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Big Idea: Societies change over time. 
Following Reconstruction, many people moved West in hopes of making fortunes mining newly discovered deposits of gold, silver, and copper needed for industries in the East. As railroads were constructed, settlers also moved to the Great Plains to farm or ranch. This influx of settlers had a profound effect on the lives of the Native Americans who had roamed the Plains for centuries. Hunters and sharpshooters clearing the way for railroads drastically depleted the buffalo herds many Native Americans depended on for survival. Many were forced to relocate or give up their culture by assimilating.
Main IDEA: Miners seeking to strike it rich settled large areas of the West. 
  • Mining- Gold, silver, copper --> Big Strikes in towns from BOOM town to GHOST town.
  • Crime a serious problem for prospectors. Few law enforcers, vigilance committees formed. pg 238
  • Women scarce in boom towns, then soon came in droves. What type of jobs did they do? pg 238
  • Billions of dollars were mined (SF/Denver)
Great Plains/Montana+Dakotas, miners migrated in 1870s --> R.R. soon came in 1880s, Farmers/Ranchers soon after.

Main IDEA: Ranchers built vast cattle ranches on the Great Plains, while settlers staked out homesteads and began farming the region. 
  1. Miners
  2. Farmers
  3. Ranchers
Longhorn adapted, and the open range was government owned land for grazing purposes. Railroad will become instrumental in future beef sales.

Homestead Act- Pg. 240
  • Wheat Belt - More drought resistant, better farming technology 1880s. 
  • Life on the prarie was rough. Trees/Water scarce. Sod Homes dug from wells, prairie fires, summers 100+ temps, grasshopper plagues that ruined crops, blizzard type winters, but the people adapted.

Main IDEA: The settlement of the West dramatically altered the way of life of the Plains Indians.
  • For centuries, Native American nations lived throughout the Great Plains Region in communities farming and hunting. Some were nomads as well, with buffalo being the main source of food.
  • By 1889, Buffalo were almost extinct (professional buffalo hunters, sharp shooters working for R.R. Companies
Indian Peace Commission- Pg. 241
  • An era of broken promises and assaults, led to a period of assimilation/absorption into mainstream American society.
  • The buffalo were an integral part of their culture, the Plains Indians were doomed.
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