"The existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement, explain American development."
Frederick Jackson Turner
Frontier
Much of America's self-image stems from traits associated with the period of westward expansion. Manifest destiny, rugged individualism, "pull your self up by your own boot straps", tough justice, and practical innovation are a few of these traits. During this period, the US expanded its territory to link the east and west coast. Migration motivated by a desire for quick wealth or inexpensive land plus the growth of the railroad brought families to the "Great American Desert". Innovations like the windmill, steel plow, and barbed wire helped these families tame the frontier.
While many benefited from these changes, others did not. Reduction of the buffalo herds plus government policies favoring Americanization, reservations and increases in military activity in the west contribute to significant population declines among Native Americans. Chinese immigrants, recruited to build the growing railroad infrastructure, were confronted by discrimination. Conflicts even included divisions among settlement groups such as the miners, ranchers, and farmers over land use, private ownership rights, and resource control. Many disgruntled farmers organized the Populist Party which pushed for national reform on issues like shipping rates, the monetary system, graduated income tax, secret ballot, direct election of Senators, and an eight-hour work day.
While many benefited from these changes, others did not. Reduction of the buffalo herds plus government policies favoring Americanization, reservations and increases in military activity in the west contribute to significant population declines among Native Americans. Chinese immigrants, recruited to build the growing railroad infrastructure, were confronted by discrimination. Conflicts even included divisions among settlement groups such as the miners, ranchers, and farmers over land use, private ownership rights, and resource control. Many disgruntled farmers organized the Populist Party which pushed for national reform on issues like shipping rates, the monetary system, graduated income tax, secret ballot, direct election of Senators, and an eight-hour work day.
What to know for the EOC
- Analyze economic, political, and social issues of the period: Indian policies, beginnings of Populism, growth of railroads, farm issues, the cattle industry boom, and immigration
- Evaluate the impact of third parties
- Analyze the impact of physical and human geographic factors on the settlement of the Great Plains and the Klondike Gold Rush
- Analyze the causes and effects of changing demographic patterns resulting from western migration
- Describe how the economic impact of the Transcontinental Railroad and the Homestead Act contributed to the close of the frontier in the late 19th century
- Discuss the Americanization movement to assimilate American Indians
- Explain how specific needs result in scientific discoveries and technology innovations in agriculture
- Analyze how scientific discoveries, technological innovations,and the application of these by the free enterprise system, including those in transportation and communication, improve the standard of living in the United States