Taming the Wild West - Essay Example

Taming the Wild West Introduction America went through a tough moment before it attained independence from the Europeans. The Europeans controlled most of the resources and deprived the Native Americans off most of their rights. The British were the most powerful of all the European colonies in the United State. This power made them control all other 13 colonies as well as the Caribbean Islands. Population in the country was mainly concentrated in along the Atlantic coastal areas, a factor that gave the British a better way of controlling it (Lecture notes 2). The Indians mainly lived in the west, which was vast comprising of the Appalachian and all the way to the Pacific. Indians had claimed this land and used it mainly for hunting as their main economic activity (Filson p 21). The Germans and the Scotts-Irish settlers later arrived in Philadelphia in search of unclaimed lands and settled near Appalachian, which consisted part of the land claimed by the Indians. There was no conflict since the relationship between the settlers and the Indians was mutual in the sense that the Scotts-Irish traded with Indians and adopted some hunting styles. As time went by, the Trans-Appalachian developed to become a frontier of three empires, which comprised of the Iroquois confederacy, French, and Indians. The British seemed to hardly be satisfied by this settlement and decided to start war with French troops in order to control French expansion in some key areas like Fort Duquesne (Filson p 22). Virginia on the other hand created an armed regiment of provincial regulators in order to attack Braddock’s British regulators that raided Indian country. The Indians held their position that the land belonged to them and had the right to prevent any foreign settlements. The war saw the French prevailing finally but the Indian allies never stopped to claim their land and continued attacking British soldiers (Filson p 45). Comparison between Kit Carson and Daniel Boone Daniel Boone had initiated several hunting trips to Eastern Kentucky from 1768 and later decides to land his family in North Carolina through Cumberland Gap before becoming a military officer. He was an American militant officer during the American revolutionary war. Like Kit Carson, he was a frontier and a great fighter who helped the Americans fight against the British. At one time, he was parallel to the Indians fighting against the British but he later joined the Europeans to help in protecting their territories based in Virginia. Kit Carson was also an American fighter and a frontiersman (Abbott 31). He was an Indian fighter against the Europeans and their settlements in America. His territory became the West after he had left home at a tender age to become a mountain man as well as a trapper in the West. Both Carson and Boone were couriers and scouts aiding the Americans but Boone joined the British troops later to protect their territories. Boone fought in various battles including the Blue Licks Battle. He has remained legend of his lifetime and become famous in both Europe and America. He became a key subject of heroic tales as well as a major icon in fiction works. On the other hand, Carson fought in various wars as well but he was ever on the American side. His reaction against the Indians was peaceful. He was unable to read and write but he climbed to high military ranks becoming the first American military man of the same category. Like Boone, he has remained a key icon of history but is mainly used by novelists, biographers, and historians (Abbot p 34). The west during the 1750s and 1760s The 1950s was faced with a growing pressure from settlers who wanted to take control of the virgin lands in the west (Lecture Notes 2). In 1759, the British colonial troops were successful in invading and capturing Canada. They succeeded in acquiring all French North America and defeating all French forces (Lecture notes 2). This success made Britain become the greatest empire in the world. Washington was among the first states to resist the British and managed to acquire the Western lands. The states began disobeying British commands, an action that forced Britain to implement new tax laws in order to control the expanding American influence in the west. Conversely, Americans resisted the British in various ways including protests, boycotts, as well as petitions thereby leading to Pontiac’s rebellion (Filson p 67). To avoid adverse problems, George III decided to appease the Indians in 1763 by banning White settlers in Appalachian and creating a reserve for Indians but American colonists were outraged by this move. The outrage resulted to the Conestoga Massacre that demonstrated that the East lacked control over settlers. The Treaty of Fort Stanwix was then signed in 1768 to open some Trans-Appalachian lands to white settlers and Iroquois ceded part of Pennsylvania and Kentucky (Filson p 77). Jeffersonian West Jefferson was elected the United States President in 1800 and believed in a republic that could avoid tyranny and anarchy. He wanted to uplift the citizens from poverty and make bonded servants attain middle-class status of property owners in which case, small farmers would have the opportunity to participate in political decisions rather than following the will of their masters (Lecture 3 notes). Jefferson administration encouraged the Indians to sell their excess land to the