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
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the multifaceted experiences of men and women on the 19th-century American frontier, specifically within the region of Texas. By analyzing personal accounts and historical narratives, the study aims to move beyond gendered generalizations to identify the recurring challenges and survival strategies shared across different generations of settlers during the period of westward expansion.
- Examination of the four developmental stages of the Texas frontier from 1821 to 1905.
- Analysis of daily life struggles, including interactions with hostile/friendly Native American tribes and coping with environmental hazards.
- Impact of geopolitical conflicts, such as the Mexican-American tensions and the American Civil War, on domestic stability.
- The influence of frontier environment on gender roles, social structures, and the necessity of frequent migration.
- The role of religion, faith, and indomitable spirit as psychological mechanisms for enduring hardship.
Excerpt from the Book
Setting Out for Texas
Since this enters the first stage, the beginning should be made by looking at how people came to Texas and why. Mary Rabb and other members of her family had packed up their necessities in Arkansas and set out for Texas with cattle, children and belongings. About 100 miles from there, the cattle got sick and had to be left behind to rest. At the Colorado River they met two gentlemen who were kind enough to help them across. They arrived safely at their journey’s end, at Indian Hill, in December, 1823. Luckily for her, she did not have much to dread.
Mary Wightman and her husband set out for Texas differently. They left New York by wagon, on the route switching to flatboat and raft to get to Pennsylvania, and from there taking a steamboat to New Orleans. The most difficult part of the journey was the way from New Orleans to the Texas coast. It usually took seven days, according to which measure provisions were taken along. Mary got sick from bad water and was sustained by a little vinegar and sugar only. She was nine days without food, had a fever and very little to drink! The ship must have been becalmed for lack of winds, so that the travelers started to lack food and water.
When they were out of cooked provisions, crackers and hard sea bread kept them alive. Due to water shortage, Mary says that one Mr. Pilgrim gave his share to the children and drank whiskey instead. The travelers witnessed a burial and craved for relief. A hurricane finally drove them ashore and they entered the promised land. Ann Coleman, on her part, also sailed to Texas by way of New Orleans, but just like Mary Rabb, she arrived without any trouble.
Summary of Chapters
FOREWORD: Introduces the scope of the study regarding the 19th-century American Frontier, specifically focusing on the lives of women in Texas based on historical records.
OVERVIEW: Provides a chronological framework, dividing the Texas frontier experience into four distinct stages spanning from 1821 to 1905.
COLONIZATION, 1821 - 1835: Examines the early migration of farmers and planters to Texas, highlighting initial encounters with Native American tribes and the necessity of frequent relocation.
THE REPUBLIC, 1836 - 1846: Discusses the period of Texas as an independent nation, detailing the turmoil caused by the Mexican struggle and the forced evacuations known as the Runaway Scrape.
TEXAS TEARS, 1846 - 1869: Analyzes the hardships faced by settlers during the mid-19th century, including deadly disease outbreaks, the impact of the Civil War, and the shifting social status of slaves.
THE LAST FRONTIER, 1865 - 1905: Covers the post-Civil War era, exploring the life of cowboys, the persistence of weather-related disasters, and the law enforcement role of the Texas Rangers.
SUMMARY & RELIGION: Concludes the analysis by emphasizing the role of Christian faith and religious fortitude in helping pioneers endure the relentless hardships of frontier life.
Keywords
Texas, American Frontier, Settler Experience, 19th Century, Migration, Native American Tribes, Civil War, Cowboy Life, Texas Rangers, Frontier Hardships, Women's Reminiscences, Yellow Fever, Religion, Pioneer History, Colonization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the experiences of men and women on the 19th-century Texas frontier, focusing on how diverse individuals navigated challenges like wars, diseases, and environmental shifts.
What are the primary themes discussed in the study?
Key themes include the impact of migration, social survival strategies during conflict, the realities of life for frontier women, and the psychological role of faith during times of intense hardship.
What is the research goal of this document?
The goal is to provide a synchronic analysis of recurring life problems faced by different generations, effectively documenting the human struggle in the harsh Texas landscape.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a biographical and thematic approach, analyzing existing diaries and reminiscences of sixteen frontier women to illustrate broader historical experiences.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the colonization era, the Republic of Texas period, the turmoil of the mid-1800s, and the closing of the frontier, alongside specific focus chapters on cowboys and Texas Rangers.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Texas, Frontier, Pioneer, Settler Experience, and 19th-Century History.
How did frontier families deal with extreme weather conditions?
Families had to learn to stockpile supplies and resources; in some instances, they even rigged ropes between buildings to ensure they could navigate during severe, disorienting blizzards.
How does the author characterize the role of the Texas Rangers?
The Rangers are depicted as a polarizing force—feared by outlaws and Native American tribes for their violence, yet viewed by pioneer families as protectors who maintained order on the frontier.
- Quote paper
- Silke-Katrin Kunze (Author), 2002, Experiences of Men and Women in Texas, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/4199