Changes on the Western Frontier

Section 1: Cultures Clash on the Prairie

Main Idea: The cattle industry boomed in the late 1800’s, as the culture of the Plains Indians declined.

Why It Matters Now: Today, ranchers and Plains Indians work to preserve their cultural traditions.

The Culture of the Plains Indians/Settlers Push West

·  What were the characteristics of the Plains Indians culture?

·  How did the culture of the white settlers differ from that of the Plains Indians?

·  Why did settlers continue to push westward?

The Government Restricts Native Americans/Bloody Battles Continue

·  How did the government attempt to deal with the growing conflict between Native Americans and white settlers?

·  Why did the Black Hills become a contested territory between Native Americans and Whites?

·  What were the consequences of the defeat of General Custer’s forces?

The Government Supports Assimilation/The Battle of Wounded Knee

·  What was the Dawes Act and what goal did it seek to achieve?

·  Why was the destruction of the buffalo so detrimental to the Native American way of life?

·  What were the causes and consequences of the Battle of Wounded Knee?

Cattle Become Big Business

·  What influence did Spanish ranchers have on the American cowboy?

·  How did the growth of railroads and cities impact the cattle business?

·  Where did the Chisholm Trail run?

A Day in the Life of a Cowboy/The End of the Open Range

·  How did the ordinary cowboy’s life differ from the popular concept of it?

·  What was the long drive?

·  What factors helped bring an end to the open range?

Key Terms

Great Plains
Treaty of Fort Laramie
Sitting Bull
George A. Custer
Assimilation
Dawes Act
Battle of Wounded Knee
Longhorn
Chisholm Trail
Long Drive

Critical Thinking:

Ø  Why do you think the assimilation policy of the Dawes Act failed? Support your opinion with information from the text.

Ø  What economic opportunities drew large numbers of people to the Great Plains in the mid-1800’s?

Ø  Identify the reasons for the rise and decline of the cattle industry.