The American West. Visions and Revisions (New Studies in Economic and Social History, Series Number 50)

Over the past twenty-five years historians have created a 'New Western History', which has aimed to rewrite the 'Old Western History' created around the famous Turner thesis on the significance of the American Frontier. Focusing on five main themes, this study examines the dynamics and progress of recent scholarship in the issues of land use, the environment, race, ethnicity, gender, business and the development of communities. Synthesizing prolific research, it offers a clear and up-to-date review of American history and includes a complete bibliography. Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Series-title......Page 5 Title......Page 7 Copyright......Page 8 Contents......Page 9 Maps......Page 10 Tables......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Turner and the Frontier thesis......Page 13 Early responses to the thesis......Page 15 Old Western History......Page 16 Modern revisionism......Page 18 The New Western Historians......Page 22 More new visions......Page 25 Turner's vision re-framed......Page 29 Native peoples on the land......Page 31 Native and European contact......Page 33 Euro-American land claims......Page 34 American land and settlement policies......Page 36 Land becomes environment......Page 42 Native peoples pre- and post-contact (1492)......Page 47 Euro-American migrations: patterns and contours......Page 57 Peoples of the American west......Page 69 Pre-capitalist 'economies'......Page 84 Varieties of capitalist economies in the American west......Page 89 Farming and approaches to farming......Page 90 Farming experiences in the west......Page 93 The mid-nineteenth century......Page 94 Western farming in a national economy......Page 98 Conclusions......Page 103 Fur trapping and trading......Page 105 Mining......Page 111 Forestry......Page 116 Manufacturing......Page 120 6 Western communities......Page 126 Native Americans at contact......Page 127 Reservation communities......Page 128 Minority communities......Page 129 White immigrant communites......Page 133 Mormon communities......Page 136 Transient communities......Page 138 Urban communities......Page 142 Epilogue......Page 148 References......Page 150 Index......Page 167 New Studies in Economic and Social History......Page 174 Studies in Economic and Social History......Page 179 Economic History Society......Page 181 This Is A Succinct Survey Of The Numerous Contributions To The History Of The American West. In The Past Twenty-five Years Historians Have Created A 'new Western History', Which Has Aimed To Rewrite The 'old Western History Created Around The Famous Turner Thesis On The Significance Of The American Frontier. Focusing On Five Main Themes, This Study Examines And Discusses The Dynamics And Progress Of Recent Scholarship. Consideration Is Given To Issues Of Land Use, The Environment, Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Business And The Development Of Communities. Synthesising Prolific Research, The Book Offers A Clear And Up-to-date Review For All Students Of American History. A Full Bibliography Is Provided For More Extended Study.--book Jacket. The Frontier And The West: Realities, Myths And The Historians -- Lands And Landscapes: Occupation And Ownership -- Peoples And Migrations -- Making A Living: Early Settlements And Farming -- Making A Living: Non-farming Occupations -- Western Communities. Margaret Walsh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 138-154) And Index.