1. What are some of the main reasons that the federal government's policy of assimilation failed?
Part of the federal government's policy of assimilation involved setting aside land for native americans that they would be able to sell and make a profit from. However many white settlers completely ignored this and settled most of the land. The Native Americans did not make any profit from it. Also. part of assimilation meant that the Native Americans would be forced to give up their own spirituality and culture and adapt to the white way of life. Native Americans did not react well to this because their culture was extremely important to them. They were used to hunting and gathering while white people farmed. Native Americans were dependent on buffalo and white men shot huge amounts of buffalo until only one herd remained, Whites were also largely hostile toward Native Americans, with attacks like the Massacre at Sand Creek. The government had no real reason to keep its promises to Native Americans, they had been breaking deals with them for years and years.
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2. How successful were government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains? Give examples to support your answer.
The Homestead Act promised 160 acres of land out west to head of households. Railroads provided jobs for many men and some of the companies offered farmers land. The promise of free, large amounts of land drew many people out west. However the land in the west was not as fertile as other farming lands and harder to work. Hundreds of thousands of people took up the government's offers only to be disappointed with the land they received. Still many farmers were moving out there so the government's effort to settle the land were successful. But still railroads and government state agents abused the law and used the land for themselves, most of it did not go to private settlers. But then the government amped up The Homestead Act and huge flocks of people began rapidly moving to present day Oklahoma.
Think about:
Think About:
- Native Americans' way of life
- Cultural differences
- Attitude of whites toward Native Americans
- Government promises
2. How successful were government efforts to promote settlement of the Great Plains? Give examples to support your answer.
The Homestead Act promised 160 acres of land out west to head of households. Railroads provided jobs for many men and some of the companies offered farmers land. The promise of free, large amounts of land drew many people out west. However the land in the west was not as fertile as other farming lands and harder to work. Hundreds of thousands of people took up the government's offers only to be disappointed with the land they received. Still many farmers were moving out there so the government's effort to settle the land were successful. But still railroads and government state agents abused the law and used the land for themselves, most of it did not go to private settlers. But then the government amped up The Homestead Act and huge flocks of people began rapidly moving to present day Oklahoma.
Think about:
- The growth in population on the Great Plains
- The role of railroads in the economy
- The Homestead Act
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