Westward Expansion

1. Westward Expansion

2. Indian Territory • In the 1830s the grassy plains that were located between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains was designated as Indian Territory • In the 1840 may trails, like the Oregon trail were opened and settlers began moving west, but bypassed (traveled through) the Indian Territory. • When precious minerals are discovered in California, a mass migration of settlers move west in search on quick wealth.

3. Discovery of Gold & Silver • 1848 – Discovery of gold in California • James Marshall discovers gold while building Sutter’s Mill • 1849 – Nearly 100,000 people migrate across the Great Plains seeking wealth in California – they are the 49er’s • 1859 – Gold is discovered in Colorado • Over 100,000 people migrate across the Great Plains into Colorado • 1859 – Silver is discovered in Nevada

4. Discovery of Gold & Silver • In 1854 congress passed the Kansas –Nebraska Act of 1854 • This law opened the Indian Territory up for settlement by white farmers. • In 1862 congress passed the Homestead Act of 1862 to encourage farmers and settlers to move into the Indian Territory (Midwest)

5. The Homestead Act • Allows citizens to settle on 160 acres of unclaimed public land. • Land was free • Settlers had to live on and make improvements on the land for five year then they received the title • Homesteaders – the people who settled on the free land, built houses out of Sod - blocks of dirt and prairie grass this type of home was known as a Soddy.

6. The Homestead Act • Oklahoma Land Rush’s – 1885, 1889, and 1893 • 2 million acres of land given away • On September 16, 1893 a cannon's boom unleashed the largest land rush in American history • Approximately 100,000 settlers raced to claim 42,000 parcels of land • Sooners – people who had snuck into the land claim area before the race began • Boomers - those who had waited for the cannon's boom before rushing into the land claim Land Rush Video Clip