Westward Expansion: SOCIAL & CULTURAL Development [APUSH Review Unit 6 Topic 3] Period 6: 1865-1898

Summary

This video from Heimler's History delves into the societal and cultural aspects of westward migration in the United States following the Civil War. It explores the impact of the Homestead Act and transcontinental railroads on encouraging westward movement, leading to the settlement of the American frontier by the end of the 19th century. The video discusses the transformation of the Great Plains with the arrival of cattle and the rise of the cowboy culture, which was eventually curtailed by the spread of barbed wire fencing. It also touches on the challenges faced by homesteaders, many of whom did not receive free land as commonly believed. The lecture highlights the consolidation of land into larger agri-businesses due to agricultural mechanization. The significance of the closing of the frontier is examined through Frederick Jackson Turner's essay, which posited that the frontier's closure could lead to increased class conflicts. The video also addresses the plight of Native Americans, the establishment of reservations, and the federal government's attempts to assimilate them into white society, including the devastating effects of the Dawes Act of 1887. It concludes with the Ghost Dance Movement and the tragic events at Wounded Knee, marking the end of Native American resistance.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The westward migration after the Civil War was driven by the American custom of seeking self-sufficiency and independence.
• 🚂 The completion of transcontinental railroads and the Homestead Act were key factors encouraging westward migration.
• 🐂 Cattle drives were a significant part of the American West's economy, leading to the romanticized image of the cowboy.
• 🔗 The introduction of barbed wire ended the era of open cattle drives, as homesteaders began to claim and fence land.
• 🏡 'Sodbusters' were early settlers who cut through the soil with their plows, and many acquired land through purchases from railroad companies.
• 📉 The mechanization of agriculture led to the consolidation of land into larger agri-businesses, which negatively impacted small farms.
• 📜 The U.S. Census Bureau declared the frontier officially settled in 1890, following the Oklahoma Territory's opening for settlement.
• 🤔 Fredrick Jackson Turner's essay highlighted concerns about the closure of the frontier, suggesting it would lead to class conflicts and loss of a safety valve for American discontent.
• 🏡 The reservation system was developed to confine Native American populations, disrupting their traditional ways of life.
• 🔫 The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing reservation lands into individual plots and offering citizenship in exchange for assimilation.
• 👻 The Ghost Dance Movement was a spiritual and cultural resistance to the pressures of assimilation, which culminated in the tragic massacre at Wounded Knee.

Q & A

What was the main focus of the video regarding westward migration after the Civil War?

The main focus of the video was on the society and culture of those who settled the frontier after the Civil War.

What question does the video attempt to answer regarding the settlement of the West from 1877 to 1898?

The video attempts to answer what the causes and effects of the settlement of the West were during that period.

What were the two factors that encouraged westward migration after the Civil War?

The two factors that encouraged westward migration were the Homestead Act and the completion of various transcontinental railroads.

How did the arrival of settlers and the use of barbed wire fencing impact the cowboy lifestyle?

The arrival of settlers and the use of barbed wire fencing ended the days of open cattle drives, which significantly impacted the cowboy lifestyle.

What was the term used to describe the homesteaders who were among the first to cut through the soil with their plows?

The term used to describe these homesteaders was 'sodbusters'.

What was the impact of increasing mechanization of agriculture on small farms?

The increasing mechanization of agriculture led to many small farms folding, and the land was consolidated into the hands of larger agri-business outfits.

What did Fredrick Jackson Turner argue about the closing of the frontier in his essay?

Fredrick Jackson Turner argued that the closing of the frontier was a cause for concern, as westward expansion had been a means of releasing American discontent and was a democratizing force.

How did the federal government attempt to solve the 'Indian problem' after the transcontinental railroad facilitated mass migration west?

The federal government attempted to solve the 'Indian problem' by developing the reservation system, assigning Indian populations to live on tracts of land with strict boundaries.

What was the impact of the Indian Appropriation Act of 1871 on Indian nations?

The Indian Appropriation Act of 1871 ended federal recognition of the sovereignty of Indian nations and nullified all previous treaties made with them.

What was the main objective of the Dawes Act of 1887?

The main objective of the Dawes Act of 1887 was to abandon the reservation system and divide reservation lands into 160 acre plots to be farmed by the Indians, with the condition that they assimilated to American culture to become American citizens.

What was the significance of the Ghost Dance Movement in the context of Indian resistance?

The Ghost Dance Movement was a significant resistance movement where Indians believed that participating in the ritualistic dance would bring back the ghosts of their ancestors to drive the white man from their lands.

