Bell RingerYou are moving to college across the country. Due to school cut-backs, your dorm room will not be furnished in any way. What are the items you will need to bring with you?

Closing the West

Conquering America'sFrontier

What is the American Dream?To nineteenth century Americans, it was a plot of land to call your own, that – through hard work – would prosper and you could pass down to your children.

The Westward Movement Americans continued to move

westward in large numbers, but proved to have lots of difficulties, hardships, and diseases.

Generally speaking, the westerners were independent, stubborn, uneducated, and individualistic and ambitious in their own way.

Emerging literature reflected these unique types of people such as Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”, James Fenimore Cooper's woodsy hero "Natty Bumpo" or Herman Melville's whale-hunting "Captain Ahab."

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a

trail.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson“To laugh often and much;To win the respect of intelligent peopleand the affection of children;To earn the appreciation of honest criticsand endure the betrayal of false friends;To appreciate beauty;To find the best in others;To leave the world a bit better,whether bya healthy child, a garden patchor a redeemed social condition;To know even one life has breathedeasier because you have lived;This is to have succeeded.”

The March of the Millions• By the mid 1800's the population continued to double every 25 years.• There were 33 states and America was the 4th largest nation in the world.• In 1790, only two cities had more than 20,000 people. By 1860, there

were 43 cities that size.• The west was growing quickly, witnessed by New Orleans and Chicago

("hog butcher for the world").• The drawback of such fast growth was poor sanitation. Later on, pipes

would bring in clean water and sewers would take out the bad.• The increase came from a high birthrate but also from immigration. • Two groups came en masse: the Irish and Germans.• The appeal of America was for land, religious freedom, safety from wars,

but mostly, just the opportunity for a better life than in Europe.

Shaping the Western Landscape• Tobacco farmers were accustomed to "land butchery" where they'd wear

out a piece of land, then just move on to find more.• "Kentucky bluegrass" began to thrive after settlers burnt off the tall cane

grass, perfect for livestock.• Fur trappers were taking a toll on the beaver population but reaping the

profits of their sales. Beaver hats had become a fashion must-have back in Europe.

• Buffalo hides also were big business and the buffalo population began to dwindle.

• Although the land was to be used, Americans respected it and noticed its beauty.

• George Catlin was an artist who painted western scenes and Native Americans. He was a first advocate of national parks and his suggestion eventually became the first national park, Yellowstone in 1872.

American West, American Football

HOME ON THE RANGE

How they got there

‘49ers Strike Gold!

Don’t work harder,Work SMARTER!

When life hands you lemons,make lemonade!

...And then SELL IT!

PIKE’S PEAK

ComstockLode

Boom town to Ghost town

Calico – A local California Ghost Town

Towns of 5,000 people sprang up almost

overnight

OUTLAWS, LAWMEN, AND ENTERTAINERS

Outlaws, Lawmen, and Entertainers

Outlaws, Lawmen, and Entertainers

Outlaws, Lawmen, and Entertainers: Gunfight at the O.K.

Corral

Wild Bill Hickok

Wild West Medicine• Medicine in the west

was primitive, at best. Doctors had little to no “clinical” training, and few materials to administer to the sick, injured, and dying. Homeopathic potions and “Indian remedies” were most common, including herb poultices, alcohol, and narcotic concoctions meant to cure a variety of “ailments”.

The Buffalo’s Replacement

Chisholm Trail – The “Long Drive”

"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their

appointed rounds"

The Pony Express