Major book review only from chapter 6 to 9 - Essay Example

There existed financial instability in the state owing to marginal tax rates on land property, which formed the primary source of revenue. The economic slide of the state in 1837 was fueled by heavy debts, corruption in banks, depression in England, and failure in cotton and wheat crops. The prevailing Jackson administration added fuel to fire through short sighted policies. Specie circular, introduced to contain situation, further spoiled condition as people lost faith in paper currency. Arkansas had become synonym to crime, hostility, poverty etc.

Duels between high officials and killing each other had become common during the period. However, there was an influx of a number of settlers which was primarily due to the donation law of 1840 under which the state provided every member of the family with 160 acres plot. About three and half a million acres of land was distributed under the law. The population rose to three times from 1930 to 1940. The people were generally farmers who either owned the land or worked on donated land. Lack of schooling infrastructure was another drawback in the Arkansas owing to general poor conditions.

Among the rich, education was through private tutors. River travel formed the major mode of transport in the absence of bridges over rivers. Texas, with cheap real estate, was an imminent threat to Arkansas. Political pressure built up which led to annexation of Texas in 1845, infuriating Mexico. Gold rush of 1949 to California started the westward emigration. Prices of daily commodities shot up in the region. People underwent long journeys in search of gold and majority of them failed miserably.

Those who traded were successful. Later, westward migration was for settlers or seekers of permanent home in the west. However, “Massacre in Meadows” brought westward emigration to an abrupt halt and Texas remained the main destination for