the wild west (mid-late 1800s)

  • gained land from mexican american war
  • exploded post-civil war

gold rushes

  • created mass migration westward
  • brought in immigrant workers

railroad expansion

  • transcontinental railroad built by immigrant workforce
  • capitalism created developments in huge cities

missionaries

  • attempting to make native culture more ‘western’
  • promoted capitalistic and individualistic ideals
  • tried to trial natives for ‘barbaric’ violations

sand creek massacre (1864)

  • inviting native americans, forcing them to sand creek
  • colonel chivington massacred native americans with little reason
  • captain soule was against chivington’s decision, already maintained friendly relations with native american chiefs

chief seattle speech (1854)

  • american offer to purchase puget sound
  • native tribes shrinking in population
  • religious separation