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