American West Revision Guide Contents 1. What to expect from the exam 2. The Plains Indians 3. The White Settlers 4. The Struggle for the Plains 5. Test yourself
What to expect from the exam The American West will be examined only in paper one this will be the first paper you sit. The paper contains sources but the questions will be mainly based on your knowledge You can gain the most marks by writing in detail. This means explained points backed up by relevant facts. Read the instructions carefully. They will tell you exactly how many questions you have to answer. Do not answer any more questions than you need to The American West is only one part of the first paper. You will also be required to answer questions on medicine through time. For the American West section of paper one you will have to answer two questions. The first will be a compulsory source based question in three parts. Part A will require understanding of the sources, inference and the ability to combine the sources. The wording of the question will be along the lines of What can you learn from the sources about.. Part B will be on the same topic as part A but you will not have to use the sources. The question could focus on key features, change, cause or consequence. Types of question you could see are Describe the problems faced by/methods used by/impact of. In what ways did change? What impact did.have on.? Part C will also focus on key features, change, cause and consequence but as there are more marks available for that question you will have to add more detail to your answer. The second American West question will be an essay style question. You will have a choice of two questions; each will be supported by source material. The source material is there to help you. You do not have to restrict yourself to only writing about the information you see in the sources and you will not lose marks by not referring to the sources in your answer. Types of questions you might see are How important was.? was the main reason for Do you agree? What impact did have on? 2
How much did change in.? Why was so difficult/important/weak in.? 3
The Plains Indians Topic Summary There were many different nations of Native Americans living on the Plains. This topic will test your knowledge of their way of life (focusing particularly on the Sioux) Most customs came from their belief that land and animals were equal to humans and should be treated with respect. Their lifestyle was nomadic because of their need to hunt. Important facts Way of Life - The Way of life was based on the fact that the Plains Indians were hunters who moved frequently in search of the Buffalo. They lived in tepees which were easy to transport. - The Buffalo was not just used for food but also for clothing, shelter and day to day items. - Men and Women had a clearly defined role. Men were to hunt and fight and women were to take care of all domestic matters including moving camp. - Old people were cared for and respected for their knowledge. However, once they became a burden on the tribe they were left behind. 4
Hunting and warfare - War between the different tribes was common. They fought for horses and honour. - The aim of warfare was not to kill. The main aim was to count coup where the warrior would touch the enemy with the end of a coup stick. - As a result wars on the plains had low numbers of casualties. - Another custom was scalping of the enemy. This was to avoid meeting the enemy again in the afterlife. Beliefs - They believed in the Great Spirit. They communicated with the spirits through the medicine men, visions and dances. - When they died they believed their spirit would go to the Happy Hunting Ground. Their ancestors bodies became dust on the Plains which made the tribal lands sacred. Top Tips for revising the Plains Indians 1. Create a mind map of the key features of Plains Indians life and culture. 2. Create a Venn diagram of similarities and differences between the Plains Indians and the White Settlers. 3. Do the fling the teacher game at www.schoolhistory.co.uk/games/fling/nativeamericans/index.shtml Past Questions on the Plains Indians 1. How important were the railways in changing the traditional way of life of the Plains Indians in the years 1860 90? Explain your answer. You could include the following in your answer and any other information of your own. The Trans continental Railway was completed in 1869. The Government gave the railway companies 175 million acres of land in the 5
years 1865 71. In the years 1872 74 almost 14 million buffalo hides were sent to the east of the country. (Total 15 marks) 6
