Clash of Cultures on the PrairieClash of Cultures on the Prairie

Causes/Effects of the Dawes Act of (1887)Causes/Effects of the Dawes Act of (1887)

1850’s Great Wave of Immigration1850’s Great Wave of Immigration

IrishIrish GermanGerman ItalianItalian ChineseChinese

All coming for opportunity due to economic, social and political upheavals in their countries.

  

Compromise of 1850 leads to….Compromise of 1850 leads to…. Transcontinental Railroad - Completed in the Transcontinental Railroad - Completed in the

early 1860s to California.early 1860s to California. Increase in track laid from 30,000 to Increase in track laid from 30,000 to

180,000 miles between  1830s - 18890s180,000 miles between  1830s - 18890s Telegraph creates instant communicationTelegraph creates instant communication

Forces moving Americans Westward

Forces Moving People WestForces Moving People West

Opportunity Opportunity The American Dream The American Dream (Horatio (Horatio Alger Rags to riches)Alger Rags to riches)

Gold RushGold Rush Railroad Need for work and ease of Railroad Need for work and ease of

Crossing countryCrossing country Increase of ImmigrationIncrease of Immigration Homestead Act (1862) 160 acres free land Homestead Act (1862) 160 acres free land

to farm.to farm. Gov. Support for Farming  *Morill Act Gov. Support for Farming  *Morill Act

(1862) Education support(1862) Education support

The Railroad and the Cycle The Railroad and the Cycle of Economic Developmentof Economic Development

Railroad needs…Railroad needs… Workers…     Workers…      Workers become settlersWorkers become settlers Settlers need land and resourcesSettlers need land and resources Food and Farming is needed   Food and Farming is needed   More rail is needed to support new settlers More rail is needed to support new settlers More rails Needed….More rails Needed….                                           

Cattle, Farming and the RailCattle, Farming and the Rail Demand for cattle and Demand for cattle and

wheat requires wheat requires increase of track in all increase of track in all directions for directions for distribution nation distribution nation wide.wide.

Cities form at major Cities form at major rail stops, or rail is rail stops, or rail is sent to form cities. sent to form cities. Mining towns, Timber, Mining towns, Timber, Mills Mills

Clashes with Indians:Clashes with Indians:

Massacre at Sand Creek Massacre at Sand Creek (1864)(1864)150 – 500 dead150 – 500 deadChivington attacksChivington attacksprotected Indiansprotected Indianson reservationon reservation

Battle of Little Battle of Little Big Horn (1876)Big Horn (1876)Custer’s “Last Stand”Custer’s “Last Stand”

The Dawes Act (1887)The Dawes Act (1887) Move from Reservation and paternalismMove from Reservation and paternalism To assimilation and private land ownershipTo assimilation and private land ownership

Henry DawesHenry DawesSenator Mass.Senator Mass.Indian AffairsIndian Affairs

President GrantPresident GrantSees assimilationSees assimilationas last chance as last chance for Indian survivalfor Indian survival

Effects of Dawes ActEffects of Dawes Act Loss of CultureLoss of Culture Loss Sacred LandsLoss Sacred Lands Loss of DignityLoss of Dignity Sacrifice ReligionSacrifice Religion Bad FarmingBad Farming Denigration of Indian prideDenigration of Indian pride Battle of Wounded Knee..Battle of Wounded Knee.. Burke Act (1906) See “End of Dawes PowerPoint for Burke Act (1906) See “End of Dawes PowerPoint for

details on the causes effects of wounded Knee.details on the causes effects of wounded Knee. Indian Reorganization Act (1934)Indian Reorganization Act (1934)