by finding gold and other minerals
What was the Morrill act?
act that helped establish agricultural colleges
what economic reforms did the populist party call for?
an increase in the money supply, bank regulation, changes to income tax, government ownership of railroad companies
Populism
political movement that sought advancement for farmers and laborers
What were the terms of the Treaty of Fort Laramie?
the Sioux agreed to live on reservations
What effect did the railroad have on cattle ranching in the great plains?
ranchers could get cattle to the market cities faster
what was a soddy?
a frontier home usually dug into a hill or made from sod
Which parties favored bimetallism?
democrats and populists
Bimetallism
backing money with silver and gold