American
West
Revision
Guide
Contents
1.
What to expect from the exam
2. The Plains Indians
3. The White Settlers
4. The Struggle for the Plains
5. Test yourself
JHD What to expect from the exam
The American West will be examined only in paper one – this will be the
first paper you sit.
The paper contains sources but the questions will be mainly based on your
knowledge
You can gain the most marks by writing in detail. This means explained
points backed up by relevant facts.
Read the instructions carefully. They will tell you exactly how many
questions you have to answer. Do not answer any more questions than
you need to
The American West is only one part of the first paper. You will also be
required to answer questions on medicine through time.
For the American West section of paper one you will have to answer two
questions.
The first will be a compulsory source based question in three parts. Part
A will require understanding of the sources, inference and the ability to
combine the sources. The wording of the question will be along the lines
of What can you learn from the sources about…..
Part B will be on the same topic as part A but you will not have to use the
sources. The question could focus on key features, change, cause or
consequence. Types of question you could see are
Describe the problems faced by/methods used by/impact of….
In what ways did…change?
What impact did….have on….?
Part C will also focus on key features, change, cause and consequence but
as there are more marks available for that question you will have to add
more detail to your answer.
The second American West question will be an essay style question. You
will have a choice of two questions; each will be supported by source
material. The source material is there to help you. You do not have to
restrict yourself to only writing about the information you see in the
sources and you will not lose marks by not referring to the sources in
your answer. Types of questions you might see are
How important was….?
…was the main reason for…Do you agree?
What impact did…have on…?
2 JHD How much did…change in….?
Why was…so difficult/important/weak in….?
3 JHD The Plains Indians
Topic Summary
There were many different nations of Native Americans living on
the Plains. This topic will test your knowledge of their way of life
(focusing particularly on the Sioux)
Most customs came from their belief that land and animals were
equal to humans and should be treated with respect. Their lifestyle
was nomadic because of their need to hunt.
Important facts
Way of Life
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The Way of life was based on the fact that the Plains Indians were
hunters who moved frequently in search of the Buffalo. They lived
in tepees which were easy to transport.
The Buffalo was not just used for food but also for clothing,
shelter and day to day items.
Men and Women had a clearly defined role. Men were to hunt and
fight and women were to take care of all domestic matters
including moving camp.
Old people were cared for and respected for their knowledge.
However, once they became a burden on the tribe they were left
behind.
4 JHD Hunting and warfare
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War between the different tribes was common. They fought for
horses and honour.
The aim of warfare was not to kill. The main aim was to count coup
where the warrior would touch the enemy with the end of a coup
stick.
As a result wars on the plains had low numbers of casualties.
Another custom was scalping of the enemy. This was to avoid
meeting the enemy again in the afterlife.
Beliefs
- They believed in the ‘Great Spirit‛. They communicated with the
spirits through the medicine men, visions and dances.
- When they died they believed their spirit would go to the Happy
Hunting Ground. Their ancestors‛ bodies became dust on the Plains
which made the tribal lands sacred.
Top Tips for revising the Plains Indians
1. Create a mind map of the key features of
Plains Indians life and culture.
2. Create a Venn diagram of similarities and
differences between the Plains Indians and
the White Settlers.
3. Do the fling the teacher game at
www.schoolhistory.co.uk/games/fling/nativeamericans/index.shtml
Past Questions on the Plains Indians 1. How important were the railways in changing the traditional way of life of the Plains Indians in the years 1860–90? Explain your answer. You could include the following in your answer and any other information of your own.
· The Trans­continental Railway was completed in 1869.
· The Government gave the railway companies 175 million acres of land in the
5 JHD years 1865–71.
· In the years 1872–74 almost 14 million buffalo hides were sent to the east of the country. (Total 15 marks)
6 JHD The White Settlers
The Early Settlers on the Plains
Topic Summary
In 1840 the Plains were known as the Great American Desert and no
white American believed they could live there successfully. However,
settlers gradually began to make the move west.
The journey west was harsh and many did not survive. This topic
looks at the first people to make this journey; the mountain men,
pioneers and the miners (also known as 49ers)
Important Facts
Mountain Men
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Their job was to trap and hunt animals for
their fur. They had to know the mountains
and surrounding areas very well.
