How Did Different Groups See the American West 1839-1860?

How did different groups see the American West 1839-1860?

Timeline Key Terms and Concepts 1837 Economic slump in America with banks collapsing, Apache Native Americans who lived on the southwest plains and unemployment and a collapse in the price of wheat. hunted the buffalo. 1838 Mormons settle in Nauvoo, Illinois. Black Hills An area of Dakota that held sacred importance for the 1840 Beaver fur ceases to be profitable and Mountain Men like Jim Lakota. Bridger become guides instead of trappers. Buffalo Dance Performed by Native American plains tribes to bring 1841 Pre-emption Act passed giving farmers who cleared land in success in hunting the buffalo. Oregon the right to purchase it. Cheyenne Native Americans on the plains who by the 1830s lived 1846 Donner Party become stuck in the Sierra Nevada mountains nomadically hunting the buffalo. leading to stories of cannibalism. Cholera One of the biggest challenges on the trail was water- 1846 Mormon leader Joseph Smith murdered and Mormons begin borne diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery. their 1,300 mile journey west. Independence Missouri town that was a common starting point for the 1847 Mormons found Salt Lake City, Utah. Oregon or California Trail. 1848 USA defeats Mexico in 1848 and annexes the South West Lakota Sioux Native American who moved west and came to dominate including California and Utah. the plains whilst claiming the Black Hills of Dakota. 1848 Discovery of gold in California confirmed by President Polk. Oregon Trail The routes across America taken by 400,000 migrants 1849 100,000 people make the journey west to California. between 1839 and 1860. (including California Trail) 1851 Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho meet a Fort Laramie to Platte River A challenging river to cross on the Oregon Trail. agree to USA establishing forts and routes across the plains. Rocky Mountains A mountain range that formed a barrier across America 1852 10,000 people have come to live in Salt Lake City. between the Great Plains and the Far West coast. 1855 US Government signed treaties with the Yakima in Oregon Sager Family A family on the Oregon Trail in 1844 who experienced Territory, but quickly had seized 90% of their land. extreme challenges as both parents died on the way. 1857 Government sends troops into Utah leading to Mormons Tipi A perfectly designed portable home for life on the plains. massacring some settlers and being forced to join the Union. Wakan Tanka Native American Great Spirit. 1858 Gold discovered in Pike’s Peak leading to second gold rush. Key Questions Other Important Figures Joseph Smith Founder of the Mormons in 1830. “It was the Mormons who overcame the greatest challenges in settling Brigham Young Mormon Leader who founded Salt Lake City. the West between 1838 and 1860.” How far do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer. [18 Sam Brannan Businessman who publicised and profited from gold rush. marks] President Polk Confirmed the reports of gold in California in 1848.