Chapter 18 Summary

Natalie Rosewag

1/5/15

Mod 1B

Chapter 18 Summary

        The surviving tribes adapted to changing conditions. Plains Indians learned to ride horses and use guns. Treaties with the federal government were often ignored by states. Reservations intended that Indians learn English, convert to Christianity, and start farming. Slaughter of buffalo encouraged in order to hopefully assimilate Indians, railways also killed buffalos. 

        In Colorado, the governor terminated all treaties and ordered raids into Indian Territory. The Sioux fought the US Army to a stalement and had the Great Sioux Reservation created for them (although this did not mean peace). The discovery of gold forced the government to try to reclaim the land.

 Western labor movements began in these mining camps as a response to dangerous working conditions and soon became powerful forces. Western expansion fostered the growth of new unstable commercial cities. The Mormons had fled New York and eventually formed an independent state in Utah. The federal government declared the Mormons rebels and sent in the army. The Edmunds Act disfranchised people who believed in polygamy. 

Most Mexicans did work outside the commercial economy working for subsistence. With railroad and the arrival of big business they became the first migrant workers. Mexicans were able to preserve their culture and religion.