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Published byDiane Maxwell Modified over 9 years ago
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Western Myths and Legacies Myths Good vs. Evil Rugged Individualism Cowboys and Gunslingers Taming the Wilderness Legacies Racial Conflict Federal Involvement Boom and Bust Conflict over Natural Resources Environmental Destruction
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Taming the Wilderness Homestead Act, 1862 “Rain follows the plow” Irrigation projects Often leads to misuse of land, soil erosion, and economic disaster
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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
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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
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Federal Involvement vs. Rugged Individualism Anglo-Indian Wars Transcontinental railroads Union-Pacific finished in 1869 Financed through federal land grants
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Railroad Land Grants
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Railroads RR’s bring 2.2 million settlers by 1900 Ads attract both Americans and Europeans RR’s also often control state governments
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Federal Involvement Mining 1872 Mining Law offers federal land at only $5.00 per acre Comstock Load yields $60,000,000 per acre Federal lands are also used for virtually free grazing and timber cutting
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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
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