Congress at cheaper prices in order to allow immigrants and new generations to engage in small-scale farming (Lecture 3 notes). Jefferson persuaded the Indians to give up hunting and instead take up small-scale farming since the available land could not sustain hunting (Filson p 91). New Orleans and purchase of Louisiana territory Some Europeans were still taking control of major US sector by the end of the 18th century. Spain was among these Europeans, and in 1798, it banned American farmers from utilizing New Orleans port. This action made it difficult for Americans to move their farm products to the market. This move made it even more difficult for the American farmers to settle to the West. Jefferson feared that Western states could secede from the Union and gain free use of Mississippi (Lecture 3 notes). He countered this threat by sending diplomats to offer Napoleon $10 million for the Port of New Orleans. Napoleon accepted the offer but at a higher bid and decided to offer Jefferson the entire Louisiana territory at a cost of $ 15 million in 1803. The purchase of Louisiana territory turned the entire Continental US in to an empire of liberty since citizens could freely use the Mississippi and New Orleans port. Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to spear a military expedition in Louisiana territory thus leading to cordial relations with Great Plains Indians and establishing sovereignty authority in the West (Filson p 97). The troops later departed Illinois Country in 1804 through Missouri River heading to Columbia River and proved there was no passage to the Pacific (Filson p 101). On their way, the Corps encountered several Indian tribes such as the Shoshone and the Mandan leading to several confrontations that were not bloody. In the same year, French trapper Toussaint and his Indian wife started making several translations thus facilitating warm relations with Indians (Filson p 110). Again, Toussaint discovered several scientific species including Pronghorn antelope. After their return to St. Louis in late 1806, the Corps brought several scientific specimens, records, and maps that informed Americans about the Trans-Mississippi (Filson p117). Jackson’s frontier Jefferson’s small farm ideology thrived in the Western States. Jackson had lost his parents in the revolution and believed in frontier justice (Filson p 120). He almost died during a gunfight with Thomas Hart Benton and Tennessee decided to send him to Congressmen. White settlers demanded for land in the Western States thus forcing the federal and state governments to pressurize the Indians in order to gain some territory. Although Cherokees considered the option of migration in 1808, Warrior Ridge convinced them to remain civilized and adopt European manners (Filson p 121). The North-West Indians decided to reject the American cultural influence and believed that only Union of the Trans-Appalachian could protect their independence and their right of land. The Upper Towns were later engaged in anti-US wars while the lower towns supported the US- White Sticks, but the US soldiers later defeated the Confederated Indians in 1811 (Filson p 132). Regaining of Trans-Appalachia After the loss of Trans-Appalachian, President Madison faced increased aggression from Britain since US ships were attacked severally. Britain was constantly fighting against the Americans and encouraged the Indian rebels to attack the American settlers in the West region according to Filson (p 134). According to Abbott, young politicians like Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay demanded declaration of war against Britain (p 41). The Congress eventually declared the War, but the US faced numerous challenges since Britain and Indian rebels managed to capture Fort Detroit (Filson p 87). However, the US regained Trans-Appalachian later in the year after the battle of Lake Erie that established US command in Great Lakes region thus facilitating the recapture of Fort Detroit. Jackson’s Indian allies and Tennessee militia killed a majority of Red Sticks in 1814 and the vast lands occupied by Indians in West of Mississippi came under the control of the US. Britain tried to capture New Orleans in 1815, but President Jackson troops including Indian allies resisted fiercely resulting to several Britain casualties. The battle secured US control of Mississippi River and improved Jackson’s popularity (Filson p 92). Renaissance and removal The abolishment of stringent voting requirements by some states in 1820 enabled the Western politicians to challenge the Eastern establishment in national politics (Abbott p 100). Although Jackson managed to win the popularity vote in 1824 Presidential elections, he lost the presidential vote to John Quincy Adams, but regained the presidency in 1828 after mobilizing the poor whites. However, Boudinot and Ridge later signed the New Echota Treaty that moved the Cherokees. Mexico encouraged many Americans to settle in Texas province after independence. Abbott points out that several Mexican states revolted against dictatorial leadership of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ann thus leading to several battles in Texas with Texan militia fighting against Mexican regulators (p 103). The Indian tribes in Rocky Mountains would trade in fur. Mountain men like Jim Bridger and John Colter explored Far West and survived Indian Hunters and French trappers (Lecture 