The US grows westward

The U.S. Grows Westward

​W.A.L.T. We Are learning to

• identify the U.S. government policies that promoted westward expansion

• describe how western expansion affected Native Americans

The Gilded Age

Gilded Age- Described as a time of rapid growth with serious social problems that emerged as a result

After the Civil War and the end of Reconstruction, the United States transformed itself from a mostly rural, agricultural society to an urban and industrial society.

New immigrants arrived and provided much of the labor that fueled the industries powered by technological innovation.

Gilded means covered in a thin layer of gold-growth that appears golden on the outside, serious social and political problems existed underneath.

The Homestead Act

moved West in search of quick profits during the gold and silver rushes. Bison hunters were seeking fur, for which there was a great demand for clothing. It was the land that drew the most migrants and immigrants to the West.

In 1862, Congress passed the Homestead Act, allowing male citizens (or those who declared their intent to become citizens) to claim federally owned lands in the West. Promoted the settlement of the West.

Exodusters-Southern African Americans chose to migrate toward the West to leave behind the harsh realities of racism in the Jim Crow South

The Transcontinental Railroad

Aside from agriculture, two major industries fueled the transformation of the West: ranching and railroads

Pacific Railroad Act in 1862. This act authorized the construction of the first transcontinental railroad connecting the East and West coasts. Its construction was considered to be one of the greatest American technological feats of the nineteenth century.

The national network of railroads helped to grow the business of ranching, in which people raised grazing animals such as cattle and sheep over large areas of land. brought profits supplying beef for the growing population of the United States

Cultures Clash

The development of the railroad had a lasting effect on the culture of Native American nations.
government took land that was designated as Native peoples' territory and gave it to railroad companies.

indigenous people surrendered lands to the U.S. government in exchange for lands that were promised to be "reserved" for their people. These areas became known as reservations.

American westward migration grew, and settlers began to argue that Native people had more than their fair share of land and that the reservations were too big.

The series of conflicts in the western United States between Native Americans, American settlers, and the U.S. Army are generally known as the American Indian Wars.

Some believed that they could change the culture and ways of life of indigenous people to eliminate their resistance to American expansion.

Assimilation

Religious organizations motivated by their beliefs and government officials argued for the assimilation of indigenous people.

Assimilation is the process in which a minority group adopts the culture, language, and behaviors of the dominant culture group

Assimilation Policies 

• Gave land to Native American families. 

• Made Native American children to attend boarding school. 

• The main purpose of these policies was to force Native Americans to change their cultural practices and adopt American culture and values. 

Summary

The U.S. government created policies and took action to promote the economic development of the West.

The transcontinental railroad made movement, communication, and economic trade more efficient.

Railroads enabled the cattle ranching industry to grow and meet the demand for beef in the East.

Violent clashes between indigenous people and settlers prompted many violent confrontations known as the American Indian Wars.

The U.S. government tried to assimilate indigenous people, but instead weakened the traditional cultures of Native people