Agricultural Settlers and the Great Plains - Essay Example

History 102 Final Exam Agricultural Settlers and the Great Plains The Great Plains is a vast region that extends from the Canadian prairies through the United States. Agriculture is the dominant activity in this region. The use of land has affected the environmental sustainability of the land, which in turn affects the economic viability of farming (Adamson, 1998 p33). Settlers were attracted to this region to improve their economic position, and by the opportunity to own land. Most of the first settlers on the land left because they could not comply with the federal government policy. They were unable to live on the land without starving for three consecutive years (Adamson, 1998 p37). Those who remained in the region supplemented their farming income from railway construction and other economic activities. These settlers who remained exhibited their abilities to adapt to the local environment (Adamson, 1998 p39). The sustainability of grain farming was of doubt due to the frequent droughts that were experienced in this region. Sometimes the areas received low crop yield that was not enough to support life. Farmers, therefore, recognized the need to let the land to lie fallow for some time. During this period, livestock farming became dominant activity on the land (Adamson, 1998 p63). Depending on the settlers’ activities on the land, they grouped themselves into: Indians of the Great Plains; Wagon Trains, Railroads, and Ranchers; The Cattle Kingdom; Mythic West and Buffalo Bill; Homesteaders; and the Tribal Cultures such as Wounded Knees and the Ghost Dance (Adamson, 1998 p55). For example, the cattle Kingdom comprised of Cattle Towns and the Cowboys lifestyle was the culture in this region. In summary, Great Plains is a region that is dominated by agricultural activities, both crop and animal farming. Earlier settlers came into this region by the opportunity to acquire land, and to practice agriculture as a source of income. Settlers in this region are characterized by the type of economic activity they practice on the land. For example, there are ranchers, Indians, The Cattle Kingdom and Homesteaders. Paris Peace Conference, 1919 The Paris Peace Conference is the meeting that was held to sign peace deals with defeated nations after World War 1. It was held in Paris France in 1919, and attended by delegates from more than twenty-nine nations (Adamson, 1998 p105). The key leaders and Nations which led this meeting include; Prime Minister David Lloyd George of Great Britain, President Woodrow Wilson of the United States, George Clemenceau of France, and Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando of Italy (Adamson, 1998 p106). Other countries in attendant include China, Canada, Ukraine, and Australia. Orlando ultimately pulled out of the conference. He, therefore, did not participate in drafting the final draft of the treaty of Versailles (Adamson, 1998 p106). The Soviet Union, Communist Russia and Germany were not invited to attend the conference; however, several other nations sent delegates to represent them in the conference. This group included Prime Ministers, Kings, Foreign Ministers and Government Chief Advisors (Adamson, 1998 p110). The Peace Conference led to the rise of new Nations such as Czechoslovakia (curved from Sudeten Mountains region); the cities of Malmedy and Eupen were given to Belgium; Poland (curved from Prussia) and Yugoslavia. Germany’s Africa colonies were shared between French and British. Japan obtained all colonies in the Pacific. The city of Danzig was given to the League of Nations (Adamson, 1998 p115). There are several mandates that were created during the Peace Conference. These include Germany must pay all its outstanding debts, including the entire Belgian war debt; Prime Minister Billy Hughes received a class C mandate for New Guinea, Germany’s was to lose all her Africa colonies, and these colonies were to be shared between France and Britain (Adamson, 1998 p115). In summary, Paris Peace Conference was attended by delegates from different parts of the world. It legally marked the end of World War 1, it led to the creation of League of Nations, it checked the spread of communism globally, new nations and mandates were created, and war prisoners were eventually released in 1919. This conference also made Germany become a revisionist power. The 1950s The 1950s is considered as a time of the nuclear family and things like hula hoop. During this time, people talked the same, acted the same, and dressed the same. Majority of people perceived the 1950s as an idyllic time of conformity. All families chose themselves to work for their country, and look out for communists. The 1950s was, therefore, exclusively a time of cultural conformation. Common culture was set, and anyone who deviated from the cultural norms was considered as a threat to society. People were on the lookout for communist, and any terror attack suspected or witnessed, was responded to by mass conformity (Adamson, 1998 p16). Nobody wished to lose a relative or a friend, and this is what made them work together. In addition, nobody wanted to work differently with others because they may end up being accused as the enemies of the country. The Americans also realized that the government was rushing them into the Cold War. This required them to keep aside their differences, and stay together in order to work for a common goal. Everybody was aware that conformity was the only way of winning a battle and protecting the country (Adamson, 1998 p24). They also believed anyone who was acting differently from the rest was a member of Soviet Union. Such people were perceived as the enemies of the country. In 1950s, it was believed that a nuclear or traditional family was the only safe and healthy environment, under which children could be brought up. The dream houses were also to be equipped with household equipment with the latest technologies (Adamson, 1998 p80). This was meant to save the housewives from working tirelessly while their husbands are at work. This dream was welcomed by everyone, and everybody was to conform to it. In summary 1950s was a period of cultural conformity. This is evident from the manner in which people talked the same, acted the same and dressed the same. The Americans also wanted to get united, in preparation for Cold War, so as to eliminate communists amongst them. Most people viewed 1950s as a period of both social and cultural conformity with small deviants coming up once in a while. End of Cold War The factors that led to the end of Cold War were pioneered by Ronald Reagan. The main factors are those that destabilized Soviet economy after an expensive weaponry race (Adamson, 1998 p137). Gorbachev thought he reformed Soviet economy through his “perestrojka” policy. However, this led to the complete fall of the economy. The Soviet Union also lost a strong control of their satellite states in Eastern Europe (Adamson, 1998 p163). Later on, the wall came down in Berlin, marking the end of the cold war. The amendments done on political and economic policies by Gorbachev significantly destabilized Soviet economy. The declining economy reduced the government’s ability of central planning when responding to global economic changes (Adamson, 1998 p119). Stalin created a command economy that stressed heavily on smoke stat and manufacturing industries, which made the economy highly inflexible (Adamson, 1998 p124). Regan’s unusual military spending tactics were also a key factor for the end of Cold War. As much as America was in a war, Regan successfully balanced resources to every government’s departments. He was extremely careful not to spend too many resources in managing the war (Adamson, 1998 p98). Unlike Regan, Soviet Union spent too much money in the defense force more than other departments like health. This made healthcare deteriorate, and the number of deaths increased. The Western Policy of containment made Soviet Union experience difficulties in keeping up with the changes in the global economic trends. The Western Nations were capable of restructuring their production industries, switching to computers, and relocating labor to services (Adamson, 1998 p104). For example, in 1985 the number of personal computers available I Soviet Union and USA were 50,000 and 30 million respectively. In summary, the three key factors that led to the end of the Cold War include; the Western policy of containment, Reagan’s exceptional military spending tactic, and Gorbachev’s amendments on the economic and political policies. All these factors mainly led to the decline of Soviet economy. Lack of resources made it difficult to withstand the war. Reference Adamson L. G. Literature Connections to American History, 7-12: Resources to Enhance and Entice. California: Libraries Unlimited, 1998. Read More