The American West, 1840–95

The American West, 1840–95

Manifest Destiny and the Westward Expansion

  • The concept of ‘Manifest Destiny’ was a driving force behind the westward expansion. It was the belief that the American settlers were destined to expand throughout the continent.
  • Oregon Trail was a major route for settlers moving west, which stretched from Missouri to Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
  • The California Gold Rush (1848-1855) led to a rapid increase in population and economic growth in California.

Impact on Native American Tribes

  • Major tribes in the West included the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Apache. They had complex societies with well-established trading networks.
  • Westward expansion frequently resulted in violent conflict between settlers and Native Americans, known as the Indian Wars.
  • Reservation policy sought to confine Native Americans to specific land areas, forcing profound changes in their traditional lifestyles.

The Homestead Act

  • The Homestead Act of 1862 granted settlers 160 acres of public land for a small fee, provided they improve it by building a dwelling and cultivating crops.
  • The Act was instrumental in populating the West, but also faced criticism for encouraging poor farming practices and land speculation.

Life in the West

  • Life in the West was characterized by hard work and self-reliance. Settlers had to build their own homes and grow their food.
  • Cowboy culture, including ranching and cowboy codes, played a significant role in shaping the identity of the West.
  • Entertainment often consisted of social gatherings like barn dances, storytelling, and music.

Impact on the American Economy and Society

  • Westward expansion increased competition for resources leading to significant events like the Texas cattle boom and grain agriculture.
  • The Transcontinental Railroad, finished in 1869, linked Western and Eastern markets, opening up new opportunities for trade and migration.
  • Settlement of the West contributed to the end of the frontier by the late 19th century, declared by Historian Frederick Jackson Turner in 1893.

Conflicts and Laws of the Old West

  • The West was known for its lawlessness, with gunfights and conflicts like the infamous OK Corral shootout.
  • Significant lawmen of the era included Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok, and outlaws like Billy the Kid and Jesse James.
  • Vigilantism was common as settlers took matters into their own hands due to lack of law enforcement.

The Closing of the Frontier

  • The Dawes Act of 1887 sought to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments.
  • The Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 marked the end of major Native American resistance to the westward expansion.
  • By the Census of 1890, the frontier was declared closed as there was no longer a clear line of advancing settlement.