Conquest of the West from mid-1800s through 1900 Timeline

  • Homestead Act of 1862

    Abe Lincoln put the act into place. The act encouraged westward migration, and would provide the settlers 160 acres of land.
  • Transcontinental Railroad System

    The transcontinental railroad helped open up the unpopulated areas. The first concrete plan was presented by Asa Whitney.
  • Discoveries Of Large Amounts Of Gold And Silver

    It was discovered in the Silver Bow Creek. The creek was nicknamed the Missoula Iode. Investors William Clark and Andrew Davis constructed mills for extracting the gold and silver. Missoula lode brought Settlers, before there was 200 people, by 1876 there was 500, and by 1876 there was 1000 residents.
  • Shift From “Long Drive” To “Cattle Ranching”

    Cattle Ranching went from 1820-1865. Long Drive went from 1865-1870. Texans Ranchers were the creators.
  • Barbed Wire

    Lucien B. Smith was from Kent, Ohio. Lucien created the barbed wire. It is used as a cheaper alternative to keep things in an area.
  • Growth of New Towns and Cities to Support Cattle, Mining, and Farming Industries

    The railroads brought more population, which then brought more demand for cattle. Basically, they all went hand-in-hand.In 1870 the minral revolution started, and they needed workers to mine, and this is where population took place.
  • Jesse James

    1847-1882. Jesse James was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri. He was also a legendary figure in the west after his dealth.
  • Wild West Shows

    The Wild West Shows were created by William f. "Buffulo Bill" Cody. Wild West Shows is basically a traveling show for peoples amusement.
  • Dawes Act of 1886

    It allowed the Pesident to survey the American Indians. Sentator Henry Laurens Dawes created the Dawes Act.
  • Extinction of Buffalo in 1800s

    There used to be millions before westward expantion, and then American buffalo decreased to less than 1000 by 1890. People would shoot them for fun or for their fur.