Cliff Notes for Chapter 16:
The West After the Civil War

 

[audio]The following information was presented in this chapter:

The West grew a lot after the Civil War. The government passed laws to give land away cheaply, so many people worked on farms. People also moved West in search of gold and other valuable materials.

  • Many immigrants moved West, and helped lay railroad or work at farms or in small businesses or factories.
  • Inventions began to make farming easier.
  • The transcontinental railroad brought supplies to farmers and exported their goods.
  • Banks began to provide credit to people in the West.
  • The U.S. military fought with the Native Americans over land. After years of conflict, the Native Americans were forced onto reservations.

 

[audio]Important dates to remember:

  • 1846-1848 Mexican War
  • 1849 Gold and silver found in the West
  • 1862 Homestead Act
  • 1869 Transcontinental railroad completed
  • 1876 Battle of Little Big Horn
  • 1877-1878 Desert Land Act, Timber and Stone Act
  • 1887 Dawes Act
  • 1890 Massacre at Wounded Knee

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    [audio]Who's who in this chapter:

  • John Deere invented the steel plow.
  • Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper.
  • Cochise, Geronimo - Apache leaders
  • Black Kettle - Cheyenne leader
  • Little Crow - Santee Sioux leader
  • Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse - Oglala Sioux leaders
  • General Custer - U.S. general killed in the Battle of Little Big Horn
  • Chief Joseph - Nez Perce leader


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