The Middle Period (1862-1876)

This period saw increased settlement and infrastructure development through various government initiatives and economic activities.

Definition: The Homestead Act of 1862 provided settlers with 160 acres of land for a minimal fee.

Highlight: The development of cow towns and railroads significantly transformed the western landscape.

Example: Abilene, established by Joseph McCoy, became the first prominent cow town.

Quote: "Hell on wheels" towns emerged along railroad construction sites, characterized by lawlessness and rapid growth.

The American West: 1835-1862

The American West during this period was characterized by westward expansion, conflicts with Native American tribes, and significant cultural and economic changes. This era saw the implementation of policies that encouraged settlement and the exploitation of natural resources.

Native American Life and Culture

Native American tribes in the West had complex social structures and belief systems:

• Bands were led by chiefs chosen for their wisdom and warrior skills.
• Warrior societies played important roles in hunting and warfare.
• Tribes held annual meetings and were part of larger nations.

Highlight: The nomadic lifestyle of many Plains Indian tribes was closely tied to buffalo migrations.

Native American beliefs about land and nature were fundamental to their way of life:

• They believed in sacred lands, such as the Black Hills.
• The concept of land ownership was foreign to them.
• They saw humans as part of nature, not separate from it.

Definition: Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was God's will for white Americans to settle across all of America.

Importance of Buffalo and Horses

Buffalo were crucial to Plains Indian survival:

• Used for food, clothing, and equipment.
• The heart was believed to give new life to the herd.
• Meat was stored for winter.

Horses revolutionized Plains Indian life:

• Made buffalo hunting more efficient.
• Measured wealth and status.
• Enabled a more nomadic lifestyle.
• Used in warfare.

Westward Migration

Several factors drove westward migration:

• Pull factors: freedom, fertile land, space, Oregon Trail, gold.
• Push factors: collapse of wheat prices, overpopulation, unemployment.

Example: The Gold Rush of 1849 led thousands to use the Oregon Trail in search of fortune, though most were unsuccessful.

Consequences of Westward Expansion

The Gold Rush had significant consequences:

• Increased lawlessness in mining camps.
• Mass settlement in California.
• Racial tensions and conflicts.

Highlight: The importance of the Gold Rush (1849) for migration to the West cannot be overstated, as it dramatically accelerated settlement and development.

Mormon migration to Salt Lake City was notable for its organization:

• Groups had specific leaders and roles.
• Careful planning ensured adequate food and regular rests.

Government Policies and Treaties

Several key policies and treaties shaped this period:

• Indian Removal Act (1830): Forced Native Americans to move west.
• Indian Trade and Intercourse Act (1834): Established a frontier between the USA and Indian territories.
• Fort Laramie Treaty (1851): Attempted to manage relations between settlers and Native Americans.

Vocabulary: Reservations were areas of land set aside for Native American tribes to live on, often much smaller than their original territories.

Challenges of Western Life

Settlers faced numerous challenges:

• Extreme weather conditions.
• Lack of water and trees.
• Prairie fires and grasshopper infestations.
• Lawlessness and inadequate law enforcement.

Example: The Donner Party tragedy highlighted the dangers of westward migration, with settlers resorting to cannibalism after being trapped by heavy snow.