Question

(The trans-Mississippi West) What do you think the issues that pitted individuals and groups against each other in a manner that resorted to violent exchanges, in some cases lethal violence?

Answer 1

Violent conflicts in the trans-Mississippi West were caused by issues such as Native American land rights, slavery expansion debates, and post-Mexican-American War tensions. These disputes often turned violent, involving settlers, Native tribes, and Mexican Americans, and they were linked to broader political shifts and economic pressures of the era.

Step-by-step explanation:

The violent conflicts in the trans-Mississippi West were rooted in several social, political, and economic issues that arose during America's expansionist period. Among these issues were the encroachment on Native American lands, debates surrounding the westward expansion of slavery, and clashes between American settlers and Mexican populations following the Mexican-American War. Not only did the settlement of these territories lead to direct conflicts, but it also created circumstances that intensified racial tensions and political debates back east, influencing events like the Missouri Compromise.

Violence between settlers, Native Americans, and Mexican Americans often stemmed from competition over resources, territorial disputes, and diverging political agendas. The struggle for power and land rights during this period led to numerous battles, massacres, and wars, with several groups, including the Sioux and Apache tribes, vehemently resisting the westward push of settlers. Moreover, tensions along the border between the U.S. and Mexico, especially in the wake of the Mexican-American War, resulted in violence and bloodshed as groups such as the Texas Rangers, U.S. Army and National Guard units, and white vigilantes became involved in deadly exchanges with Mexican and Mexican American communities.

The era following the Civil War, known as Reconstruction, also contributed to internal strife and violence. Domestic disputes, like the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys, further illustrated the divisiveness and propensity for violence within certain regions. Altogether, these conflicts exemplify the array of issues that not only caused the division but also the violent confrontations that became part of the legacy of the American West.

Answer 2

In simple words, Violence has many sources, namely anger, sensitivity to violent press, aggression in the household or neighborhood, and a propensity to perceive other human actions 's behavior as offensive even though they are not. However, in grouped violence cases like riots or gang wars, political manipulation is the main reason for starting such conflicts.