2.3 Westward Expansion and Native American Conflicts

Westward expansion in the late 19th century reshaped America. Driven by Manifest Destiny and economic opportunities, settlers pushed west, displacing Native Americans and transforming the landscape. The Transcontinental Railroad played a crucial role, connecting east and west.

This expansion had profound consequences. Native American tribes faced forced relocation and cultural suppression. The government implemented policies like the Indian Removal Act and the reservation system. Conflicts arose, culminating in events like the Battle of Little Bighorn and the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Westward Expansion Motivations and Consequences

Driving Forces

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• The concept of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, was a significant driving force behind westward expansion in the late 19th century
• Economic opportunities attracted settlers and entrepreneurs seeking to capitalize on resources
  • Discovery of gold and silver in the West
  • Desire to establish new businesses and industries
• The Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged westward migration by offering free land to settlers who were willing to live on and cultivate the land for a specified period
• The expansion of the railroad network made travel to the West more accessible and affordable, facilitating increased migration
  • Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 was a major milestone

Consequences and Impact

• Westward expansion led to the displacement and forced relocation of Native American tribes as settlers and the U.S. government encroached upon their ancestral lands
  • Loss of traditional lands and resources for Native American communities
  • Disruption of tribal social structures and ways of life
• The growth of new settlements and towns in the West contributed to the development of distinct regional identities and cultures
  • Emergence of cowboy culture and the mythology of the "Wild West"
  • Establishment of new states and territories with unique political and social dynamics
• Rapid population growth in the West put pressure on natural resources, leading to environmental degradation and conflicts over land use and water rights
  • Overgrazing of grasslands and deforestation due to increased settlement and agriculture
  • Disputes between settlers, ranchers, and mining interests over access to water sources
• Expansion of agriculture and mining industries in the West
  • Development of large-scale farming operations and cattle ranches
  • Growth of mining towns and the extraction of valuable minerals (gold, silver, copper)

Government Policies and Native American Communities

Forced Relocation and Confinement

• The Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized the President to negotiate with Native American tribes for their removal from their ancestral lands to designated territories west of the Mississippi River
  • Led to the forced relocation of numerous tribes, most notably the Cherokee Nation, in what became known as the Trail of Tears
  • Resulted in significant loss of life, property, and cultural heritage for displaced tribes
• The reservation system confined Native American tribes to specific areas of land, often with limited resources and opportunities for self-sufficiency
  • Established through various treaties and acts
  • Restricted tribal access to traditional hunting grounds and sacred sites
  • Created conditions of poverty, malnutrition, and disease on many reservations

Assimilation and Cultural Suppression

• The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by breaking up tribal lands into individual allotments and encouraging the adoption of European-American culture and practices
  • Led to the fragmentation of tribal communities and the loss of significant portions of tribal land through the sale of "surplus" allotments to non-Native buyers
  • Undermined traditional tribal social structures and land use practices
• The Indian Boarding School system removed Native American children from their families and communities to attend government-run schools that aimed to "civilize" them
  • Suppressed native languages, cultures, and traditions
  • Contributed to the erosion of tribal identities and the loss of traditional knowledge
• Government policies suppressed Native American cultural practices
  • Prohibition of traditional religious ceremonies (Sun Dance, Ghost Dance)
  • Suppression of Native American languages and forced adoption of English
• Failure of the U.S. government to honor many of the treaties signed with Native American tribes
  • Led to ongoing conflicts, mistrust, and the dispossession of Native American land and resources
  • Contributed to the impoverishment and marginalization of many Native American communities

Transcontinental Railroad's Role in Migration

Improved Transportation and Accessibility

• The First Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, connected the eastern and western United States, making cross-country travel faster, safer, and more efficient
• Reduced travel time from the East Coast to the West Coast from several months to about a week
  • Made westward migration more appealing and accessible to a broader range of people
  • Facilitated the movement of settlers, entrepreneurs, and tourists
• Availability of rail transport lowered the cost of shipping goods and materials to the West
  • Stimulated economic growth and encouraged the establishment of new settlements and businesses
  • Enabled the expansion of agriculture and mining industries by connecting them to eastern markets

