Turn of the Century

TURN OF THE

CENTURY

STANDARD: SS5H3 The student will describe how life changed

in America at the turn of the century. a. Describe the role of the cattle trails in the late 19th

century; include the Black Cowboys of Texas, the Great Western Cattle Trail, and the Chisholm Trail.

b. Describe the impact on American life of the Wright brothers (flight), George Washington Carver (science), Alexander Graham Bell (communication), and Thomas Edison (electricity).

c. Explain how William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt expanded America’s role in the world; include the Spanish-American War and the building of the Panama Canal.

d. Describe the reasons people emigrated to the United States, from where they emigrated, and where they settled.

e. Describe the impact of westward expansion on Native Americans; include the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the relocation of Native Americans to reservations.

CATTLE TRAILS (STARTED IN TEXAS) Cowhands led cattle to railroads, where the

cattle were shipped to eastern and northern cities.

CATTLE TRAILS:

SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF CATTLE Cattle Prices:

Texas= $4.oo each East and North= $40.oo each

Cattle Demand People wanted cattle for beef and leather

Cattle Supply The supply of cattle was plentiful in Texas

Supply= High in Texas Supply= Low in east and north

Cattle Demand: The demand of cattle;

Demand= Low in Texas Demand= High in east and north

THE BLACK COWBOYS OF TEXAS: Vaqueros- Mexican cowhands Many cowhands were African-Americans or Mexicans

Cowhands slept on the ground wrapped in blankets They took turns guarding the cattle from other animals

and thieves Cowhands became exhausted over the course of the

cattle drives Cattle drives lasted 20 years Barbed Wire was invented

It was twisted wire with a sharp barb, or point, every few inches

Barbed wire blocked the cattle trails that crossed the Great Plains

IMPACT ON AMERICAN LIFE (FLIGHT): The Wright Brothers:

First in flight (airplane): Occurred in Kitty Hawk, NC

Two brothers made their dream of flight come true. After years of persistence and determination, they built and flew the first practical airplane.

It showed Americans that flying was possible Charles Lindbergh- First person to fly alone across

the Atlantic Ocean

IMPACT ON AMERICAN LIFE (SCIENCE): George Washington Carver:

He worked at the Tuskegee Institute for more than 40 years.

He invented new products that could be made from common crops.

He invented over 300 products made from peanuts: Peanut butter, peanut cheese, peanut milk

Cavers inventions helped farmers across the South.

IMPACT ON AMERICANS (COMMUNICATION): Alexander Graham Bell:

Invented the telephone in 1876 People in large buildings used the telephone to

talk to people on other floors. People at home used the telephone to talk to

friends and relatives miles away.

IMPACT ON AMERICANS (ELECTRICITY): Thomas Edison:

He invented many electric devices, including the light bulb (1879). People worked longer hours and businesses were able

to stay open after dark. The light bulb made it easier to read books and engage

in other activities after dark Electric lights were brighter than gaslights, and they

could be placed in a room. When homes were wired for electric lights, new

inventions such as the toaster and refrigerator began to be widely used.

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR After the United States added Hawaii and Alaska as new

territories, the US showed the world how powerful it was becoming. Some American leaders wanted more They believed in imperialism

Building a nation’s empire by adding colonies in other parts of the world. Spain’s Empire:

Spain controlled only Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippine Islands

Cubans revolted against Spain and American newspapers wrote about Spain’s cruel treatment during the revolt.

This is called Yellow Journalism- exaggerated news US conflict with Spain

1898- US Maine exploded in Havana harbor, Cuba American newspapers blamed Spain President William McKinley declared war on Spain Theodore Roosevelt helped fight the war against Spain Spain Surrendered

AFTER WAR PEACE AGREEMENT: Spain gave the US territories:

Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines Cuba became independent

McKinley

Important People: President McKinley declared war on Spain Theodore Roosevelt

Supported American imperialism, so he quit his job as assistant secretary of the US, and formed a volunteer fighting group called THE ROUGH RIDERS

• Theodore Roosevelt

NATIVE AMERICANS AND WESTWARD EXPANSION United States government officials tried to convince

Plains Indians to sell land and move to reservations Reservations- land that the government set aside for

American Indians Plains Indians did not want to live on reservations.

The Indians thought they were too small and far away. They also didn’t want to become farmers because they were

nomadic. Plains Indians fought soldiers who tried to force them

onto reservations. Battle of Little Bighorn:

An example of how American Indians fought efforts to move them on reservations

All US soldiers were killed American Indians led by Crazy Horse, Gall, and Sitting Bull

won the battle.

PANAMA CANAL After the Spanish-American war, Theodore

Roosevelt became president. He decided to build a canal: Panama Canal:

It linked the Atlantic and Pacific ocean. It made the trip around the tip of South America

shorter, faster, and less expensive. The canal took 10 years to complete

IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA Reasons for Immigrants came to America

People were looking for work Escape Persecution (unfair treatment or punishment) Greater political freedom

Immigrants were from Asia and Europe Immigration Stations:

Ellis Island (New York) Angel Island (San Francisco Bay, CA):

A large number of Asians moved to the US. About 25% were not allowed in the country, and they had to return

home. Doctors examined the immigrants to be sure they

didn’t have diseases that could spread to others Asians faced more prejudice than European immigrants

IMMIGRANTS SETTLE IN AMERICA Many immigrants settled in cities (around their

own ethnic group) Tenements: a poorly built apartment building

Many immigrants settled in tenement buildings Tenements were crowded and unsafe

Jobs Many immigrants worked in dangerous steel mills

(Pittsburgh= steel city) They worked in noisy and dirty factories They worked for long hours and low pay