- Relations with the Plains Indians were
generally good, mainly because they did not disrupt or threaten
their way of life.
By 1840 the fur trade was declining and many mountain men acted
as scouts or guides in blazing the first trails across the Great
Plains to new areas in the West.
Pioneers/Trailblazers
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The first group of Pioneers travelled to Oregon in 1839, seeking a
new life for themselves on the other side of the Great Plains.
Land was becoming more scarce in the East as the Population grew.
This was made worse by a financial crisis in 1837 which caused
bankruptcies and unemployment.
The journey was full of dangers such as lack of water, bad weather,
running out of food, huge rivers and attacks by hostile Indians.
7 JHD Miners
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In 1848 gold was discovered in California. A rush of people
followed, all keen to make their fortune. The early miners were a
cross-section of society and there were also many from other
countries.
As the mining took place in remote places there was often poor law
and order and bad living conditions. Many soon became ghost towns
when the gold ran out.
The gold rush encouraged the development of the West.
Revision tips for the Early Settlers
1. Make flash cards of key points.
2. Create a living graph of one of the stories of
the journey west.
3. Identify push and pull factors for people
making the journey west.
Past Questions on the Early Settlers 1. Source A: A photograph of a wagon train heading west in the mid­nineteenth century. Source B: From the diary of an Oregon pioneer, Amelia Stewart Knight, 1853. We had a dreadful storm last night and very sharp lightning. It killed two oxen. We had just encamped on the flat prairie when the storm began in all its fury. In two minutes, after the cattle were taken from the wagons, every animal was gone out of sight, cows, calves, horses all gone. The wind was so high I thought it would tear the wagons to pieces.
8 JHD Source C: From a letter from Anna King to her family. She is writing from Oregon in 1845. I like the country. It is an easy place to make a living. You can raise cattle as you please, for the grass is green the whole winter and cattle are as fat as if they have been stall­fed the whole year round. 2. (a) Study Sources A, B and C. What can you learn from these sources about the early settlement of the West? (5) (b) Use your own knowledge to explain why so many people went west between 1840 and 1860. (8) (Total 13 marks)
9 JHD The Railroads and Manifest Destiny
Topic Summary
These were two of the main factor which helped people make the
journey west and changing the plains forever.
Important Facts
The Railways
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The first railroad company was built in
1869 by the Union Pacific Railroad
company and the Central Pacific Railroad
Company. By 1893 there were six
companies connecting east and west.
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The government gave the companies free land which they either
used or sold to settlers which further increased business.
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Railroad companies advertised the Plains and sold cheap tickets to
encourage as many settlers as possible.
Manifest Destiny
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Manifest Destiny was the American belief that it was their Godgiven right to control the whole of North America.
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In order for this policy to work the lands had to be settled with
loyal, hardworking white Americans.
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The government encouraged settlement by giving away cheap or
free land to Settlers.
Revision Tips for the Railroads and Manifest
Destiny
Create prompt cards with the definition of Manifest
Destiny.
10 JHD Past Questions on the Railroads and
Manifest Destiny Was the growth of railroads the main reason why so many people moved west in the USA after the end of the Civil War in 1865? Explain your answer. You could include the following in your answer and any other information of your own.
· The Oregon Trail was a popular route west.
· 1869 The first trans­continental railroad was opened.
· The belief in Manifest Destiny. (15 marks)
11 JHD Homesteaders
Topic Summary
The Homesteaders succeeded in the difficult task of settling the
Plains and making the land fertile enough to support them. The
Homesteaders took advantage of new technology to help them
manage the land and the success of some opened the flood-gates to
mass migration to the plains.
Important Facts
Why did they move to the Plains?
- Life in the East was expensive and jobs
were difficult to find. Many of the
homesteaders wanted to start a new life
and farm their own land (land was scarce
in the east).
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Europeans were also arriving on the plains
to settle after escaping from persecution or economic problems in
their homelands.
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The railroad companies encouraged people to move to the plains
through advertising, offers of cheap land and cheap tickets to the
West.
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The government also encouraged people to move west. The
Homestead Act (1862) allowed settlers to claim 160 acres of land
and pay $30 after five years to make the land their own.