The White Settlers The Early Settlers on the Plains Topic Summary In 1840 the Plains were known as the Great American Desert and no white American believed they could live there successfully. However, settlers gradually began to make the move west. The journey west was harsh and many did not survive. This topic looks at the first people to make this journey; the mountain men, pioneers and the miners (also known as 49ers) Important Facts Mountain Men - Their job was to trap and hunt animals for their fur. They had to know the mountains and surrounding areas very well. - Relations with the Plains Indians were generally good, mainly because they did not disrupt or threaten their way of life. - By 1840 the fur trade was declining and many mountain men acted as scouts or guides in blazing the first trails across the Great Plains to new areas in the West. Pioneers/Trailblazers - The first group of Pioneers travelled to Oregon in 1839, seeking a new life for themselves on the other side of the Great Plains. - Land was becoming more scarce in the East as the Population grew. This was made worse by a financial crisis in 1837 which caused bankruptcies and unemployment. - The journey was full of dangers such as lack of water, bad weather, running out of food, huge rivers and attacks by hostile Indians. 7
Miners - In 1848 gold was discovered in California. A rush of people followed, all keen to make their fortune. The early miners were a cross-section of society and there were also many from other countries. - As the mining took place in remote places there was often poor law and order and bad living conditions. Many soon became ghost towns when the gold ran out. - The gold rush encouraged the development of the West. Revision tips for the Early Settlers 1. Make flash cards of key points. 2. Create a living graph of one of the stories of the journey west. 3. Identify push and pull factors for people making the journey west. Past Questions on the Early Settlers 1. Source A: A photograph of a wagon train heading west in the mid nineteenth century. Source B: From the diary of an Oregon pioneer, Amelia Stewart Knight, 1853. We had a dreadful storm last night and very sharp lightning. It killed two oxen. We had just encamped on the flat prairie when the storm began in all its fury. In two minutes, after the cattle were taken from the wagons, every animal was gone out of sight, cows, calves, horses all gone. The wind was so high I thought it would tear the wagons to pieces. 8
Source C: From a letter from Anna King to her family. She is writing from Oregon in 1845. I like the country. It is an easy place to make a living. You can raise cattle as you please, for the grass is green the whole winter and cattle are as fat as if they have been stall fed the whole year round. 2. (a) Study Sources A, B and C. What can you learn from these sources about the early settlement of the West? (5) (b) Use your own knowledge to explain why so many people went west between 1840 and 1860. (8) (Total 13 marks) 9
The Railroads and Manifest Destiny Topic Summary These were two of the main factor which helped people make the journey west and changing the plains forever. Important Facts The Railways - The first railroad company was built in 1869 by the Union Pacific Railroad company and the Central Pacific Railroad Company. By 1893 there were six companies connecting east and west. - The government gave the companies free land which they either used or sold to settlers which further increased business. - Railroad companies advertised the Plains and sold cheap tickets to encourage as many settlers as possible. Manifest Destiny - Manifest Destiny was the American belief that it was their Godgiven right to control the whole of North America. - In order for this policy to work the lands had to be settled with loyal, hardworking white Americans. - The government encouraged settlement by giving away cheap or free land to Settlers. Revision Tips for the Railroads and Manifest Destiny Create prompt cards with the definition of Manifest Destiny. 10
Past Questions on the Railroads and Manifest Destiny Was the growth of railroads the main reason why so many people moved west in the USA after the end of the Civil War in 1865? Explain your answer. You could include the following in your answer and any other information of your own. The Oregon Trail was a popular route west. 1869 The first trans continental railroad was opened. The belief in Manifest Destiny. (15 marks) 11
Homesteaders Topic Summary The Homesteaders succeeded in the difficult task of settling the Plains and making the land fertile enough to support them. The Homesteaders took advantage of new technology to help them manage the land and the success of some opened the flood-gates to mass migration to the plains. Important Facts Why did they move to the Plains? - Life in the East was expensive and jobs were difficult to find. Many of the homesteaders wanted to start a new life and farm their own land (land was scarce in the east). - Europeans were also arriving on the plains to settle after escaping from persecution or economic problems in their homelands. - The railroad companies encouraged people to move to the plains through advertising, offers of