What event marked the effective end of the period of Indian resistance?

The last violent battle of the Indian Wars, which took place at Wounded Knee in South Dakota in 1890, marked the effective end of the period of Indian resistance.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Westward Migration and Its Societal Impacts

This paragraph discusses the westward migration in the post-Civil War era, focusing on the societal and cultural aspects of those who settled the frontier. It addresses the question of the causes and effects of Western settlement from 1877 to 1898. The Homestead Act and transcontinental railroads are highlighted as key factors encouraging migration. The paragraph also covers the introduction of cattle to the Great Plains, the rise of the cowboy culture, the impact of homesteaders and barbed wire on open cattle drives, and the eventual consolidation of land into larger agri-businesses. The significance of the closing of the frontier and Fredrick Jackson Turner's essay on its historical importance are also discussed, along with the negative consequences for Native American populations and the implementation of the reservation system.

05:04

🏞️ The Struggles and Resistance of Native Americans

The second paragraph delves into the hardships faced by Native Americans due to westward expansion, the Indian Appropriation Act of 1871, and the subsequent conflicts like the Sioux Wars and the wars with the Comanches. It discusses the Dawes Act of 1887, which ended the reservation system and aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American culture by offering citizenship in exchange for adopting American ways. The paragraph also touches on the Ghost Dance Movement, a spiritual and cultural resistance to the压迫ive policies of the U.S. government. The narrative concludes with the tragic event at Wounded Knee in 1890, marking the end of the Indian Wars and the effective suppression of Native American resistance.

Keywords

💡Westward Migration

Westward migration refers to the movement of people from the eastern part of the United States to the western territories during the 19th century. It is a central theme of the video, illustrating the push for self-sufficiency and independence that characterized American expansion. The script discusses this migration post-Civil War, highlighting the cultural and societal aspects of those who settled the frontier.

💡Homestead Act

The Homestead Act was a law passed in 1862 that provided settlers with 160 acres of public land if they agreed to live on and improve the land for a period of five years. It is mentioned in the script as one of the key incentives that encouraged westward migration, allowing settlers to claim land for free and contribute to the rapid settlement of the American West.

💡Transcontinental Railroads

Transcontinental railroads were a series of railways that spanned the North American continent, connecting the eastern and western coasts of the United States. The completion of these railroads is highlighted in the script as a significant factor that facilitated westward migration by making travel and trade between the coasts more efficient and accessible.

💡Cattle Trade

The cattle trade was a major economic activity in the American West during the period discussed in the script. Settlers brought cattle with them into the Great Plains region, and the construction of railroads facilitated the trade of cattle to eastern markets. The script uses the cattle trade to illustrate the economic opportunities that attracted settlers to the West.

💡Sodbusters

Sodbusters were settlers who were among the first to cut through the soil with their plows in the Great Plains. The term is used in the script to describe the homesteaders who attempted to farm the challenging prairie land. Their efforts were part of the broader westward migration and contributed to the transformation of the American landscape.

💡Barbed Wire Fencing

Barbed wire fencing was a new technology that became ubiquitous in the plains, making it easier to enclose land for farming. The script explains that this technology ended the days of open cattle drives by creating barriers that were difficult for cattle to cross. It symbolizes the shift from open grazing lands to more defined property boundaries.

💡Fredrick Jackson Turner

Fredrick Jackson Turner was a historian known for his essay 'The Significance of the Frontier in American History,' which is referenced in the script. Turner argued that the closing of the frontier was a cause for concern because it had been a safety valve for American discontent and a source of democratic values. His perspective is used to discuss the implications of the end of westward expansion.

💡Indian Territory

Indian Territory was a region designated for the relocation of Native American tribes, primarily as a result of the Indian Removal Act in the 1830s. The script discusses the Oklahoma Territory, which was part of the Indian Territory, and how it was later opened for white settlement, leading to the displacement and suffering of the Native American populations.

💡Reservation System

The reservation system was a policy implemented by the U.S. government to confine Native American tribes to specific tracts of land called reservations. The script describes how this system was part of the government's efforts to solve the 'Indian problem' by forcibly relocating tribes and restricting their traditional ways of life.

💡Dawes Act of 1887

The Dawes Act of 1887 was a law that aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by dividing tribal lands into individual plots for farming and offering citizenship to those who accepted the terms. The script discusses the act as a legislative attempt to end distinct Indian cultures and integrate them into the dominant society.

