Essential QuestionsEssential QuestionsEssential QuestionsEssential Questions

1. What national issues emerged in the process of closing the western frontier?

2. Why does the West hold such an important place in the American imagination?

3. In what ways is the West romanticized in American culture?

Key TensionsKey TensionsKey TensionsKey Tensions

Native Americans

Buffalo HuntersRailroadsU. S. Government

Cattlemen Sheep Herders

Ranchers Farmers

Key TensionsKey TensionsKey TensionsKey Tensions

EthnicMinorities

Nativists

EnvironmentalistsBig Business Interests [mining, timber]Local Govt. OfficialsFarmersBuffalo Hunters

Lawlessness of the Frontier

“Civilizing” Forces

[The “Romance” of the West]

Railroad ConstructionRailroad ConstructionRailroad ConstructionRailroad Construction

““The Big Four” Railroad The Big Four” Railroad MagnatesMagnates

““The Big Four” Railroad The Big Four” Railroad MagnatesMagnates

Charles Charles CrockerCrockerCharles Charles CrockerCrocker

Mark HopkinsMark HopkinsMark HopkinsMark Hopkins Leland Leland StanfordStanfordLeland Leland

StanfordStanford

Collis Collis HuntingtonHuntington

Collis Collis HuntingtonHuntington

Promontory Point, UTPromontory Point, UT(May 10, 1869)(May 10, 1869)

Promontory Point, UTPromontory Point, UT(May 10, 1869)(May 10, 1869)

The Bronc BusterThe Bronc BusterFrederick RemingtonFrederick Remington

Black CowboysBlack Cowboys

Colt .45 RevolverColt .45 RevolverColt .45 RevolverColt .45 Revolver

God didn’t make men equal.God didn’t make men equal.Colonel Colt did!Colonel Colt did!

Legendary Gunslingers & Train Legendary Gunslingers & Train RobbersRobbers

Legendary Gunslingers & Train Legendary Gunslingers & Train RobbersRobbers

Jesse JamesJesse James

Billy the KidBilly the Kid

Dodge City Peace Dodge City Peace Commission, 1890Commission, 1890Dodge City Peace Dodge City Peace Commission, 1890Commission, 1890

ProspectingProspectingProspectingProspecting

Mining Centers: Mining Centers: 19001900

Mining Centers: Mining Centers: 19001900

Anaconda Copper Mining Co. Anaconda Copper Mining Co. (MT)(MT)

Anaconda Copper Mining Co. Anaconda Copper Mining Co. (MT)(MT)

Mining (“Boom”) Towns--Mining (“Boom”) Towns--Now Ghost TownsNow Ghost Towns

Mining (“Boom”) Towns--Mining (“Boom”) Towns--Now Ghost TownsNow Ghost Towns

Calico, CACalico, CACalico, CACalico, CA

TheThe

CattleCattle

TrailsTrails

TheThe

CattleCattle

TrailsTrails

Land Use: 1880sLand Use: 1880sLand Use: 1880sLand Use: 1880s

New New AgriculturalAgriculturalTechnologyTechnology

New New AgriculturalAgriculturalTechnologyTechnology

““Prairie Fan”Prairie Fan”Water PumpWater Pump

Steel Plow [“Sod Steel Plow [“Sod Buster”]Buster”]

Barbed WireBarbed WireBarbed WireBarbed Wire

Joseph Joseph GliddenGliddenJoseph Joseph GliddenGlidden

The Range WarsThe Range WarsThe Range WarsThe Range Wars

SheepHerders

CattleRanchers

Regional Population Regional Population DistributionDistribution

by Race: 1900by Race: 1900

Regional Population Regional Population DistributionDistribution

by Race: 1900by Race: 1900

Regional Population Regional Population DistributionDistribution

by Race: 1900by Race: 1900

Regional Population Regional Population DistributionDistribution

by Race: 1900by Race: 1900

BlackBlack“Exoduster”“Exoduster”HomesteadHomestead

ersers

Blacks Moving WestBlacks Moving West

The Buffalo Soldiers on the Great The Buffalo Soldiers on the Great PlainsPlains

The Buffalo Soldiers on the Great The Buffalo Soldiers on the Great PlainsPlains

A Romantic ViewA Romantic ViewA Romantic ViewA Romantic View

The Buffalo Soldiers & the Indian The Buffalo Soldiers & the Indian WarsWars

The Buffalo Soldiers & the Indian The Buffalo Soldiers & the Indian WarsWars

The “Chinese Question”The “Chinese Question”The “Chinese Question”The “Chinese Question”

Exclusion Act (1882)Exclusion Act (1882) - Oriental Exclusion - Oriental Exclusion ActAct - Chinese Exclusion - Chinese Exclusion ActAct

The Tong Wars: 1850s-1920sThe Tong Wars: 1850s-1920sThe Tong Wars: 1850s-1920sThe Tong Wars: 1850s-1920s

Began in San Francisco in Began in San Francisco in 1875.1875.

African American & ChineseAfrican American & ChinesePopulations:Populations:

1880-19001880-1900

African American & ChineseAfrican American & ChinesePopulations:Populations:

1880-19001880-1900