western myths and legacies myths good vs. evil rugged individualism cowboys and gunslingers ...
TRANSCRIPT
Western Myths and Legacies
MythsGood vs. EvilRugged IndividualismCowboys and
GunslingersTaming the Wilderness
LegaciesRacial Conflict Federal InvolvementBoom and BustConflict over Natural
ResourcesEnvironmental
Destruction
Taming the Wilderness
Homestead Act, 1862 “Rain follows the
plow” Irrigation projects Often leads to misuse
of land, soil erosion, and economic disaster
Obstacles for Farmers Environment Railroads Oversupply
1860 wheat sells for $1.60 per bushel 1890 wheat sells for $0.49 per bushel
Mechanized farming McCormick reaper, John Deere tractors and plows, combine
harvesters, etc. Debt and Foreclosures
1860 75% of American farmers own their own land 1890 63% of American farmers own their own land
Racial Conflict American Indians Chicanos
US-Mexico War and Aftermath
Zoot Suit Riots during WWII Asians
Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882 Japanese Internment during
World War II
Federal Involvement vs. Rugged Individualism
Anglo-Indian Wars Transcontinental railroads
Union-Pacific finished in 1869Financed through federal land grants
Railroad Land Grants
Railroads
RR’s bring 2.2 million settlers by 1900
Ads attract both Americans and Europeans
RR’s also often control state governments
Federal Involvement
Mining1872 Mining Law offers federal land at only $5.00 per
acreComstock Load yields $60,000,000 per acre
Federal lands are also used for virtually free grazing and timber cutting
Boom and Bust Economics Mining industry
Virginia City, Nevada founded in 1859 population swells to 20,000 by 1873 (131 saloons) Population less than 4,000 by 1900 Leaves great environmental damage
Cattle industry Profits run 25% to 50% in the 1870s 4.5 million head of cattle by 1885 1886 blizzards drop temperatures to –68F and create snow drifts
as deep as 30 feet Kills up to 90% of herds
Oil, mining, waste disposal, & timber industries are similar today