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Extinction of buffalo in 1800s
During the 1800's when the United States went West, the want for bison skin, meat, and fur began in the great plains.The United States government encouraged people to hunt bison because it would remove the Native Americans who relied on the bison as food. -
Jesse James
Jesse James was a famous outlaw of the Old West. Jesse was involved in muders, gangs, and bank robberies. Jesse Was killed by Robert Ford. -
Discoveries of large amounts of gold and silver
In the year of 1859, a large amount of glod was found in South Dakota, Montana, Colarado, and California. With this discovery a large amount of silver was found in Kansas as well. The finding of this gold and silver increased population in the west, which later caused war between us and the Indians because the Native Americans had to move off that land. -
Homestead Act of 1862
On May 20, 1862 Persident Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Homestead act. Thia act had encouraged Western migration because it provided settlers with 160 acres of land. -
Shift from "long drive" to "cattle ranching"
Cattle Drives were a big part in the economic system especially between 1866 to 1886. This is when 20 million cattle had to be herded from Texas to Kansas railheads for shipments to stockyards in Chicago. -
Transcontinental railroad system
On May 10, 1869 the first transcontinental railroad was completed. After seven years of the two companies racing they met at Promontory, Utah on May 10. -
Barbed Wire
In 1874 the invention of barbed wire was created. This invention was superior to other fences. It was made of two iron wires with a series of barbs which are twisted iron who's ends are sharpened. -
Wild West Shows
Wild West Shows are traveling vaudeville performances, which are shows that have a variety of things that go around the United States and Europe.The first wild west show was in 1883 and lasted to 1913, it was called Buffalo Bill's. The show provided many western personalities and performances. -
Dawes act of 1886
Congress passed the Dawes Act of February 8, 1887. This act got its name from its author, senetor Henry Dawes from Massachusetts. This act states that the treatment of Native Americans should be as individuales rather than members of tribes. -
Growth of new towns and cities to support cattle, mining, and farming industries
Many people wanted to become rich so new towns and cities were built in the west. There were gold mines and silver mines out west so people went there to find money.
