Native Americans
By Jordyn Gritzmacher
When?
1807 to 1912
Where?
Areas of the Great Plains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Basin areas.
Why?
People rushed towards the west mainly during the California Gold Rush.
How Were They Treated?
- Native Americans were treated very badly because they were known as outsiders.
- Many people despised the Native Americans.
- Yet the Native Americans were the people who greeted them onto their land.
- They did not even consider a fight or even think that they would be driven out of their homelands.
- They were one of the founding people or groups on the Americas.
How did the Westward Expansion affect the Native Americans?
- The Westward Expansion made Native Americans move to another place that they did not like.
- The Westward Expansion was a very violent confrontation.
- The Indian Removal Act forced the Native Americans to move onto reservations, and their children were taken and forced to abandon religion, culture, and region.
American History HD - Westward - History Channel Documentary Part 1
What caused the West Ward expansion?
- The beginning of westward expansion happened relatively early on in the history of the United States with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803.
- Many people went to the west to try farming or homesteading
Buffalo
- The buffalo was so important to the Native Americans
- Provided food
- Their bones were carved to make knifes and boiled to make glue
- Skin/fur was used to make clothes, bedding, blankets, and water-bags
- Used them to perform rituals
Why did Native Americans move west?
- People wanted to go west because they sought the opportunity to own land and to make money.
- Native Americans moved west because they were pushed from their homelands.
- Yet many young men moved west for the thrill and adventure