How the Homesteaders survived
- When the Homesteaders realised that 160 acres was not enough to
support the average family, the government passed The Timber
and Culture Act (1873). This doubled the amount of land that
could be claimed but they had to plant trees on half of it.
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The Homesteaders had to use whatever resources were available.
This meant building sod houses instead of using wood. Lack of
water was a big problem as there were no streams or rivers.
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The Homesteaders were able to solve most of their problems.
12 JHD v They used Turkey Red, a strain of wheat which could grow in the
harsh conditions.
v The use of dry farming saved rainfall from being immediately
evaporated by the sun.
v Railroads brought machinery and supplies and general stores were
set up in the new towns
v The Timber and Culture Act meant that in the long term wood
would be available on the plains.
v Wind pumps and mechanical reapers were examples of new
technology that revolutionised farming of the plains. Barbed wire
made land safe from stray cattle.
The Role of Women
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Women were vital to survival on the Plains. They used the
resources available to care for their families. As there was no wood
they had to collect dried cow and buffalo dung to burn. They had to
feed their families on a limited supply and had to cope with the
bugs and dirt that lived in the sod house.
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Women were also the main educators.
Revision Tips for the Homesteaders
Create a table or a pairs game on the problems faced
by the homesteaders and the solutions they found.
Past Questions on the Homesteaders
1. The Homesteaders and the Plains
Indians were the largest groups to live
on the Plains. Although the plains were
dry and hostile both groups managed to
survive. Did they use the same
methods?
2. How important was the government in
encouraging the homesteaders to settle
on the Plains?
13 JHD Did the US Government play an important part in solving the farming problems which homesteaders faced on the Plains? Explain your answer. You could include the following in your answer and any other information of your own.
· · · Rainfall on the Great Plains was very low.
In 1869, the first railroad across the Plains was completed.
The Timber and Culture Act was passed in 1873. (Total 15 marks) 1. Source A: Thomas Allen Bunting describes his mother’s life in Kansas. The family moved to Kansas in 1855. I have often wondered how my mother stood it with a family of children and no one to help her but my oldest sister. We used candles which my mother made by pouring melted wax into moulds. We used soap my mother made by dripping water slowly through a barrel of wood ash to get the alkali and potash. Source B: A woman recalls the effect of heavy rain on a sod house in the 1860s. Sometimes the water would drip on the stove while I was cooking and I would have to keep a lid on the pans to prevent mud falling into the food. With my dress pinned up, I waded around until the clouds rolled by. Source C: A drawing published in 1868 showing ploughing in Kansas. 2. (a) Study Sources A, B and C. What can you learn from these sources about the problems faced by the
14 JHD early homesteaders? (5) (b) Use your own knowledge to explain why people began farming the Plains in the early 1860s in spite of the difficulties they faced. (8) (Total 13 marks)
15 JHD Cowboys and Cattlemen
Topic Summary
The history of the cattle industry began with the driving of cattle
through the plains to the markets in the North. Then cow towns
started developing where the cattlemen and buyers would meet as
the railroads were built. New technology encouraged ranches to the
Plains.
Cattle industry reached its peak in 1880 but there were now too
many cattle, causing prices to fall and ruining many ranches.
There were many conflicts between the cattlemen and the
homesteaders.
Important Facts
Beginnings
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The first long drives began in 1837. During
the Civil War cattle had been allowed to
roam free and their numbers grew rapidly.
- The long drives north were dangerous and
exciting. The cowboys risked attacks from
hostile Indians and cattle rustlers. They faced bad weather, lack
of water and opposition from local homesteaders who did not want
their cattle to catch the Texas Fever carried by the longhorn
cattle.
Growth of ranching and cattle towns
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During the 1860‛s and 1870‛s many people began to raise cattle on
the ‘open range‛ in order to avoid the long drive. Many huge ranches
soon appeared on the open range and the massive profits attracted
even more people into cattle ranching.
Joseph McCoy built a market town called Abilene to buy and sell
cattle on the Plains. Other cattle towns grew up along the path of
the railroad.
16 JHD The Life of a Cowboy
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At first cowboys came from Texas but soon they came from all
over the USA
Life and work on the long drive was hard with low wages and poor
conditions. The equipment needed had to be provided by the men
themselves.
The long drive could take up to four months.
