|
The United States' quest for the New Frontier
|
| Sculpture - Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody Wyoming (R. Long) |
Workers expanding the railroad westward.
The United States continues to expand westward. The U.S. government believes in Manifest Destiny, a quest for continued westward expansion.
This meant that United
States should expand
over the entire Western continent. Railroads are being constructed west of the Mississippi River. Forts and trading post are also being constructed on the plains. Settlers are following
gold rushes in Colorado,
California, and Montana and at the same time, invading Native American lands, killing
buffalo by the thousands for fun and sport. They also brought cattle that grazed on Indian Territory
A trail of covered wagons heading west.
|
Fort Collins Colorado- 1865
The settlers and miners also brought diseases that the Indians had no immunities to, such as smallpox. In some cases,
smallpox was spread intentionally by trading infected blankets in order to kill Indian populations. Railroad towns, settlements,
and wagon train parties were being raided by the Native Americans at this time. Both sides are competing for resources of
the plains.
|
|