cheap land and cheap tickets to the West. - The government also encouraged people to move west. The Homestead Act (1862) allowed settlers to claim 160 acres of land and pay $30 after five years to make the land their own. How the Homesteaders survived - When the Homesteaders realised that 160 acres was not enough to support the average family, the government passed The Timber and Culture Act (1873). This doubled the amount of land that could be claimed but they had to plant trees on half of it. - The Homesteaders had to use whatever resources were available. This meant building sod houses instead of using wood. Lack of water was a big problem as there were no streams or rivers. - The Homesteaders were able to solve most of their problems. 12
They used Turkey Red, a strain of wheat which could grow in the harsh conditions. The use of dry farming saved rainfall from being immediately evaporated by the sun. Railroads brought machinery and supplies and general stores were set up in the new towns The Timber and Culture Act meant that in the long term wood would be available on the plains. Wind pumps and mechanical reapers were examples of new technology that revolutionised farming of the plains. Barbed wire made land safe from stray cattle. The Role of Women - Women were vital to survival on the Plains. They used the resources available to care for their families. As there was no wood they had to collect dried cow and buffalo dung to burn. They had to feed their families on a limited supply and had to cope with the bugs and dirt that lived in the sod house. - Women were also the main educators. Revision Tips for the Homesteaders Create a table or a pairs game on the problems faced by the homesteaders and the solutions they found. Past Questions on the Homesteaders 1. The Homesteaders and the Plains Indians were the largest groups to live on the Plains. Although the plains were dry and hostile both groups managed to survive. Did they use the same methods? 2. How important was the government in encouraging the homesteaders to settle on the Plains? 13
Did the US Government play an important part in solving the farming problems which homesteaders faced on the Plains? Explain your answer. You could include the following in your answer and any other information of your own. Rainfall on the Great Plains was very low. In 1869, the first railroad across the Plains was completed. The Timber and Culture Act was passed in 1873. (Total 15 marks) 1. Source A: Thomas Allen Bunting describes his mother s life in Kansas. The family moved to Kansas in 1855. I have often wondered how my mother stood it with a family of children and no one to help her but my oldest sister. We used candles which my mother made by pouring melted wax into moulds. We used soap my mother made by dripping water slowly through a barrel of wood ash to get the alkali and potash. Source B: A woman recalls the effect of heavy rain on a sod house in the 1860s. Sometimes the water would drip on the stove while I was cooking and I would have to keep a lid on the pans to prevent mud falling into the food. With my dress pinned up, I waded around until the clouds rolled by. Source C: A drawing published in 1868 showing ploughing in Kansas. 2. (a) Study Sources A, B and C. What can you learn from these sources about the problems faced by the 14
early homesteaders? (5) (b) Use your own knowledge to explain why people began farming the Plains in the early 1860s in spite of the difficulties they faced. (8) (Total 13 marks) 15
Cowboys and Cattlemen Topic Summary The history of the cattle industry began with the driving of cattle through the plains to the markets in the North. Then cow towns started developing where the cattlemen and buyers would meet as the railroads were built. New technology encouraged ranches to the Plains. Cattle industry reached its peak in 1880 but there were now too many cattle, causing prices to fall and ruining many ranches. There were many conflicts between the cattlemen and the homesteaders. Important Facts Beginnings - The first long drives began in 1837. During the Civil War cattle had been allowed to roam free and their numbers grew rapidly. - The long drives north were dangerous and exciting. The cowboys risked attacks from hostile Indians and cattle rustlers. They faced bad weather, lack of water and opposition from local homesteaders who did not want their cattle to catch the Texas Fever carried by the longhorn cattle. Growth of ranching and cattle towns - During the 1860 s and 1870 s many people began to raise cattle on the open range in order to avoid the long drive. Many huge ranches soon appeared on the open range and the massive profits attracted even more people into cattle ranching. - Joseph McCoy built a market town called Abilene to buy and sell cattle on the Plains. Other cattle towns grew up along the path of the railroad. 16