There were many hazards including stampedes, river crossing,
blizzards, drought and Indian raids. There was also conflict with
homesteaders and rustlers.
Decline of the Cattle Industry
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Many smaller farmers were taken over by large ranching
corporations led by cattle barons.
Cattle became more expensive but prices of beef dropped.
Two bad winters in 1886 and 1887 caused problems.
Revision tips for Cattlemen and Cowboys
1. Compare the myth and reality of a
cowboy‛s life
2. Create a timeline of the cattle industry.
Past Questions on Cattlemen and Cowboys
1. Briefly describe how the work of a
cowboy changed between 1840 and 1890
(7 marks)
2. The Great Plains were dry and barren,
not the ideal environment to breed
cattle. Why then did the Cattlemen
settle there? (9 marks) 2. Explain why cattle ranching changed so much between 1865 and 1895. (Total 12 marks)
17 JHD The Mormons
Topic Summary
The Mormons were a different type of settler. They chose to live in
the West in the unfertile Salt Lake Valley. Non-Morons feared them
and were opposed to their belief in polygamy. After the Mormons had
been forced out of three states (Ohio, Missouri and Illinois) their
leader Brigham Young realised that they should move far away from
other white Americans.
Salt Lake City became a prosperous, largely self sufficient city and
eventually an independent state of America.
Important Facts
The Beginnings and Joseph Smith
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The story of the beginnings of the
Mormon religion was that in 1823 Joseph
Smith was shown some plates buried by an
angel called Moroni on a mountainside. The
angle translated the plates which said that
the finder of the plates would prepare God‛s kingdom on earth for
Christ‛s second coming.
Joseph Smith gained more and more supporters and they settled in
Kirtland, Ohio. They were driven out when successful Mormon
banks lost money in a crisis in 1837 and non-Mormon investors
blamed the Mormons for the problems.
The Mormons moved to Independence, Missouri and became
successful again. Non-Mormons resented their success and felt
threatened by their increasing numbers. Many Mormons were
arrested and others had to leave Missouri for Illinois.
In Illinois they had more success building their own town called
‘Nauvoo‛. They became an independent political state but the nonMormons felt threatened by the Mormons increasing power and
were disgusted by the practice of polygamy.
Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in 1844.
Brigham Young
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The new leader of the Mormons had to lead the Mormons out of
Nauvoo to Salt Lake Valley, which was unfertile and isolated.
18 JHD Organisation of Mormon Society
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On arrival land was divided into equal sections for people to work.
It was owned by everyone and run by the Church. A committee was
set up to share out water and the digging of irrigation ditches
enabled the land to become fertile enough to farm.
The Perpetual Emigration fund was set up to bring in Mormons from
elsewhere.
The government would only let Salt Lake City become a territory
not a ‘free‛ state. The Mormons did not become a totally
independent state until 1890 when they compromised and gave up
polygamy.
Revision Tips for the Mormons
1. Create a living graph of the history of
the Mormons.
Past Questions on the Mormons 1. Explain why the Mormons succeeded in creating Salt Lake City. (Total 12 marks)
19 JHD Conflict between the settlers
Topic Summary
Settling a new area brings many problems. Particularly as the
government did not offer much support for healthcare, education or
law and order. Many towns had few permanent settlers and they
settlers were often reluctant to pay local taxes to set up efficient
systems.
Important Facts
Problems of law and order
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Famous examples were shoot-outs, bank
robberies, corrupt sheriffs, gamblers and
prostitutes.
- The real problems took time to be solved
as the settlers arrived before the
government could set up a system of law and order or plan towns
carefully.
The areas policed were a long way from each other and had too
much land to control. Sheriffs were often untrained.
Claim-jumping and disturbances over land were common.
Miners‛ courts were set up to deal with problems but most people
refused to accept their verdict.
Vigilantes
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Settlers resorted to forming vigilante committees and took the law
into their own hands. Vigilante groups acted quickly and dealt with
problems such as cattle rustling.
Problems between Cattlemen and Homesteaders
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The Johnson County War was the worst clash between
homesteaders and cattlemen. It was about cattle rustling, but it
was also a power struggle for control of the county.
Cattlemen and homesteaders often argued over the use of watering
holes and cattle rustling. Some cattlemen cut through barbed wired
fences to get to water.
