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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Between 1877-1917, what are some of the ways that industrialization and modernization was changing America’s economy, politics, culture, and family life? this is your prompt use only sources of documents I provide. I will provide PDF of Luther Standing Bear use him as an example but don’t make the entire essay about him. talk about the US at this time mention following
Transcontinental Railroad
Homestead Act
Exodusters
Sand Creek massacre
Dawes Severalty Act
Battle of Little Big Horn
Ghost Dance Movement
Wounded Knee
Sitting Bull
William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody
Frederick Jackson Turner
Luther Standing Bear
cite the following book as well Rebecca Edwards et al, America’s History: Concise Edition, Volume 2: Since 1865, 10th edition (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2021) (Tb)
HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)
Between 1877 and 1917, the United States underwent a period of significant transformation as the nation was rapidly industrializing and modernizing. The economy, politics, culture, and family life of the country were all affected by these changes, and the experiences of various groups of people varied greatly. In this essay, we will examine some of the ways in which industrialization and modernization were changing America during this time period, using the perspectives of various historical figures and events, including the Transcontinental Railroad, Homestead Act, Exodusters, Sand Creek massacre, Dawes Severalty Act, Battle of Little Big Horn, Ghost Dance Movement, Wounded Knee, Sitting Bull, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Frederick Jackson Turner, and Luther Standing Bear.
The Transcontinental Railroad was one of the largest infrastructure projects in American history and had a profound impact on the country’s economy and transportation system. The completion of the railroad in 1869 enabled goods and people to travel more quickly and easily across the country, leading to greater economic integration and growth. However, the construction of the railroad also brought significant changes to the lives of Native American communities and the country’s western frontier.
The Homestead Act of 1862 provided settlers with 160 acres of public land in the western United States in exchange for a small fee and a promise to live on and improve the land for at least five years. This act was seen as a way to encourage westward expansion and stimulate economic growth, but it also had significant impacts on Native American communities, who saw their land and resources being taken away.
The Exodusters were African Americans who fled the South in the late 19th century to escape the harsh conditions of segregation and discrimination. Many of these Exodusters settled in Kansas and other western states, where they sought greater opportunities and freedom. The Sand Creek massacre in Colorado in 1864 was a particularly brutal example of the violence and persecution faced by Native American communities during this period of expansion and settlement.
The Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 aimed to break up the communal land ownership of Native American tribes and encourage the development of individual property ownership. While the act was intended to encourage the assimilation of Native Americans into American society, it had devastating effects on many tribes, leading to the loss of large amounts of land and resources.
The Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876 was a significant event in the history of the American West, as it marked the last major victory of the Native American tribes in their fight against the United States government. The Ghost Dance Movement, which began in 1889, was a spiritual and cultural revival among Native American communities, and was seen as a way of resisting the forced assimilation and cultural genocide being inflicted on them by the United States government. The Wounded Knee massacre in 1890 marked the end of the Ghost Dance Movement and the beginning of a new period of repression and violence against Native American communities.
William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was a prominent figure in the American West during this time period, and was known for his traveling Wild West shows, which showcased the skills and prowess of cowboys and Native American performers. Frederick Jackson Turner was an historian who is famous for his “frontier thesis,” which argued that the existence of a frontier was essential to the development of American democracy and individualism.
Finally, Luther Standing Bear was a Oglala Sioux chief who lived during this time period and wrote about his experiences and observations of the changes taking place in American society. In his writings, Standing Bear reflected on the devastating impacts of the loss of land and resources on Native American communities, and the challenges of maintaining cultural and spiritual traditions in the face of government repression and forced assimilation.
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