💡Ghost Dance Movement

The Ghost Dance Movement was a spiritual and religious movement among Native Americans during the late 19th century, which the script describes as a form of resistance against the pressures of assimilation and land loss. The movement believed that performing the Ghost Dance would bring about the return of ancestral spirits and the departure of white settlers.

💡Wounded Knee

Wounded Knee refers to the site in South Dakota where the last major violent confrontation between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes, specifically the Lakota, occurred in 1890. The script recounts the massacre at Wounded Knee as a tragic end to the period of Indian resistance and a symbol of the harsh realities of westward expansion.

Highlights

The video focuses on the society and culture of those who settled the American frontier after the Civil War.

The Homestead Act and completion of transcontinental railroads encouraged westward migration.

Settlers brought cattle to the Great Plains and constructed railroads for cattle trade.

The romanticized vision of cowboys driving cattle across the plains emerged during this period.

The widespread use of barbed wire fencing ended the era of open cattle drives.

Homesteaders, known as sodbusters, were the first to plow the Great Plains soil.

Only 1 in 5 homesteaders actually received free land from the government.

Many homesteaders bought land from railroad companies at low prices.

Mechanization of agriculture led to consolidation of land under larger agri-businesses.

The 1890 U.S. Census declared the American frontier officially settled.

The Oklahoma Territory was initially designated for Native Americans.

Fredrick Jackson Turner's essay argued the closing of the frontier was a cause for concern, not celebration.

Turner believed westward expansion released American discontent and provided a fresh start.

The frontier was a democratizing force that leveled class and social hierarchies.

Westward expansion displaced large Native American populations and caused hardships.

The reservation system was developed to solve the so-called "Indian problem".

The Dawes Act of 1887 ended the reservation system and aimed to assimilate Native Americans.

The Ghost Dance Movement was a spiritual resistance to white settlement.

The final violent battle of the Indian Wars, at Wounded Knee, ended the period of Native American resistance.

Transcripts

Hey there and welcome back to Heimler’s History.  In this video we’re going to keep reviewing Unit  

6 of the AP U.S. History curriculum by focusing  on westward migration after the Civil War. And we  

talked about that in the last video as well, but  there the emphasis was on farming technology and  

economics. This video is going to be all  about the society and culture of those who  

settled the frontier. So if you’re ready to  get them brain cows milked, let’s get to it.

So just like in the last video, we’re  trying to answer the same question:  

what were the causes and effects of the  settlement of the West from 1877 to 1898.

So starting in 1865 many more Americans began  pushing westward again, as was the American  

custom, in hopes of achieving self-sufficiency  and independence. And by the time the 19th  

century drew to a close, the vast frontier of  the American continent was basically closed and  

settled by Americans. Now I mentioned in the last  video two things that encouraged such migration:  

the Homestead Act and the completion  of various transcontinental railroads.

But once settlers arrived, what was it like? Well,  first off, they brought a buttload of cattle with  

them into the Great Plains region. Construction  of railroads into Kansas facilitated the cattle  

trade in eastern markets. This season of the  American West gave birth that romanticized  

vision we have of the cowboy—out on the plains,  saddled upon his horse, driving the cattle,  

hand-rolled cigarette dangling from his mouth,  until the cancer finally kills him. Anyway, from  

the 1860s to the 1880s, cowboys did drive massive  herds of cattle to market across the plains all  

romantic like. But there’s nothing to kill the  romance like a bunch of scrappy homesteaders  

getting free government land and throwing up  barbed wire fencing around it. The ubiquity of  

that new fencing technology, which was very much  necessary in the plains where building fences from  

the wood of all the non-existent trees was, well,  difficult, ended the days of open cattle drives.

Now these homesteaders became known as sodbusters  because they were among the first to cut through  

the soil with their plows. Now, I made it sound  like all of these sodbusters settled on the  

government’s offer of free land, but in reality  only about a fifth of them got land this way.  

Others bought land from the railroad companies,  which had gotten it either free or very cheap  

from the government—good deal for them. But  ultimately, as I mentioned in the last video,  

because of the increasing mechanization  of agriculture, many of these small  

farms folded and the land was consolidated  into the hands of larger agri-business outfits.

Now, but 1890 the U.S. Census Bureau declared  that the frontier was officially settled,  

which came after the Oklahoma territory was  opened for settlement. Now just to remind you,  

the Oklahoma Territory was designated as Indian  Territory and many Indians in the east were  

relocated there due to the Indian Removal Act in  the 1830s. And one of the reasons the Oklahoma  

territory was designated for Indians was because  in the 1830s nobody could imagine Americans  

wanting to settle all the way over there, I mean,  that’d be crazy. Anyway, back to that in a moment.