20 JHD Revision tips for the problems
1. Put the problems faced by the early
settlers in an order of importance.
2. Create prompt cards for the key
facts.
Past exam questions on the problems
1. How successful was the system of law
and order before 1890?
2. The settlers and the ranchers both
wanted to make a success of their life
on the plains. Why then did they cause
so many problems of law and order?
3. Who caused most problems on the
plains: The Plains Indians, the cattlemen
or the homesteaders?
21 JHD The Struggle for the Plains
Topic Summary
Due to the government policy of settling the Plains the Indians and
the White Settlers came into conflict. The Plains Indians were
given land ‘permanently‛ and then the size of that land was made
smaller as the pressure for land increased. Finally, they were
forced to move onto reservation, which were so small it was
impossible to live their traditional nomadic lifestyle.
Important Facts
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In 1832 the Department of Indian Affairs
agreed that the Plains to the west of
Mississippi was to become the permanent
Indian frontier
- In 1851 the Fort Laramie Treaty revealed
that the policy had changed to
concentrate the Indians in a smaller
protected area for which they would be paid. In return they would
stop attacks on government troops and travellers.
The Plains Wars followed as the Plains Indians were angry that the
land they were given was getting smaller.
In 1864 Chief Black Kettle went to Fort Lyon to offer to end the
wars. Then 450 men, women and children were massacred by
Colonel Chivington at Sand Creek.
The next major change in policy happened when gold was found in
the Black Hills of Dakota. These hills were special hunting grounds
of the Plains Indians but pressure increased to take this land away
from them and send them to reservations.
Some nations accepted this decision but others, realising it would
mean an end to their way of life, did not.
The government sent in the army to force remaining tribes onto
the reservations. During this period General Custer was defeated
at the Battle of Little Bighorn 1876. The people were outraged and
supported the government‛s policy towards the Plains Indians.
Custer‛s role in the defeat of 1876 is controversial. He was a brave
man but he was also a risk taker who ignored orders and
effectively led his men to death.
22 JHD -
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The last clash between the army and the Plains Indians was at the
Battle of Wounded Knee. Here a single shot fired by an Indian led
to the shooting of men, women and children. The last of the Sioux
then surrendered.
In 1889 the government opened up the remaining areas of Indian
Territory.
Revision tips for the struggle for the Plains
1. Create flash cards for the key dates of
treaties and battles.
Past Questions on the Struggle for the
Plains
1. The Indians only lost their struggle for
the Plains because they were
outnumbered by the cavalry who also
had much better weapons. Do you
agree?
(8 marks) 3. Explain why wars developed between the Plains Indians and the Government of the USA in the 1860s and 1870s. You could include the following in your answer and any other information of your own.
· · · In 1851, The Treaty of Fort Laramie agreed the areas of the Indian hunting grounds.
The Sand Creek Massacre took place in 1864.
Gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874. (Total 15 marks)
23 JHD Test Yourself
Here are some questions you could use to test your
knowledge of the American West. There are many other
questions you could ask. Try and create some of your
own.
Remember: It is just as important to do practice
questions as it is to learn the facts. Successful revision
needs a combination of both!
1. On what did the Plains Indians rely for food, clothing and shelter?
2. What did warriors do to their enemies to prevent their souls
moving to the afterlife?
3. Why was the lifestyle of the Plains Indians nomadic?
4. What were the roles of men and women?
5. Give two similarities between the mountain men and Plains Indians
6. What problems did the Pioneers face on the journey across the
Plains?
7. What was the first area settled in by the Mormons?
8. How did Joseph Smith die?
9. Why did Brigham Young chose to move the Mormons to Salt Lake
City?
10. What happened to cattle during the Civil War?
11. Who founded Abilene?
12. Name two issues that caused conflict between the cattlemen and
the homesteaders
13. What was ‘Manifest Destiny‛?
14. Why did the homesteaders move to the Plains instead of the more
fertile west coast?
15. What problems did the farmers face on the Plains?
16. Name the crop that grew well on the Plains
17. What did the Homesteaders use for fuel?
18. Give two reasons for the lack of law and order
19. What was agreed at Fort Laramie in 1851?
20.Give two problems of living on a reservation for a Plains Indian
21. What was ghost dancing?
24 JHD