565
Western expansion
There were no trees or rocks to
use as building materials on the
Great Plains. So the first settlers
built their houses from dirt that
they shaped into bricks. These
“soddies” could last 10 years
but were dirty and damp.FRONTIER LIFE
Life on the frontier was harsh and lonely for the settlers,
many of whom lived far from any town. The whole family
had to work long hours on the land to produce enough
food to eat, and settlers found it difficult to obtain supplies.FRONTIER TOwNs
As the west was settled, new towns were built
next to railroads or at river crossings. These
towns often consisted of no more than a few
dirt roads lined with small buildings with false
fronts, to make them look grander. Most towns
had a bank, a lawyer’s office, a general store,
and a blacksmith. There were also saloons and
dancehalls where the locals and visiting
cowboys and miners could enjoy themselves.
The new towns were often rough and violent
because settlers tried to protect their families
and their property by using guns. sheriffs kept
the peace as best they could. However, they
were often powerless to prevent gunfights.THE gOLd RusH
In January 1848 the first gold fields were discovered
in California. At first, only local people prospected
(searched) for gold, but in 1849 a huge rush of
prospectors came to make their fortunes. In
1849, alone, the population of California rose
from 20,000 to more than 100,000 people.JusT OvER 100 yEARs AgO, much of the western region
of the united states was a wild and lawless place. Far from
government control in washington, the settlers in the
west made their own law. The discovery of gold and silver
made people rich overnight, providing temptation for
outlaws. gunfights were common, and life in the new
towns was often violent. Native Americans, the original
inhabitants of the area, resented the settlers and fought
many wars to protect their lands. By 1869 the railroad
had crossed the continent, and by 1890 many Native
Americans had been forced to live on reservations;
the frontier had all
but disappeared.Pan for separating
gold from rubble;
gold dust stuck to
the greasy bottom
of the pan.Find out more
Colonial america
Native americans
North america
united states of america
united states, history ofNATIvE AMERICANs
Land-hungry settlers claimed
the frontier as their own.
Their attempts to drive out
the Native Americans, who
had lived on the land for
centuries, led to
years of bitter
fighting.The Wild WesT
1836 siege of the Alamo
leads Texas to break away
from Mexico and join the
united states in 1845.1842 Thousands of settlers
begin to travel west along
the Oregon Trail to live in
the new territories.
1845-48 united states gains
California, Nevada, and
parts of utah, New Mexico,
and Arizona following a war
with Mexico.1847 Mormon settlers
establish salt Lake City,
utah.
1848 gold is discovered
in California.1849 gold rush brings many
prospectors to California.
1858 First regular
stagecoach service between
East and west coasts.1861-65 Civil war splits
nation over the issue
of slavery.
1861-90 Frequent wars
between the Native
Americans and settlers in
the Midwest.1862 Homestead Act
offers settlers 65 hectares
(160 acres) of virtually free
land on the great Plains; it
leads to the population and
cultivation of the Midwest.US_565_Western_Expansion.indd 565 12/02/16 11:19 am