AMH 2020 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17: Ore, Homestead Acts, Alcoholism
Document Summary
With the end of the civil war in 1865, americans believed that they are destined to expand across the continent. In the process, they crushed the culture of native. It sent raw materials to help eastern factories. Western economy relied heavily on the federal government which subsidized their railroads, distributed land, and spent millions on the upkeep of soldiers and indians. While traveling west, travelers first encounter the great plains. Few rivers cut through the plains and there was not enough rainfall to support extensive agriculture. There was little lumber for homes and fences. Tools of eastern settlement were useless on the tough and treeless plains soil. As whites moved westward, native american population dwindled and got forced out of their land. By 1870, most tribes were destroyed or forced into submission. Americans of california died to contagious diseases whites carried during the gold rush of 1849. In mid-19th century, nearly (cid:6815) of native americans lived on the great plains.
