Chapter 17

This chapter talks about the transformation of the Trans-Mississippi West. The Native Americas had a great role in this section. The transformation of the West had a great impact on the Indians and their way of life. Some changes of the west consisted of mines, settlers who took the Natives land and the federal government forced them onto reservations. The Natives tried to fight back but failed. The white families benefited on the High Plains, the development of the land and its resources threatened the environment and sometimes the settlers themselves. Hunters killed millions of bison, miners search for minerals in the mountainsides and farmers plowed up the prairie sod to build farms. The government sent troops to subjugate the Indians, promoted  the acquisition of farmland through the Homestead Act and subsidized the transcontinental railroad lines. Basically the government controls everything and the trans-Mississippi West depended  on them.  

Another key point was The Dawes Severalty Act, it sought to "civilize" Plains Indians by taking away their customs/traditions and distributing tribal lands among individual Indians. The Indians were taken advantage of and their homelands were taken from them. 

The completion of the trans-continental railroad opened the Great Plains for white settlement. The railroad brought in positive aspects to the West. It encouraged settlement in the Plains and offered loans and free transportation. The Homestead Act offered free land to people who would farm it ( i found that surprising ) however when I continued to read there were negatives to the lands. For example; they faced isolation, drought, and the perils of the commercial market. 

Reading about the Southwestern Borderlands was very interesting because it can relate to today's events. For example the violence between Anglos and Mexicans in Texas and California occurred back then and has happened today. (Immigration) Also when talking about the Spanish-speaking population. It describes how they adapt in New Mexico and Arizona. They lost their land so many became laborers. In today's society there are a wide majority of Latins who are laborers and try to make a living for themselves. Its as if History is repeating itself.