The Life of a Cowboy - At first cowboys came from Texas but soon they came from all over the USA - Life and work on the long drive was hard with low wages and poor conditions. The equipment needed had to be provided by the men themselves. - The long drive could take up to four months. - There were many hazards including stampedes, river crossing, blizzards, drought and Indian raids. There was also conflict with homesteaders and rustlers. Decline of the Cattle Industry - Many smaller farmers were taken over by large ranching corporations led by cattle barons. - Cattle became more expensive but prices of beef dropped. - Two bad winters in 1886 and 1887 caused problems. Revision tips for Cattlemen and Cowboys 1. Compare the myth and reality of a cowboy s life 2. Create a timeline of the cattle industry. Past Questions on Cattlemen and Cowboys 1. Briefly describe how the work of a cowboy changed between 1840 and 1890 (7 marks) 2. The Great Plains were dry and barren, not the ideal environment to breed cattle. Why then did the Cattlemen settle there? (9 marks) 2. Explain why cattle ranching changed so much between 1865 and 1895. (Total 12 marks) 17
The Mormons Topic Summary The Mormons were a different type of settler. They chose to live in the West in the unfertile Salt Lake Valley. Non-Morons feared them and were opposed to their belief in polygamy. After the Mormons had been forced out of three states (Ohio, Missouri and Illinois) their leader Brigham Young realised that they should move far away from other white Americans. Salt Lake City became a prosperous, largely self sufficient city and eventually an independent state of America. Important Facts The Beginnings and Joseph Smith - The story of the beginnings of the Mormon religion was that in 1823 Joseph Smith was shown some plates buried by an angel called Moroni on a mountainside. The angle translated the plates which said that the finder of the plates would prepare God s kingdom on earth for Christ s second coming. - Joseph Smith gained more and more supporters and they settled in Kirtland, Ohio. They were driven out when successful Mormon banks lost money in a crisis in 1837 and non-mormon investors blamed the Mormons for the problems. - The Mormons moved to Independence, Missouri and became successful again. Non-Mormons resented their success and felt threatened by their increasing numbers. Many Mormons were arrested and others had to leave Missouri for Illinois. - In Illinois they had more success building their own town called Nauvoo. They became an independent political state but the non- Mormons felt threatened by the Mormons increasing power and were disgusted by the practice of polygamy. - Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in 1844. Brigham Young - The new leader of the Mormons had to lead the Mormons out of Nauvoo to Salt Lake Valley, which was unfertile and isolated. 18
Organisation of Mormon Society - On arrival land was divided into equal sections for people to work. It was owned by everyone and run by the Church. A committee was set up to share out water and the digging of irrigation ditches enabled the land to become fertile enough to farm. - The Perpetual Emigration fund was set up to bring in Mormons from elsewhere. - The government would only let Salt Lake City become a territory not a free state. The Mormons did not become a totally independent state until 1890 when they compromised and gave up polygamy. Revision Tips for the Mormons 1. Create a living graph of the history of the Mormons. Past Questions on the Mormons 1. Explain why the Mormons succeeded in creating Salt Lake City. (Total 12 marks) 19
Conflict between the settlers Topic Summary Settling a new area brings many problems. Particularly as the government did not offer much support for healthcare, education or law and order. Many towns had few permanent settlers and they settlers were often reluctant to pay local taxes to set up efficient systems. Important Facts Problems of law and order - Famous examples were shoot-outs, bank robberies, corrupt sheriffs, gamblers and prostitutes. - The real problems took time to be solved as the settlers arrived before the government could set up a system of law and order or plan towns carefully. - The areas policed were a long way from each other and had too much land to control. Sheriffs were often untrained. - Claim-jumping and disturbances over land were common. - Miners courts were set up to deal with problems but most people refused to accept their verdict. Vigilantes - Settlers resorted to forming vigilante committees and took the law into their own hands. Vigilante groups acted quickly and dealt with problems such as cattle rustling. Problems between Cattlemen and Homesteaders - The Johnson County War was the worst clash between homesteaders and cattlemen. It was about cattle rustling, but it was also a power struggle for control of the county. - Cattlemen and homesteaders often argued over the use of watering holes and cattle rustling. Some cattlemen cut through barbed wired fences to get to water. 20
