Jenness 1 Roger Jenness Capt Uberti Hist 1302 Lesson 1 14 April 2011

1.

Journal entry: Compare the myth of the West and its reality. The realization of Americas Manifest Destiny was a mass migration into the Western Frontier by people in search of a better way of life. The opportunities that presented themselves outweighed the dangers people associated with the expansion into a frontier wrought with unknown dangers. This alone was worth the risk to people who either had nothing to lose, or gave up everything in search of their dreams. Westward expansion was promulgated in part by the lure of free land and the prospect of striking it rich during the Gold Rush era. Unfortunately, many people based the decision of migration on misinformation and idealism without understanding the reality of the dangers and hardships they would experience. In the middle to late 1800s the United States was still recovering from a Civil War which divided a country made up of immigrants who came in search of a more prosperous existence. Immigrating to America was a risk people took going into an unknown land, so the continued movement westward was simply a continuation of that migration. America was the land of prosperity where people could improve their standing in life through opportunities that did not present themselves in Europe where feudalism was a way of life. During this period America was a country without established law and legally defined borders where adventurous people could establish their dreams and forge a new beginning. This prospect alone was worth the risk to thousands of people who made up the mass movement into an uncertain future. Going west was a dangerous endeavor, especially in the beginning of the expansion. Only the bravest adventurers or those with nothing to lose went west. Although the West was attractive to men, very few women were involved in the initial movement. There was a limited number of

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women in the frontier as life was hard, dangerous, dirty and uncivilized, all unattractive prospects for women. Women who did go west were either attracted by the money or influenced by family fables and myths of how great life was. Ironically, in many of Hollywoods portrayals of western life, women are shown as nicely dressed women from the city, entering the dust of the Frontier by way of stagecoach. In reality, the endless strain of hard work, childbearing, and sickness, along with the fear of Indian attacks, caused most women to grow old before the age of 40. The loneliness created by the lack of social contact for long periods, often months at a time, was even worse. The vast majority of women who made the migration with their families learned to endure the hardships they faced, ensuring their future existence. This was another aspect of the American way of life, adaptation to ones circumstances. Lawlessness was also prevalent throughout the West and many people were unprepared to endure the rigors of life in this hostile environment. Because the Frontier separated the known from the unknown, people migrating west expected the fulfillment of their wishes, for either personal satisfaction, curiosity or the beginning of a new and better existence. The dangers people faced were numerous. Native American Indians, Mexican bandits and natural obstacles such as deserts and mountain ranges were hazards many migrators had not considered when they chose to move westward. Folklore was far from the realities of life on these western ranges, a myth many realized when they tried to establish a homestead in an unfamiliar environment far from the resources urban life made available in the populated region in the eastern states. As expansion progressed technology such as the establishment of a railroad system made migration easier. Resources were made readily available and life became somewhat easier to endure. With the implementation of governmental control throughout the vast expanse of the West law and order was established helping to bring an end to the mythical idealism that enticed many to

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make the migration. Life became reality and people learned to endure the hardships they faced creating a new social existence and way of life. American social development was built on ideals but had no established history at the time. If it was to survive, the country needed something to admire, to identify with and to set goals towards. America built legends and consequently found an identity through a mixture of folklore and reality. Myths made up a very small part of this reality, and although to this day many of the myths of the American West are glorified, the realities of these folk heros is far from the truth of their existence. Some facts are confirmed by history books and we therefore can accept them as they continue to live in our dreams continuing the idealism of the American way of life.
2.

Primary Sources Review: What would Andrew Carnegie have said about Bellamy's vision of a perfect society and critiques of late 19th century America? What type of Utopia might he have envisioned? Andrew Carnegie and Edward Bellamy had completely different views of the American society in which they lived. Both men published documents which implied their personal thoughts on society and the responsibilities of individuals within it. Carnegies Wealth was a manifesto on acceptance of his actions throughout his life, while Bellamys Looking Back was a novel about a utopian life for all Americans in a society where everyone was equal. The differences in their opinions are based on the authors personal perspective of society. Carnegie was a capitalist who amassed wealth through shrewd business decisions where he built his fortune on the labor provided by workers. Bellamy was a socialist working class writer who wanted a better life for his children, he believed all people should be treated equally at a time when America was growing into the most powerful industrial nation in the world. These writings were creative ways of expressing the unique views of the authors. The reader can make assumptions as to what Carnegie would have thought of Bellamy 's ideal society from

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the statements he makes in his own passage. Carnegie obviously thought Bellamys view of late nineteenth century American life was not a true representation of reality. Carnegie was a wealthy man who believed in the accumulation of personal wealth. He felt that society required separate classes of people to maintain a balance within the capitalist idealism that made America the strongest emerging country of the era. He also thought that having inequality in society was better than universal squalor which was prevalent throughout Europe. His sentiments implied that the best interests of the human race were promoted by the preponderance of wealth being in the hands of a few educated competent people. This contrasted sharply with Bellamys thoughts of leveling the playing field among all the working class by making everyone equal. Where the accumulation of wealth is discouraged, and no one has a chance to accumulate wealth due to the equality of all people was managed by a government controlled society. Bellamy believed that the government should have control over every aspect of a persons life where men and women of all races were completely equal participants within the established social structure. Carnegie on the other hand, felt that people should earn their place in life through personal effort, whether those efforts were through education or labor, they would amount to self worth. Carnegies impression of Bellamys Utopian life would create a lack of desire to improve a persons standing within society creating an apathetic attitude where everything is given to all. Later in life, Carnegie used his fortune to established endowments that would help people become more educated which he felt was the principal factor in establishing a persons standing within society. By funding the creation of Public Libraries, establishing scholarships for Universities and endowments to the Arts, Carnegie must have felt that as a philanthropist he was giving back to those who had helped him amass his fortune. He never gave direct handouts, always asserting the fact that people must help themselves. The anti-

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socialist actions Carnegie supported were something Bellamy could not fathom from his own point of view. It is difficult to say what the ideal Utopia would be to Carnegie. As his life progressed, Carnegie had the opportunity to focus his interests into philanthropy which directly benefitted everyone regardless of their stature within society. He was foremost a Capitalist, so I believe his Utopia would include hard working, educated people where the government did not decide how society would function. Where people served society at different levels within certain stages of their lives, a concept of maturation. Carnegies belief that capitalism promoted competition which helped keep society advancing is still a major factor in American society today. Individuals are compelled to perform better than they thought they could with education being the key ingredient to success. This healthy competition creates scientists, doctors, political leaders, artist and entrepreneurs of all types, who develop advancements which push our society forward for humanity as a whole and will continue to do so in the future.