4 Notes). These men were fraternized with Indian women and could not be distinguished based on dressing or religion. The frontier individuals remained agents of eastern establishment with many working in fur companies (Abbott p 154). The decline of beaver population in the Mountains led to led to decline in beaver hats demand in Europe and trappers had to act as scouts for pioneers and soldiers. Men like Kit Carson who hunted over Mississippi West saved John Fremont who had been send by US government to survey the Rockies. Carson and Fremont provided helpful information on the migration to Far West (Abbott p 162). Later, European pioneers headed to new Northwest from St. Louis through Santa Fe Trail and Oregon Trail. Pioneers experienced torture, murder, and rape by Indians in Southwest, but kept increasing in the number of population. Accordingly, Indians in New northwest experienced small pox diseases and drastically reduced in number and had to use guns and horses in order to expand to Iowa (Abbott p 174). Texas Revolution and the Mexican War The Mexican War was sparked by Jackson’s annexation of Texas from Mexico thus forcing Fremont and Carson to join the War in 1846 (Abbott p 181). Mexican troops finally lost the war and 1700 U.S soldiers finally captured New Southwest. American troops marched to Mexico City forcing Mexico government to sign a treaty that granted the US claim on Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California, and Texas in a settlement of $ 15 million (Abbott p 180). The treaty led to increased white settlement in West Coast and in the Great Plains due to the issue of adventure for gold in California (Abbott p 189). Towns like San Francisco experienced high number of immigrants from countries such as Australia due to discovery of gold in 1848. The northern states wanted the new states to remain ‘free soil’ while the southern states demanded the new states must be slavery states. The political disagreements on the freedom of new states led to Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 whereby Western territory states would have a popular vote on whether to remain Free states or slavery states (Abbott p 194). Abbott and Filson Attitude towards the Indians In their writings, both Abbot and Filson have varying views and feelings towards the Indians although their writings portray some significant similarities. Filson creates an image of discovery, settlement, purchase, and the land of Kentucky. He portrays the Indians as adventurous in his attempt to talk of the “Dark and Bloody Grounds” as a dark area but of adventure. Immigration is portrayed by Filson as adventurous and aimed to looks for better lives through better opportunities and settlements. Settlers wanted to settle in their best way possible especially in areas characterized by beauties. They seemed to term Indian settled lands as undiscovered land and tried to claim it from the Indians. Abbott on the other hand views the Indians as violent and tends to favor the invention of the British Settlers and violence in America. According to him, Carson’s action of moving from the Indian troops to help in protecting the British settlements was a great action. He highly talks of Carson’s greatness. Conclusion Abbott and Filson view the Indians as having the right to have fought for their lands but they differ in the way talk of the immigration and the Europeans in America. British Americans initiated high immigration due to their need of cheap land and increased political liberty such as the right to vote according to Filson but Abbott finds the immigration as driven by malevolence motives. Their immigration was meant to better their lives but the British started attacking Indians tribes due to various conflicts resulting from land ownership and human rights resulting to numerous massacres in Virginia. The French were strong and managed to secure the allegiance of Indians through the provision of gifts to Indian chiefs and later Ottawa Chief Pontiac urged the Indians to join the French and revolt against Britain. Some people were strong such as Daniel Boone and Kit Carson who extensively practiced hunting. Carson was keen with the provision of information to the US government concerning the West but Boone wanted to settle his family and make it safe as much as possible. Carson’s interest was on the West while that of Boone was on North Carolina. Through their varying efforts, in settling family and providing information for Boone and Carson respectively, they portrayed their heroism to American. The Indians had to fight back to secure their rights. They found out that the best way to make life possible was to attack the Europeans like the British forces in Fort Detroit. The conflicts and wars contributed to the American revolution after which, Britain in the treaty of Paris agreed to cede the Appalachian to Indian allies in 1783. Spain in contrast refused to grant the US farmers New Orleans forcing Jefferson to plan the Western separatism. Works cited: Abbott, John. Christopher Carson. London: Echo. 2007. Filson, John. The Adventures of Daniel Boone: the discovery, settlement, and present State of Kentucky. New York: Cosimo Inc. 2010. Lecture 2 notes. The west in 1750, the French and Indian War, and the Proclamation line. Lecture 3 notes. The Jeffersonian West, Losing Trans-Appalachia, and Regaining Trans- Appalachia. Lecture 4 notes. Taming the Wild West Read More