First, I need to tell you about the significance  of the closing of the frontier in the American  

mind. And for that, let me introduce you to  Fredrick Jackson Turner’s influential essay, The  

Significance of the Frontier in American History  published in 1893. In it, he argued that the  

closing of the frontier was not so much a cause  for celebration but rather a cause for concern.  

Why? Well, remember all that we’ve learned so  far in this course. From the moment British  

colonists stepped foot on this continent, the  impulse to move west was impossible to suppress.  

Americans were always moving west beyond the pale  of what was safe or legal. And so Turner argues  

that the closing of the frontier was troubling  because westward expansion had always been a  

means of releasing American discontent. You know,  if things get bad, just move west. Additionally,  

Turner argued that the frontier had always been  nigh unto mythic in its promise of a fresh start,  

not to mention the west was a democratizing  force in that it largely leveled class and  

social hierarchies. So Turner was worried  that once the frontier was gone America  

would devolve into the same class conflicts that  plagued Europeans who had no west to push into.

But all of this concern was basically over the  woes of white settlers. As you probably know,  

when Americans moved West, they  weren’t moving into virgin,  

uninhabited lands. In fact, these lands were  populated with large populations of Indians,  

and no one seemed to be thinking about the  hardships westward expansion would cause them.

So after the completion of the transcontinental  railroad facilitated mass migration west,  

the federal government sought to solve what  they had long called the “Indian problem”  

by developing the reservation system. Indian  populations were assigned to live on tracts of  

land called reservations with strict boundaries.  And this didn’t suit many Indian populations  

who had organized their lives around following  buffalo herds throughout the plains. However,  

all of the sudden, that argument mattered  very little because American migrants had  

all but decimated the buffalo population as they  moved west. Railroad workers and train passengers  

killed these animals indiscriminately,  sometimes for food, but mostly for sport.  

So onto the reservations the Indians went and  became official wards of the federal government  

until they could learn to be more like white  people and assimilate into American society.

Now it’ll be important for you to know that  several Indian peoples resisted this movement  

of the federal government. In some cases it  led to violence as it did in the Sioux Wars  

beginning in 1886. In this first installment  of the Sioux Wars, the Sioux spanked an entire  

U.S. Army division handily. The effect of this,  however, was the federal government making more  

treaties with the Indians and trying to restrict  them to smaller and smaller reservations. But  

when gold was discovered on their lands, it  proved impossible to keep Americans away.

Things got worse with the Indian Appropriation Act  of 1871 which officially ended federal recognition  

of the sovereignty of Indian nations, and  nullified all previous treaties made with them.  

This led to another war with the Sioux and a war  with the Comanches. But despite this resistance,  

it was a losing battle. The constant  pressure of the settlers and the U.S. Army,  

combined with the virtual extinction  of the buffalo herds from the plains,  

forced the Indians to capitulate to  the demands of the American government.

And the crowning legislative act in this series  of restrictive laws to solve the Indian problem  

was the Dawes Act of 1887. By enacting this law,  the federal government officially abandoned the  

reservation system and divided reservation lands  into 160 acre plots to be farmed by the Indians.  

And in a dashing display of magnanimity, the Dawes  Act allowed Indians to become American citizens on  

the condition that they settled on that land  and assimilated to American culture. Now the  

assimilationist movement was an attempt to put an  end to distinct Indian cultures through education,  

vocational training, and Christianizing them.  So you’re saying all I have to do is abandon  

the millenia-long traditions and culture  of my people and then I get to become part  

of a nation that will still treat me like  a second-class citizen. Where do I sign?

But as the final gasps of Indian independence  were being heaved, there was one more decisive  

resistance movement that I should tell you  about, namely, the Ghost Dance Movement. The  

movement was developed by an Indian prophet in  the northwest named Wavoka, and it soon spread  

across the continent. Basically the idea was that  if Indians participated in this ritualistic dance,  

then the ghosts of their ancestors would return  and finally drive the white man from their lands.

But while this resistance was spreading across  the land, the last violent battle of the Indian  

Wars was taking place at Wounded Knee in South  Dakota in 1890. The U.S. Army was attempting to  

disarm a group of Lakota Indians, and when  an old man rose to perform the Ghost Dance,  

a gun went off, and in the end the  Army killed more than 200 men, women,  

and children, and with that, the period of Indian  resistance was effectively brought to an end.

Alright, if you need more help for Unit  5, click here to check out the playlist.  

If you need even more help getting an A in  your class and a five on your exam in May,  

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