Promotion and Incentives

• Railroad companies actively promoted westward migration through advertising campaigns, land grants, and incentives for settlers
  • Offered discounted fares and financing options for land purchases
  • Portrayed the West as a land of opportunity and adventure
• Construction of the transcontinental railroad relied heavily on the labor of immigrant workers, particularly Chinese laborers
  • Chinese workers faced discrimination and harsh working conditions
  • Contributed significantly to the rapid completion of the railroad despite these challenges
• Expansion of railroad network facilitated the growth of new towns and cities along rail lines
  • Many settlements grew around railroad stations and depots
  • Railroads played a key role in the development of the West's urban landscape

Impact on Native American Communities

• The completion of the transcontinental railroad had a profound impact on Native American communities
  • Accelerated the pace of westward expansion and led to increased conflicts over land and resources
  • Facilitated the rapid deployment of U.S. military forces to suppress Native American resistance
• Railroad construction often crossed Native American lands without their consent
  • Led to the destruction of traditional hunting grounds and sacred sites
  • Disrupted Native American ways of life and contributed to their displacement and confinement to reservations
• Increased settlement and development brought about by the railroad put additional pressure on Native American communities
  • Encroachment on tribal lands and competition for resources
  • Exacerbated tensions between Native Americans and settlers, leading to further conflicts and land dispossession

Key Events and Conflicts: Little Bighorn vs Dawes Act

Battle of Little Bighorn (1876)

• The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, resulted in the defeat of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment by a combined force of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors
  • Significant victory for the Native American tribes and a shock to the American public
  • Challenged the perception of U.S. military superiority and the inevitability of westward expansion
• Aftermath of the battle led to increased military presence in the region
  • Eventual forced surrender and relocation of the Lakota and their allies to reservations
  • Marked a turning point in the U.S. government's approach to dealing with Native American resistance
• The battle highlighted the ongoing struggles of Native American tribes to defend their lands and ways of life against U.S. expansion
  • Demonstrated the determination and military prowess of Native American warriors
  • Underscored the complex dynamics of alliances and conflicts among different tribes and the U.S. government

Dawes Act (1887)

• The Dawes Act, also known as the General Allotment Act, aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by breaking up tribal lands into individual allotments
  • Authorized the President to divide tribal lands into 160-acre allotments for each Native American head of household
  • Remaining land sold to non-Native buyers, resulting in the loss of millions of acres of tribal land
• The act's emphasis on assimilation and the suppression of Native American cultures contributed to the erosion of tribal identities and the loss of traditional knowledge and practices
  • Encouraged the adoption of European-American culture, language, and agricultural practices
  • Undermined traditional tribal social structures and land use practices
• Implementation of the Dawes Act led to the fragmentation of Native American communities and the dispossession of tribal lands
  • Allotment system often resulted in the sale of "surplus" lands to non-Native buyers, reducing tribal land holdings
  • Created a complex patchwork of land ownership within reservations, complicating tribal governance and resource management
• The Dawes Act had long-lasting impacts on Native American communities
  • Contributed to the impoverishment and marginalization of many tribes
  • Set the stage for further land loss and cultural assimilation policies in the 20th century

Ghost Dance Movement and Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)

• The Ghost Dance movement emerged in the late 1880s as a spiritual and political movement that sought to revitalize Native American cultures and resist the pressures of assimilation
  • Promised the return of ancestral spirits, the restoration of traditional lands, and the disappearance of white settlers
  • Spread rapidly among many Native American tribes, particularly in the Great Plains region
• U.S. government's fear of the movement's potential to inspire resistance led to increased military presence on reservations
  • Attempted to suppress the Ghost Dance and arrest key leaders
  • Tensions culminated in the tragic events at Wounded Knee, where U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children
• The Wounded Knee Massacre marked a turning point in the history of Native American resistance to U.S. expansion and assimilation policies
  • Demonstrated the brutality and violence of U.S. policies towards Native Americans
  • Highlighted the ongoing struggles of Native American communities to maintain their cultural identities and resist forced assimilation
• Legacy of Wounded Knee continues to influence Native American activism and struggles for self-determination
  • Serves as a powerful symbol of Native American resilience and resistance
  • Inspires ongoing efforts to protect tribal sovereignty, cultural heritage, and land rights