The Closing of the American Frontier: Society, Culture, and the End of Westward Expansion

Westward Migration Post-Civil War: A Cultural Perspective

After the Civil War, the American tradition of pushing westward surged once again, with many seeking self-sufficiency and independence. By the late 19th century, the vast American frontier was nearly fully settled. This period of expansion was fueled by incentives such as the Homestead Act and the completion of transcontinental railroads.

The Rise of Cowboy Culture and Cattle Drives

The Great Plains became the stage for the iconic American cowboy, a romanticized figure often depicted in popular culture. Cowboys drove large herds of cattle across the plains to market, facilitated by the expansion of railroads into Kansas. However, the romantic era of open cattle drives came to an end with the widespread use of barbed wire fencing, introduced by homesteaders known as sodbusters.

Sodbusters and the Challenges of Farming

While sodbusters were lured by the promise of free government land, only a fraction actually acquired land through this method. Others purchased land from railroad companies, benefiting from government deals. Despite these opportunities, the increasing mechanization of agriculture led to the consolidation of many small farms into larger agricultural businesses.

The Significance of the Frontier's Closure

In 1890, the U.S. Census Bureau declared the frontier settled, especially after the opening of the Oklahoma territory, previously designated as Indian Territory. This led to Fredrick Jackson Turner's 1893 essay, The Significance of the Frontier in American History. Turner expressed concern that the loss of the frontier might lead to class conflicts and a loss of the democratizing force that the West represented.

Native American Hardships and Resistance

Westward expansion was not a tale of uninhabited lands being settled, but rather a history of displacement and hardship for Native American populations. The federal government's solution to the 'Indian problem' was the reservation system, confining Indian populations to designated lands. The decimation of buffalo herds and the pressure from settlers and the U.S. Army led to Indian capitulation.

The Dawes Act and Assimilationist Policies

The Dawes Act of 1887 marked a significant shift in policy, allotting reservation lands to individual Indians for farming and offering American citizenship in exchange for assimilation. This act was part of a larger movement aimed at eradicating distinct Indian cultures through education, vocational training, and Christianization.

The Ghost Dance Movement and the End of Resistance

The Ghost Dance Movement, a spiritual resistance movement, promised that ritualistic dances would bring about the return of ancestors and the removal of white settlers. However, the movement's spread was cut short by the tragic Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, where a failed attempt to disarm Lakota Indians resulted in the death of over 200 individuals, effectively ending the period of Indian resistance.

Conclusion

The settlement of the West post-Civil War was a complex tapestry of cultural evolution, technological advancement, and societal conflict. While it marked the end of the frontier as Americans knew it, it also signaled a period of profound transformation for both settlers and Native American tribes. The legacy of this era continues to shape American identity and its historical narrative.

If you're seeking a deeper understanding of this pivotal time in U.S. history, or need assistance in acing your AP U.S. History curriculum, you can watch the full discussion in Heimler’s History video here.