Revision tips for the problems 1. Put the problems faced by the early settlers in an order of importance. 2. Create prompt cards for the key facts. Past exam questions on the problems 1. How successful was the system of law and order before 1890? 2. The settlers and the ranchers both wanted to make a success of their life on the plains. Why then did they cause so many problems of law and order? 3. Who caused most problems on the plains: The Plains Indians, the cattlemen or the homesteaders? 21
The Struggle for the Plains Topic Summary Due to the government policy of settling the Plains the Indians and the White Settlers came into conflict. The Plains Indians were given land permanently and then the size of that land was made smaller as the pressure for land increased. Finally, they were forced to move onto reservation, which were so small it was impossible to live their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Important Facts - In 1832 the Department of Indian Affairs agreed that the Plains to the west of Mississippi was to become the permanent Indian frontier - In 1851 the Fort Laramie Treaty revealed that the policy had changed to concentrate the Indians in a smaller protected area for which they would be paid. In return they would stop attacks on government troops and travellers. - The Plains Wars followed as the Plains Indians were angry that the land they were given was getting smaller. - In 1864 Chief Black Kettle went to Fort Lyon to offer to end the wars. Then 450 men, women and children were massacred by Colonel Chivington at Sand Creek. - The next major change in policy happened when gold was found in the Black Hills of Dakota. These hills were special hunting grounds of the Plains Indians but pressure increased to take this land away from them and send them to reservations. - Some nations accepted this decision but others, realising it would mean an end to their way of life, did not. - The government sent in the army to force remaining tribes onto the reservations. During this period General Custer was defeated at the Battle of Little Bighorn 1876. The people were outraged and supported the government s policy towards the Plains Indians. - Custer s role in the defeat of 1876 is controversial. He was a brave man but he was also a risk taker who ignored orders and effectively led his men to death. 22
- The last clash between the army and the Plains Indians was at the Battle of Wounded Knee. Here a single shot fired by an Indian led to the shooting of men, women and children. The last of the Sioux then surrendered. - In 1889 the government opened up the remaining areas of Indian Territory. Revision tips for the struggle for the Plains 1. Create flash cards for the key dates of treaties and battles. Past Questions on the Struggle for the Plains 1. The Indians only lost their struggle for the Plains because they were outnumbered by the cavalry who also had much better weapons. Do you agree? (8 marks) 3. Explain why wars developed between the Plains Indians and the Government of the USA in the 1860s and 1870s. You could include the following in your answer and any other information of your own. In 1851, The Treaty of Fort Laramie agreed the areas of the Indian hunting grounds. The Sand Creek Massacre took place in 1864. Gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874. (Total 15 marks) 23
Test Yourself Here are some questions you could use to test your knowledge of the American West. There are many other questions you could ask. Try and create some of your own. Remember: It is just as important to do practice questions as it is to learn the facts. Successful revision needs a combination of both! 1. On what did the Plains Indians rely for food, clothing and shelter? 2. What did warriors do to their enemies to prevent their souls moving to the afterlife? 3. Why was the lifestyle of the Plains Indians nomadic? 4. What were the roles of men and women? 5. Give two similarities between the mountain men and Plains Indians 6. What problems did the Pioneers face on the journey across the Plains? 7. What was the first area settled in by the Mormons? 8. How did Joseph Smith die? 9. Why did Brigham Young chose to move the Mormons to Salt Lake City? 10. What happened to cattle during the Civil War? 11. Who founded Abilene? 12. Name two issues that caused conflict between the cattlemen and the homesteaders 13. What was Manifest Destiny? 14. Why did the homesteaders move to the Plains instead of the more fertile west coast? 15. What problems did the farmers face on the Plains? 16. Name the crop that grew well on the Plains 17. What did the Homesteaders use for fuel? 18. Give two reasons for the lack of law and order 19. What was agreed at Fort Laramie in 1851? 20.Give two problems of living on a reservation for a Plains Indian 21. What was ghost dancing? 24