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American Old West
The American old west, from 1700 to the early 1900s, was a wild, lawless yet very interesting time, and many influences from these times can still be seen today in the modern west. Explorers, trappers, settlers, marshals, gunmen, Indians, cowboys, villains, ranchers, prospectors, businessmen and women, and multitudes of others came together to lay the foundations of Western USA. In this category, there are questions on the lives and adventures of these people.
330 Questions
Who were the spanish-speaking people who lived in the west before white settlers arrived?
The Spanish speaking people in what is now the American southwest were white colonists from Spain and later some mixed Spanish and native Mexican people (mestizos). It was a province of New Spain, what is now Mexico. Even today they speak a Spanish that is more like older version of Spanish from the 1600s and called themselves "Spanish". The first settlements were in 1598. Santa Fe dates from 1610.
The movie the cowboys with john Wayne what town were they driving 400 head of cattle to?
They were taking then to the town of Belle Fourche (pronounced "Bell Foosh") on the northwest edge of the Black Hills.
What were bartenders called in the old west?
Ganymedes was a popular term for bartenders specifically from the Old West, referring to the figure from Greek mythology who was the cupbearer to the gods.
Source: Gary Regan's "The Joy of Mixology"
What territory was claimed by Britain Russia Spain And the US?
It was the Oregon Territory, which included the present states of Oregon and Washington. In 1846 the dividing line between the US and Canada (British Columbia) was established by the Oregon Treaty, and in 1867 the US purchased Alaska from Russia.
How long did it take the Donner party to get from Missouri to Sutter's fort?
The Donner Party left Missouri in May of 1846.
The last of the victims were rescued in February of 1847.
Margaret donner in donner party?
There was a girl named Mary Donner in the Donner Party, and a woman named Margaret Reed.
Why did the Mormons have enemies?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" Church) has and has had enemies because of their unwillingness to budge on certain beliefs and practices. In the 1800's, Mormons created enemies with their practice of 'gathering'. At that time, new converts were expected to move to be near the headquarters of the church. Thus, in every city where the church established itself, large numbers of Mormons soon followed and the sudden influx of outsiders angered those who had lived there previously. The feeling that Mormons were 'taking over' their town caused many non-Mormons to persecute the Mormons until they were forced to leave. This was the case in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.Another issue in Missouri was that of slavery. Most Mormons were anti-slavery but Missouri was a slave state. Rights of slaves was a huge issue at the time, and the pro-slave Missourians were not happy with the anti-slave Mormons claiming that Missouri was their Zion promised to them by God. This extra political pressure is perhaps what caused the infamous "Missouri Mormon Extermination Order", in which the governor ordered that "Mormons should be exterminated or driven from the state".
Once the Mormons found a place they could gather in peace - modern-day Utah - the garnering of enemies didn't end. While most Native American tribes made peace with the Mormons, others were upset that the white settlers were taking over the land and fought against them. Also, having a more stable residence allowed the Mormon practice of plural marriage to expand and become more public. This brought enemies from the federal government. Laws were enacted that resulted in thousands of Mormons being stripped of their civil rights - the church was stripped of all her properties and Mormons were not allowed to vote or hold public office. Hundreds of Mormon men were taken from their families and imprisoned for upholding the tenets of their religion.
Eventually, the Mormons had to give up plural marriage or risk the dissolution of their church. The practice of 'gathering' is now more spiritual than physical, and the rights of slaves is practically a non-issue. While they were misunderstood and occasionally misaligned, the church faced a period of relative peace. However, in recent times, enemies to Mormonism and religion in general seem to have increased. Mormons have faced backlash for their defense of Biblical marriage, their all-male priesthood, and conservative moral values. Mormons have also had some of their most sacred beliefs mocked through entertainment and media. Despite all this, most Mormons agree - "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12) Mormons have enemies because the purposes of God will always frustrate the plans of the devil.
When did Wyoming and Montana become territories open for settlement?
The Homestead Act of 1862 opened up what would become Montana and Wyoming for settlement. Montana became a US Territory in 1864 and Wyoming in 1868.
Who taught the cowboys how to run cattle?
Most learned the hard way, through trial and error, but others had mentors that taught them how to know the behaviour of cattle and how to raise and herd them.
What happened to Lansford Hastings after Donner party?
After Hastings took his own shortcut, he basically led a normal life. He went on to fight in the Mexican- American war and the Civil War, where he made some pretty good accomplishments. He later lived in Brazil and died in 1870 while leading rebels in the Virgin Islands.
So, he pretty much lived an ordinary life, including getting married!
Why did Americans think cattle ranches on the great plains were not practical in the 1800s?
Americans didn't think that cattle ranches were practical on the great plains because the cattle had a hard time surviving. The great plains were dry and there was not a lot of grazing land in the 1800s.
Is the Mormon trail on of the trails for the California gold rush?
The California Trail, Mormon Trail, Oregon Trail, and other western trails followed essentially the same route for much of the journey. This is because it was the easiest and safest route and trading posts and already been set up. It was only in what is now Wyoming or Utah where the trails split off and went to their individual destinations.
Why did some westerners form vigilante committees?
Vigilante committees were formed when the westerners did not feel that the law was going to help them
What mountains did the donner party have to cross?
There was only one major mountain range that the Donner Party had to cross through. The Rocky Mountain. The Rockys caused a lot of trouble for the people going out to west. The Donner Party took off late from Independence, MO, so the Donner Party got stuck in the Rockys. That's what caused the Donner Party to become so famous and the number of people going to the west decreased dramatically. Then the Gold Rush started and the numbers went way up.
Which ideas contributed most directly to American territorial expansion westward?
The purchase of Louisiana from France apex
-Manifest Destiny
// Gold! 1849. Gold rush in california
How did custers last stand actually hurt the plains indians?
Custer's Last Stand or the Battle of the Little Bighorn was a disaster for the Plains Indian. After the battle, the US government hunted down the Native American soldiers and forced them onto reservations.
Why did the donner party happen?
The Donner party wanted to make a big fortune in California which was prosperous back then; it also encouraged by a route that was 350-400 mile shorter, but this route was not tested.
How many wagons did the Donner party have?
16 wagons were on the donner party And 87 people that were with the donner party.
Is Annie Oakley in an Ohio museum?
Annie Oakley (Pheobe Ann Moses 1860-1926) is buried in Brock Cemetery in Greenville, Ohio. Many historical items related to her are found in the Annie Oakley Center at the Garst Museum in Greenville.
