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Discoveries of large amounts of gold
The California/Oregon gold rush. Causing thousands of people to rush over to the west, trying to get rich off of gold. The people who went to look for gold, are commonly called "49ers." -
discoveries of large amounts of silver
The discovery of this precious metal, had caused thousands of people to flock towards the west in search of silver. -
Homestead Act of 1862
The Homestead Act had opened up western settlement. By offering any and all Americans, including freed slaves, the opportuinity to place in a claim for up to 160 acres of free federal land. Was important because it led to westward travel. -
Barbed Wire
Was created in Kent Ohio by Lucien B. Smith. It was important because it helped keep cattle in an area and it protected them from predators. -
Transcontinential Railroad System
Congress Pacific Railroad Acts of 1862, 1864, and 1867. It was important because it helped transport people and things faster then wagons, and made new jobs. -
extinction of buffalo in 1800s
Where the military started to command their troops to kill all the buffalo. So that the Native Americans would eventually starve, since they did not have a stable food source anymore. Was important because it killed off a species, and killed many Natives. -
Jesse James Assasination
Jesse James was born on September 5, 1847. Jesse was assaimated by April 3, 1882. He was an all American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. -
Wild West Shows
They wer a kind of traveling circus, traveling all around America, doing all sorts of acts, and having many different animals in these shows. This was important because it was some of the more popular forms of entertainment, and also promoted the westward way of life. -
Dawes Act of 1886
The Dawes Act was the U.S. selling the Native American lands. This was important because we needed more land. -
shift from “long drive” to “cattle ranching”
Keeping cattle in one spot, so that there would be less loss, disputes, and it was safer for the people, and easier as well. It was important because you can breed cattle and therefore end up having more beef. Also kept the cattle and other animals from roaming off too far, so that someone else could claim them as their own. -
growth of new towns and cities to support cattle, mining, and farming industries
All of these new towns and cities were being built to keep up with the rapid population groth due to the fact that the gold and silver rush was bringing so mant people over to the west.
