The American West was a story of differing values and differing views. The Colonists felt that moving westward was part of their fate and a god given right. Ignoring all claims to their homeland the Native Americans made, the Colonists cut a path to California right through Native land. Business men proceeded to then build rails roads through the land and take the already stolen land right from the Colonists. It was a time of uneven ground, no land was truly your own, and all people continued their journey west in hopes of finding wealth. The gold rush of '59 fueled those dreams as men from all over came and built mining towns in California in the hopes of striking it rich. Most failed, as all the top soil gold was quickly mined leaving the only available gold only reachable through the use of machines. Gold was not the only valuable market to be in, but railroads as well. People took advantage of the march west and built railroads in the hopes of interconnecting the country and making the transportation of goods easier and quicker. As the white men continued to infringe on the Native's land tension quickly grew and hostilities broke out. This lead the government to send the now unemployed Civil War veterans west for the sole purpose of killing "savages." The country viewed Natives in a very poor light, and the slaughter of Custer and his men did not help to shake that image. With people going west and America expanding as a country, the population also boomed and America was thrust into a time of growing population and growing wealth. It eventually came to an end in the 1890's once the west became a well known part of the US. Sadly, before this happened, most of the Native population was slaughtered, and they still have not recovered to this day. Though the time of the West ended it still left mark on American society that we still see in media today.
"End of the Track. Near Humboldt River Canyon, Nevada." 1868, Alfred A. Hart. This photo shows a campsite at the base of a mountain, and also the start of the train tracks that cut through here. The train tracks frequently cut through people's homes and land.
"Mormon Emmigrants" 1879, C.W. Carter. Moving west was common move for many people in this time, and the Mormons did so in order to have more freedom in their religion.
"Pah-Ute Indian Group" 1872 Timothy O'Sullivan. Issues between Natives and Western settlers were a big issue
at this time. This photo shows one of the many Native tribes that would fight with
the Westerners.
at this time. This photo shows one of the many Native tribes that would fight with
the Westerners.
"Buckboard and Coaches" 1911, Manifest destiny was a huge part of this time and the settlers attempted the difficult journey while traveling in these covered wagons.
"A Scene From General Custer's Last Stand" 1877, General Custer and his men were massacred by the Natives, helping to perpetuate the stereotype of Native savagery.
"Boat crew of the "Picture" at Diamond Creek." 1871, Timothy O'Sullivan. A team of men on a surveying mission made up of both Americans and Natives.
"Mining Town of Gold Hill" 1867, Timothy O'Sullivan. Mining for gold became the focus of many men during the gold rush, and mining towns like this popped up all over the west.
"Untitled" 1870, John K. HIllers. This portrait of a Native American woman shows the typical strong nature of the Natives in the face of the American government taking their land.
"On The Wharves, San Francisco" 1900, Henry G. Peabody. Boats in the San Francisco harbor that are prepared to sail to sell goods.
"Hydraulic Gold Mining Near Virginia City" 1871, Jackson. Gold mining occurring in California was a common occurrence and seen here in this photos is hydraulic mining.
"Red Cloud and American Horse" 1891, Library of Congress. Two Indian chiefs, American Horse and Red Cloud shaking hands in a peace pact.
"Civil War Veterans" 1880. The photo shows Civil War veterans lining up in the center of a town to celebrate their services.
"Members of Clarence King's Fortieth Parallel Survey Team" 1867, Timothy O'Sullivan. Surveyor survey the western land that the newest settlers have stumbled upon.
"Inscription Rock" 1906, Timothy O'Sullivan. Found in New Mexico this was a resting place for Native Americans and other travelers.
"The Covered Wagon of The Great Western Migration" 1886. One of the many migrations following the route of Manifest Destiny. Families would travel the country some with the hopes of finding gold and others hoping to find land.
"End of the Track. Near Humboldt River Canyon, Nevada." 1868, Alfred A. Hart. This campsite set at the foot of a mountain and near train tracks found in Nevada, was for settlers gradually making their way to California.