INDIAN WARS

WHITE MIGRATION WEST • During the later 1800s,

relations with Indians continued to decline due to white migration west • Migration took away valuable

hunting grounds, breaking land treaties and destroying the “lifeblood” of the Indians on the plains the Buffalo

• Buffalo Soldier – African Americans cavalry regiments named by the Indians who greatly respected these soldiers • 20% of U.S. Cavalry troopers

were Black, and fought over 177 engagements

WAR BEGINS

• Conflict between the United States and Indian tribes began as early as the 1860s as Indians began raiding trade routes and settlements during the Colorado Gold Rush.

THE WEST BECOMES WHITE

• After these Indian Wars end, white-settlers successfully settled the West and the expense of the Indians and their cultural heritage.

• By 1890, the “frontier” was officially closed, as settlement of the West by white-settlers was complete.

FARMERS AND POPULISM

THE PLIGHT OF FARMERS• To pay for the Civil War,

US increased its money supply by issuing millions in greenbacks (paper currency) that could not be exchanged for gold or silver coins. • This led to inflation – a

decline in the value of money

• As the paper money lost its value, the prices of crops soared farmers happy

• The government pulled greenbacks out of circulation and stopped making silver into coins• Decrease in money = deflation – increase in the value of money

• Many farmers had borrowed money causing debt with increasing interest at a time when prices for crops was falling due to deflation

• With the opening of the West, more farmers were growing crops which led to the drop in prices for crops due to the increase in supply farmers not happy

• In addition, railroads were giving large rebates to big business and passing the cost onto the farmers• Rebate – a partial refund to lower the rate of a good or commodity

• Farmers were being taken advantage of and loosing money

FARMERS UNITE

• Outrageous railroad charges to haul crops along with declining food prices and rising debt led farmers to unite • Grange (1867) – organization of farmers that banded together for political and economic benefits and interests • Helped establish local and state laws to regulate and control the railroads

• Farmers' Alliances (1877) – Formed cooperatives which combined goods and sold them together to give more power to farmers • Agenda included government control of transportation and reforms of currency, land ownership, and income tax policies

RAILROAD REGULATIONWabash v. Illinois (1886) –states have no authority to regulating railroads• Government financially support railroads

(subsidies) • Led to the Interstate Commerce

Act

• Interstate Commerce Act (1887) – created federal agency designed to address railroad abuse and discrimination • Required the shipping rates be

reasonable and public• Rebates and price discrimination

made illegal

POPULISM

POPULISM• Movement created to increase the political power and influence of farmers and urban workers

• People's (Populist) Party (1892) – political party formed to address and voice the concerns of farmers and labors

POPULIST PLATFORM • Increase in the money supply• Allow banks to give more loans to

farmers at a cheaper interest rate• Graduated Income Tax• Tax on how much you get paid so

wealthy pay more• 8 hour work day• Low pay, long hours, dangerous work conditions

MONEY CRISIS • Panic of 1893 – the nation fell into the

worst economic depression it had ever experienced due to big railroad failure• Led to a crash on Wall Street and bank

closures 

Two views on how to back the monetary system:• Gold Standard – paper money would be

backed only by gold• Expensive, but more stable

supported by bankers and businessmen of the eastern elite

• Bimetallism – paper money would be backed by gold and silver • More currency with less value

supported by farmers

ELECTION OF 1896• How to back the monetary

system was at the forefront of election• Republicans and eastern

elites endorsed William McKinley Gold Standard• Populists and Democrats

both endorsed William Jennings Bimetalism• Gold Standard and

McKinley won

POPULISM – SUCCESS OR FAILURE?• Although Populism didn’t achieve its goals, the movement didn’t vanish but transformed into an urban movement in the 20th century called Progressivism.