This paper carries the title “Experiences of men and women in Texas” and is closely related to the subject of the Nineteenth Century American Frontier, the Voices of Frontier Women in specific. The westward expansion connected to the different frontiers in North America brought along new opportunities, of which making a fortune and leading a better life can be mentioned. According to Frederick Jackson Turner′s “The Significance of the Frontier in American History”, the frontier life many people sought furnished them with traits that dominate the American character today:
"That coarseness and strength combined with acuteness and inquisitiveness; that practical, inventive turn of mind, quick to find expedients; that masterful grasp of material things, lacking in the artistic but powerful to effect great ends; that restless, nervous energy; that dominant individualism, working for good and evil, and withal that buoyancy and exuberance which comes with freedom - these are traits of the frontier, or traits called out elsewhere because of the existence of the frontier."
In the seminar this paper refers to, several frontiers were mentioned and discussed. Among them the Hispanic and the Indian Frontiers as well as the Ranching and Cattle Frontier, all of which seem to play a role in Jo Ella Powell Exley′s Texas Tears and Texas Sunshine. This book forms the basis of the findings following this foreword.
In it, sixteen Frontier Women describe parts of their lives, whether it be conflicts with Indians and Yankee soldiers or struggles against natural forces. It covers a time frame from about 1821 until about 1905, thus, of course, including the year 1890 when the Bureau of the Census declared the frontier closed. This time frame is divided into four stages, which, as it becomes obvious from looking at the Table of Contents, was transferred here.
Table of Contents
FOREWORD
OVERVIEW
COLONIZATION, 1821 - 1835
INTRODUCING M.C.R., M.S.W.H. & A.R.T.C.
SETTING OUT FOR TEXAS
INDIAN TRIBES
MOVING FREQUENTLY & VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
THE REPUBLIC, 1836 - 1846
INTRODUCING D.R.H., R.P.P. & M.A.A.M.
INDIAN TRIBES
TEXANS VS. MEXICANS & OTHER REASONS FOR MOVING
TEXAS TEARS, 1846 - 1869
INTRODUCING M.D.G.W., S.K., R.A.P.B.A., E.I.M. & A.E.H.B.
DISEASES
FROM SLAVERY TO THE YANKEE SOLDIERS
CHILDREN'S ROLES
THE LAST FRONTIER, 1865 - 1905
INTRODUCING F.D.V.B., L.C.R., E.E.B.D., M.O.T.B. & M.A.P.B.
INDIAN TRIBES
COWBOYS
WINTER WEATHER: BLIZZARDS & STORMS
TEXAS RANGERS
SUMMARY & RELIGION
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this study is to examine the lived experiences of men and women on the 19th-century American frontier in Texas, specifically focusing on how they navigated recurring challenges through different historical stages.
- Analysis of survival strategies against natural, social, and political threats.
- Investigation of the impact of the American Frontier on gender roles and community life.
- Exploration of the role of religion as a coping mechanism for hardship.
- Evaluation of historical accounts from sixteen frontier women regarding their daily lives.
Excerpt from the Book
Indian Tribes
It was mostly Indians' land the settlers came to, for which reason it was evident that conflicts had to arise between them. Mary Crownover Rabb thus reports that at Indian Hill, the name already suggests who owned the country, the doors were fastened at night so the Indians could not get in. Her husband had cleared six acres with another family father, and on a Saturday they interrupted their work. By Monday the Indians had caught all but one horse and had left without the event having been noticed. Whenever John was gone, Mary had to keep her spinning wheel going all day and much of the night to not hear them walking around hunting mischief.
What other choice did they have than to move? About three years later they settled in Egypt, built a house and made a field. Any conflicts with Indians there? Certainly, for, they killed their cattle and hogs! When John was gone from this home, Mary could choose between either running to bed with her children, for fear the Indians would shoot through cracks of the log cabin, or going to her brother-in-law. One morning some Indians came into the house and begged everything they could see fit to eat and not fit. The Tonkawa Indians usually begged all they could and then left, but that did not mean that the person opposite was not afraid of them.
Summary of Chapters
Colonization, 1821 - 1835: This chapter introduces the early settlers and explores the initial difficulties faced in colonial Texas, including Indian conflicts and the necessity of frequent relocation.
The Republic, 1836 - 1846: This section covers the period of the Texas Republic, detailing the impact of the Runaway Scrape and the pervasive threat of war and violence.
Texas Tears, 1846 - 1869: This chapter focuses on the hardships experienced during and after the Civil War, emphasizing the prevalence of deadly diseases and the changing status of former slaves.
The Last Frontier, 1865 - 1905: This chapter examines the later frontier period, highlighting the roles of the Texas Rangers and the dangers posed by severe weather and continued Indian presence.
Keywords
American Frontier, Texas, Pioneer life, Indian tribes, Frontier women, Civil War, Texas Rangers, Colonization, Hardship, Religion, Resilience, Settlement, Cowboys, Yellow fever, Migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this research paper primarily about?
This paper explores the personal experiences and daily struggles of men and women on the 19th-century Texas frontier, based on historical accounts of pioneer life.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include the constant threat of Indian conflicts, the impact of disease and extreme weather, the necessity of frequent migration, and the role of religious faith in overcoming adversity.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to provide a synchronic analysis of recurring problems faced by different generations of frontier settlers, rather than strictly separating male and female experiences.
Which scientific method is employed?
The author employs a historical-thematic analysis, utilizing primary sources, personal memoirs, and secondary historical literature to reconstruct the lives of sixteen frontier women.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the chronological stages of the Texas frontier, from the early colonization in 1821 to the late period in 1905, including chapters on Indian tribes, cowboy culture, and the Texas Rangers.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include American Frontier, Texas, Pioneer life, Resilience, and Historical Memoirs.
How does the author describe the impact of the Texas Rangers?
The Rangers are depicted as a necessary force for law and order, tasked with protecting settlers from Indian raids and outlaws, and often compared favorably to regular soldiers in their commitment to their home state.
What role does the "Runaway Scrape" play in the narrative?
It represents a period of extreme insecurity during the Texas Revolution where families had to abandon their homes due to the advancing Mexican army and the omnipresent danger of Indian attacks.
- Quote paper
- Silke-Katrin Kunze (Author), 2002, Experiences of men and women in texas, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/15329
