history- the american west c.1840-1895

The great plain's climate 

• grassland
• low plains- East long grass
• high plains- west short grass
• further south- desert 
• varying weather- surrounding mountains produce rain shadows 
• continental climate- (far from the sea)
• west of the sierra nevada- fertile land and temperate climate (close to sea)

lifestyle of plains indians 

• orignally from north asia and first lived on the river valleys in the east
• nomadic hunter gathers- following buffalo on its seasonal migrations 
• buffalo provided: meat,skins,sinews(thread and ropes),bones,dung
• horses allowed easier to hunt and transport (increasing their power and efficiency)
• horses allowed nomadic pop to increase. as they spread out and didnt catch european diseases such as cholera and smallpox which killed…