Pearson EDEXCEL GCSE (9-1) History Option P3: The American West, c1835–c1895

Option P3: The American West, c1835–c1895

Key topic 1: The early settlement of the West, c1835–c1862

Key topic 2: Development of the plains, c1862–c1876

Key topic 3: Conflicts and conquest, c1876–c1895

The Plains Indians: their beliefs and way of life

Migration and early settlement

Conflict and tension

The development of settlement in the West

Ranching and the cattle industry

Changes in the way of life of the Plains Indians

Changes in farming, the cattle industry and settlement

Conflict and tension

The Plains Indians: the destruction of their way of life

Social and tribal structures, ways of life and means of survival on the Plains.

Beliefs about land and nature and attitudes to war and property.

The factors encouraging migration, including the Oregon Trail from 1836, the belief in Manifest Destiny, and the California Gold Rush of 1849.

Early migration to c1850, including the experiences of the Donner Party and the Mormon migration, 1846–47.

The development and problems of white settlement.

Reasons for tension with Plains Indians, including US government policy and the Permanent Indian Frontier. The significance of the first Fort Laramie Treaty (1851). The Indian Appropriations Act (1851).

Lawlessness in early towns and settlements, including attempts to tackle lawlessness.

The significance of the railroads; the Pacific Railroad Act (1862) and the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad (1869) and the spread of the railroad network.

The impact of the Homestead Act (1862). Attempts at solutions to problems faced by homesteaders: the use of new methods and new technology; the impact of the Timber Culture Act (1873).

Introducing law and order in settlements, including the roles of law officers and increases in federal government influence.

The cattle industry and factors in its growth, including the roles of Iliff, McCoy and Goodnight, the significance of Abilene and of the increasing use of the railroad network.

The changing role of the cowboy, including changes in ranching. Relations between ranchers and homesteaders.

The impact of railroads, the cattle industry and gold prospecting on the Plains Indians

The impact of US government policy towards the Plains Indians, including the continued use of reservations. The second Fort Laramie Treaty (1868).

Conflict with the Plains Indians: Little Crow’s War (1862) and the Sand Creek Massacre (1864), the significance of Red Cloud’s War (1866–68).

Changes in farming: the impact of new technology and new farming methods.

Changes in the cattle industry, including the impact of the winter of 1886–87. The significance of changes in the nature of ranching. The end of the open range.

Continued settlement: the Exoduster movement and Kansas (1879), the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1893. The closure of the Indian Frontier.

Dealing with law and order, including sheriffs and marshals, including the significance of Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, the OK Corral (1881).

The range wars, including the Johnson County War of 1892

Conflict with the Plains Indians: the Battle of the Little Big Horn (1876) and its impact; the Wounded Knee Massacre (1890).

The hunting and extermination of the buffalo

The Plains Indians' life on the reservations

The significance of changing government attitudes to the Plains Indians, including the Dawes Act (1887).