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Societies of the Far West

The Conquest of the Far West. Societies of the Far West. Plains Indians. Nomadic hunters The bison provided the economic basis for their way of life Food, clothing, shelter, fuel The Sioux were the most powerful tribe in the Plains

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Societies of the Far West

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  1. The Conquest of the Far West Societies of the Far West

  2. Plains Indians • Nomadic hunters • The bison provided the economic basis for their way of life • Food, clothing, shelter, fuel • The Sioux were the most powerful tribe in the Plains • However, Plains tribes found it difficult to band together against white aggression • Tribes were vulnerable to diseases, such as smallpox • Economic and industrial advances of the U.S. put the Plains Indians at a distinct disadvantage

  3. Taos Indian Rebellion & Hispanic Resistance • After the Mexican War, the new governor of New Mexico tried to establish a government that excluded Hispanics • Hispanics and Indians in New Mexico feared that their land and their society would be taken from them • In 1847, the Taos Indians rebelled, killed the governor and several government officials before being subdued by the U.S. Army

  4. Hispanic California & Texas • Californios – Hispanic residents of California; Mexican landowners after the decline of mission society • Californios were systematically excluded from mines during the gold rush, and many were cheated out of their land • In the span of only a couple of decades, the Mexican aristocracy all but disappeared from California, and Mexicans became part of the lower end of California’s working class • Mexicans in Texas met a similar fate

  5. Chinese Immigration • Looking for better lives than they could live in poverty-stricken China, especially during and after the gold rush • Many white settlers started to see Chinese immigrants as an economic threat • “Foreign miners” taxes

  6. Building the Transcontinental Railroad • Chinese formed 90% of the Central Pacific’s labor force • Railroads often preferred Chinese laborers because they had little or no experience with unions. However, there were instances of strikes for higher wages, safer conditions, and shorter work days • After the completion of the railroad, thousands of Chinese immigrants were suddenly unemployed

  7. Chinatowns • After the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, many Chinese flocked to cities • Prominent merchants formed powerful organizations in Chinatowns, similar to the political machines of the eastern cities • The organizations served the community as: • Employment brokers • Unions • Arbitrators of disputes • Defenders against outside persecution • Dispensers of social services

  8. Anti-Chinese Sentiments • Anti-Coolie Clubs • Boycotted anything made by Chinese labor • Sometimes attacked Chinese laborers or set fire to factories where they worked • Resented Chinese workers for accepting low wages, thereby weakening unions • Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) • Banned Chinese immigration for 10 years • Prevented Chinese immigrants in the U.S. from becoming citizens

  9. Homestead Act (1862) • Settlers could by 160 acres of land for a small fee • Settlers had to occupy and improve the land for 5 years • Provided relief to those who could not find work • Extend American commercial agriculture into the West • The hardships of homesteading in the Great Plains caused many to abandon their farmers before the 5 year requirement

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