Question

Discuss the Far West. Consider the factors that promoted the settlement of the West. Why did the unsettled West hold a strong romantic appeal for many Americans? In what ways were the romantic views compatible? Why has the Romantic vision been perpetuated in American popular culture? Given the decisions made by leaders and people shaping the development of the post Civil War South and West, how did each region differ?

Answer 1

The West was settled by homesteaders, influenced by the Homestead Act, and developed economically through railroads, cattle drives, and mining. Romantic views of the Frontier and Manifest Destiny appealed to Americans, while the mythic West often overshadowed the realities of federal policies and family efforts. Women's suffrage made greater strides in the West, hinting at more egalitarian values in these frontier communities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The settlement of the West was driven by multiple factors, notably the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided 160 acres of land to settlers willing to move west and cultivate it. Infrastructure such as railroads played a crucial role in facilitating this migration and shaping the economic dynamics of the region by enabling the cattle drive and mining sectors to flourish. The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, not only linked the continent but also transformed commerce by opening new markets and allowing for quicker and more efficient transportation of goods.

The West's romantic appeal to many Americans lay in its association with freedom, adventure, and the prospect of a better life. This allure was promoted through the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which was portrayed as America's divine right and duty to expand westward. The romanticized image of the West was filled with iconic figures like cowboys and offered a stark contrast to the East's urbanization and class struggles. These ideations led to a mythic West that emphasized the rugged individualism and the wild, untamed nature of the frontier, often overshadowing the federal government's role in promoting migration and the contributions of ordinary families.

The struggle for women's suffrage gained particular momentum in the West, with territories like Wyoming granting women the right to vote well before it became federal law. This higher level of gender equality might suggest a more egalitarian society out West compared to the rest of the nation where women's suffrage movements faced greater resistance.