NEW REPUBLIC
Westward Movement: 1803-1890
The Great Plains
“West” was considered west of the Mississippi River. The Homestead Act -1863 sped up settlement of these areas.
Image provided by Herbert Clark.
Greater Freedom
Free Blacks went west for greater freedom, less prejudice and better opportunities. Blacks were sheriffs, U.S. Marshalls, rodeo specialists as well as gun fighters and bank robbers.
Image provided by Herbert Clark.
Black Cowboys
500 Cowboys rode all the great cattle trails in the west.
Image provided by Herbert Clark.
Black Cavalry
Black soldiers kept the peace among the different groups moving west after the Civil War.
Image provided by Herbert Clark.
Black Goldminers
Black “Forty Niners” joined the California gold rush of 1849.
Image provided by Herbert Clark.
Founding Cities
African Americans founded cities and towns in the west for the purpose of self-help and avoiding prejudice. Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable was Chicago's first Settler.
Image provided by Herbert Clark.