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American historians assumed that the process of extending the frontier westward began 1607 with the establishment of the first colony in Jamestown. It ended around 1890 when the U.S. census bureau defined the frontier “[…] as an unbroken line of settlement with two or fewer people per square mile […].” This criterion led Frederick Jackson Turner in 1893 to the conclusion that there was no frontier line, due to westward movement and expanding settlement, anymore.
Turner noted the great significance of the frontier to the development of the American society and underlined the frontier’s economic and political contributions. In addition he argued that the spirit of the West was very important, because it “[…] encouraged men to rebel against eastern conservatism, particularly by shaping new policies […] and to liberalize their political views in support of democracy.” When he talked about frontier experience he talked about the story of men’s confrontation with the raw force of the West.
“The wilderness masters the colonist. […] It takes him from the railroad car and puts him in the birch canoe. […] at the frontier the environment is at first too strong for the man. He must accept the conditions which it furnishes, or perish, and so he fits himself into the Indian clearings and follows the Indian trails.
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When analyzing history it is important to have a look at the people. From this point of view frontiers were not just regions at the edge of a settled area, but also places were different people – men, women and children – had to manage their lives. Therefore the topic of this term paper is to investigate how frontier encounters and experiences had an impact on women’s role. For this reason the term paper is structured as follows: it starts with the description of a U.S. federal law from 1862, the Homestead Act. This law gave nearly everyone the opportunity to “acquire” property. In addition it was a main reason for many men, women and families to move west. Afterwards the circumstances of homesteading – housing conditions, dangers of frontier life and division of work – should be investigated in order to find distinctions between frontier life and the everyday life in the eastern regions. Finally, the analysis of gender role and family life at the frontier should provide evidence to answer the question of this term paper.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Homestead Act
- Everyday life of frontier women
- Housing conditions
- Dangers of frontier life
- Division of work and possible professions at the frontier
- Gender role and family life
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper investigates the impact of frontier encounters and experiences on women's roles in the American West. It examines how the realities of homesteading, including living conditions and dangers, shaped women's lives and challenged traditional gender roles.
- The Homestead Act of 1862 and its impact on women's access to land and opportunities.
- The challenges and hardships faced by women in the daily lives of frontier settlements.
- The ways in which frontier life altered traditional gender roles and family dynamics.
- The adaptation and resilience of women in the face of adversity.
- The contrast between the idealized vision of the frontier and the lived experiences of women.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the term paper by referencing Frederick Jackson Turner's work on the significance of the frontier in American history. It highlights Turner's focus on male experiences and challenges this perspective by focusing on the experiences of women in frontier life. The chapter sets the stage for examining how women’s lives were impacted by homesteading and frontier conditions. The paper aims to analyze the influence of these experiences on women's roles in the American West.
Homestead Act: This chapter examines the Homestead Act of 1862, a significant piece of legislation that opened up vast tracts of land in the West to settlement. It discusses the Act's provisions and its impact on encouraging westward migration by both men and women. The chapter also addresses the role of the government in attempting to improve living conditions for women in the West and how the Act was viewed as a pathway to achieving the “American Dream,” offering opportunities for female independence and self-sufficiency. The chapter sets the scene for subsequent analysis of the daily struggles and achievements of women in the frontier context.
Everyday life of frontier women: This chapter delves into the specifics of women's daily lives on the frontier. It covers various aspects of this experience, such as housing conditions, environmental dangers, and the division of labor. The chapter describes the arduous tasks of building homes (often from primitive materials like sod or logs) and the challenges posed by harsh weather, wildlife, and insect infestations. The chapter contrasts the romanticized notion of frontier life with the harsh realities faced by women, highlighting their strength and determination in overcoming these obstacles. The text extensively details examples of the difficulties faced by women in establishing their homes in the West.
Keywords
Frontier life, women's history, Homestead Act, gender roles, westward expansion, American West, housing conditions, challenges, resilience, adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Term Paper on Frontier Women in the American West
What is the main topic of this term paper?
This term paper investigates the impact of frontier encounters and experiences on women's roles in the American West. It examines how the realities of homesteading, including living conditions and dangers, shaped women's lives and challenged traditional gender roles. It challenges the traditional focus on male experiences in narratives of westward expansion.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the Homestead Act of 1862 and its impact on women's access to land; the challenges and hardships faced by women in daily life; how frontier life altered traditional gender roles and family dynamics; the adaptation and resilience of women; and the contrast between the idealized vision of the frontier and women's lived experiences.
What historical context is provided in the paper?
The paper references Frederick Jackson Turner's work on the significance of the frontier in American history, highlighting its tendency to focus on male experiences and contrasting this with the experiences of women.
What does the paper say about the Homestead Act of 1862?
The paper examines the Homestead Act's provisions and its impact on westward migration by both men and women. It discusses the government's role in attempting to improve living conditions for women in the West and how the Act was viewed as a pathway to the "American Dream," offering opportunities for female independence and self-sufficiency.
What aspects of everyday life for frontier women are discussed?
The paper delves into the specifics of women's daily lives, including housing conditions (often primitive structures), environmental dangers (harsh weather, wildlife, insects), and the division of labor. It contrasts the romanticized notion of frontier life with the harsh realities faced by women, emphasizing their strength and determination.
What are the key chapters covered in the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, a chapter on the Homestead Act, a chapter on the everyday lives of frontier women, and a concluding chapter on gender roles and family life. Each chapter provides specific details and analysis related to women's experiences.
What are the key words associated with this term paper?
Key words include: Frontier life, women's history, Homestead Act, gender roles, westward expansion, American West, housing conditions, challenges, resilience, adaptation.
What is the overall objective of the term paper?
The term paper aims to analyze the influence of frontier experiences on women's roles in the American West, challenging traditional narratives and highlighting the significant contributions and resilience of women in shaping the West.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Bjoern Cebulla (Autor:in), 2007, How frontier experience had an impact on women’s role, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/113780
