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Later developments in the West, c1876 to c1895
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By the 1890s, farming had spread across the Plains, the open range had ended, and Plains peoples had lost their way of life.
Farming, cattle and settlement
New technology helped farmers: barbed wire, wind pumps, better ploughs, and dry farming, plus hardy wheat.
The cattle industry boomed then crashed: overgrazing, falling prices and the terrible winter of 1886 to 87 killed huge numbers of cattle. Ranchers moved to smaller, fenced ranches.
Settlement continued: the Exodusters, Black Americans leaving the South, moved to Kansas in 1879; the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1893. In 1890 the government declared the frontier closed.
The cattle industry boomed then crashed: overgrazing, falling prices and the terrible winter of 1886 to 87 killed huge numbers of cattle. Ranchers moved to smaller, fenced ranches.
Settlement continued: the Exodusters, Black Americans leaving the South, moved to Kansas in 1879; the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1893. In 1890 the government declared the frontier closed.
Law, order and conflict
Sheriffs and marshals tackled outlaws: Billy the Kid was shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881; Wyatt Earp was involved in the Gunfight at the OK Corral (1881).
In the Johnson County War (1892) in Wyoming, wealthy cattle barons hired gunmen against small ranchers and homesteaders.
After gold was found in the Black Hills, war broke out. At Little Bighorn (1876) the Lakota and Cheyenne destroyed Custer's force. The army then hunted down the tribes.
At Wounded Knee (1890), the army killed many Lakota, including women and children, ending armed resistance.
In the Johnson County War (1892) in Wyoming, wealthy cattle barons hired gunmen against small ranchers and homesteaders.
After gold was found in the Black Hills, war broke out. At Little Bighorn (1876) the Lakota and Cheyenne destroyed Custer's force. The army then hunted down the tribes.
At Wounded Knee (1890), the army killed many Lakota, including women and children, ending armed resistance.
Destruction of a way of life
Hunters killed the buffalo for hides in vast numbers, partly encouraged by the army. By the late 1880s fewer than about 1,000 were left.
On reservations, Indigenous peoples depended on government rations, children were sent to boarding schools, and religious ceremonies were banned.
The Dawes Act (1887) broke up reservations into family plots and sold the 'surplus' land, aiming to make Indigenous peoples into farmers and destroy tribal life.
On reservations, Indigenous peoples depended on government rations, children were sent to boarding schools, and religious ceremonies were banned.
The Dawes Act (1887) broke up reservations into family plots and sold the 'surplus' land, aiming to make Indigenous peoples into farmers and destroy tribal life.
Explain why the buffalo were nearly wiped out.
- New tanning methods made buffalo hides valuable, so hunters killed millions.
- Railroads made it easy to reach the herds and ship hides east.
- The army supported it, because destroying the buffalo forced Plains peoples onto reservations.
Answer: Commercial hunting, the railroads and deliberate government support.
Barbed wire, wind pumps, dry farming. Winter 1886 to 87 ended the open range. Exodusters 1879, Oklahoma 1893, frontier closed 1890. Billy the Kid, OK Corral 1881, Johnson County War 1892. Little Bighorn 1876, Wounded Knee 1890. Buffalo destroyed; reservations; Dawes Act 1887.
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