Mining and Cattle Industries

This section of the chapter focuses on the economic developments that transformed the American West, particularly the growth of mining and cattle industries.

The pursuit of gold in the West initially attracted many settlers. As surface gold became scarce, the industry shifted towards more mechanized mining operations, which could only be afforded by wealthy corporations.

Definition: Ore-breaking machinery refers to the industrial equipment used to extract minerals from rock, marking the transition from individual prospecting to corporate mining.

The text highlights how the mining industry attracted population and wealth to the West, and its impact on national finance, enabling the Treasury to resume specie payments in 1879.

The cattle industry's growth is attributed to the expansion of railroads, which allowed for the transportation of beef to eastern markets. The chapter introduces the concept of the Long Drive, where cattle were herded to railroad terminals for transport.

Highlight: The organization of the cattle industry into a big business led to conflicts between cattle herders, homesteaders, and sheep herders.

The text also touches on the development of ranches and the challenges faced by farmers in the harsh western environment.

The Changing Frontier and Agricultural Revolution

The final section of the chapter examines the transformation of the American frontier and the agricultural revolution that accompanied it.

The Homestead Act of 1862 and the Westward Expansion are discussed, highlighting how this legislation allowed settlers to acquire 160 acres of land by living on it for five years and making improvements. However, the text also notes the challenges faced by farmers in the West and the fraudulent practices by some corporations.

Quote: Frederick Jackson Turner's "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" is mentioned as a seminal work analyzing the impact of the frontier on American society.

The chapter explores the mechanization of agriculture and its effects on farming practices. Farmers began focusing on single cash crops, leading to increased output but also lower prices and more debt.

Vocabulary: Deflation, the decrease in general price levels, is presented as a major concern for indebted farmers during this period.

The text discusses the formation of farmer organizations like the National Grange and the Farmers' Alliance, which sought to improve the situation of farmers and advocate for their interests.

The chapter concludes by examining the rise of the Populist party and its impact on national politics, culminating in the 1896 election between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. This election highlighted the growing class conflict between rural and urban interests, as well as debates over monetary policy and inflation.