Myth #1: The frontier was a vast, empty, barely populated land awaiting white settlement - settlement that encouraged rugged individualism, nationalism, and democracy and was

destined to transform a savage and desolate land into a modern civilization.

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• There was no “free” land; before white settlement, the frontier was extensively populated with many highly-developed societies and cultures: Hispanics, Indians, French, British, Canadians.

• Each of these groups were dramatically and negatively affected by the migration of Anglo Americans to the West especially the Plains Indians and the Hispanic residents of New Mexico, California, and Texas.

Reality: White Americans did not settle the West, but rather, they conquered it.

Myth #2: Frontier life was politically, socially, and economically fulfilling.

Reality: While many immigrants adjusted to frontier life, it was also fraught with physical

dangers and emotional and economic hardships. • Only about 400,000 frontier

homesteaders actually remained on the land long enough to gain title - five years. Many more left the area because they were not able to cope with the bleak life and economic realities of life on the plains.

• During the Dakota drought between 1885-1890, some 50,000 discouraged and ruined settlers fled the territory. Farmers and their families faced boredom and loneliness.

• The life of danger and loneliness was especially difficult for women, many of whom were physically and psychologically destroyed by frontier life.

Myth #3: Plentiful mining opportunities in the West made many people rich.

Reality: The majority of miners remained poor; those who did become wealthy largely made their

fortunes in the service industries. • The mining boom

was short-lived, lasting from 1848 to the early 1890s.

• As large corporate mines began to dominate mining, they became dangerous places for workers who earned very little and risked their lives on a daily basis.

Myth #4: Cowboys lived a life in harmony with the environment and were largely responsible

for upholding frontier virtue and justice.

Reality: The Cowboy’s life was often lonely, dirty, dangerous, ugly, and boring.

• The work was hard and the pay was low.

• Whatever justice that was upheld usually consisted of vigilante tactics.

• The range was far from peaceful as sheep ranchers and cattlemen fought with each other, and both fought with farmers who increasingly fenced in their claims.

• Corporations moved in quickly, causing a speculative frenzy that overstocked the ranges.

• Draughts were so severe in 188586 and 188687 that ranches disappeared, streams and grasses died, and thousands of cattle were lost.