Friday, September 27, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
The Cowboy in US History
The Western cowboy was often seen as a free, rugged man who didn't have a care in the world for fancy living. Many people thought that the life of a cowboy was great and most men wanted to be one back in that time. But, in reality, a cowboy was just a low paid worker who couldn't afford fancy living and didn't have very much. A cowboy usually just had a horse and water; that was really all he needed to survive.They relied on nature for their food and shelter and that is the reason they are known as nature men. Cowboys have always been mistaken by many people for having a great, adventurous, free life. Although, many cowboys didn't like their lifestyle and longed for a family and home.
Not only was the life of a cowboy depicted different than it actually was, but life in the West was also seen differently from people who didn't live in that world. As an example, I can remember growing up and always seeing movies or books based on cowboys fighting Indians. Honestly, I thought that cowboys and Indians fought each other until I learned otherwise in US History. Cowboys and Indians had no problems with each other and were never seen really "battling" one another in the West. The majority of Americans think they know lots of information on the West based on their view of the cowboys and Indians, but in actuality they are not understanding the real day-to-day life the people in the West had to live because of all the lies they have been told. This includes the Chinese coming into the West and basically taking it over, immigration from all over Europe to the West and the struggles people in the West went through to keep their families going. Speaking for myself, I had never once heard anything about the Chinese ever coming into the West until this class. It makes me feel a whole lot more knowledgeable knowing about what actually went on in the West and America in general.
Most people back then and even some today believe that a cowboy is an untamed, scruffy man that no one wanted their daughter to fall in love with. People also believe that cowboys were dangerous men who wanted to start wars with Indians and other people that lived around them. Is it America's fault for the way people see Cowboys? Yes and no. It is truly no one's fault for many American's wrong impression on Western cowboys. Also, cowboys in a way brought it on themselves by living the lifestyle that they lived. Although many of them couldn't help the low pay job they had to work because that might have been the only job they could have gotten. The cowboys were happy with their way of life for the most part and the way they lived gave people the impression they have of them today.
Not only was the life of a cowboy depicted different than it actually was, but life in the West was also seen differently from people who didn't live in that world. As an example, I can remember growing up and always seeing movies or books based on cowboys fighting Indians. Honestly, I thought that cowboys and Indians fought each other until I learned otherwise in US History. Cowboys and Indians had no problems with each other and were never seen really "battling" one another in the West. The majority of Americans think they know lots of information on the West based on their view of the cowboys and Indians, but in actuality they are not understanding the real day-to-day life the people in the West had to live because of all the lies they have been told. This includes the Chinese coming into the West and basically taking it over, immigration from all over Europe to the West and the struggles people in the West went through to keep their families going. Speaking for myself, I had never once heard anything about the Chinese ever coming into the West until this class. It makes me feel a whole lot more knowledgeable knowing about what actually went on in the West and America in general.
Most people back then and even some today believe that a cowboy is an untamed, scruffy man that no one wanted their daughter to fall in love with. People also believe that cowboys were dangerous men who wanted to start wars with Indians and other people that lived around them. Is it America's fault for the way people see Cowboys? Yes and no. It is truly no one's fault for many American's wrong impression on Western cowboys. Also, cowboys in a way brought it on themselves by living the lifestyle that they lived. Although many of them couldn't help the low pay job they had to work because that might have been the only job they could have gotten. The cowboys were happy with their way of life for the most part and the way they lived gave people the impression they have of them today.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Chapter 15 Reflection
Before this unit of study in US history, I did not know much at all about the Post-Civil War South. I knew that slavery had been abolished and that it was very hard times for the freed blacks due to their lack of jobs and trying to find a place to live in. After learning more about this topic, I now understand why the South's economy was so bad. Their economy was so bad because of the devastation the war caused on the land and fields. I also knew that the South's economy was based on agriculture so that really explained it for me and showed me why it was not thriving after the war. Another thing I learned about in this unit was about the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments. Growing up I have always heard those terms but never really understood what they meant. Now I know that the 13th amendment abolished slavery, the 14th amendment gave all citizens their natural rights, and the 15th gave people voting rights. I could never have come up with those answers before this unit. I also did not quit realize the horrible struggles the freed blacks faced after the war. I never thought about having to move far away from where they would work long hot days on the plantations. Nor did I think about them having to deal with the bad thoughts and remembering their past lives.
It is very important for people to know and understand the history of the place in which they live in because of how important it is to not be selfish and to realize what people had to go through to get the place they live in to be the way it is now. Also, I think that people should at least know what wars were fought in the place they live in and why they were fought. Knowing what life was like before the war compared to after is also a very important factor as well. Learning and studying about the history of ones home city or state is very beneficial because it might make one appreciate where they live more. I know that after learning all about the Civil War it has made me realize how lucky I am to live in the South and have it be the way it is. Although, there are some things I could have kept the same about it from Pre-Civil War I could not be happier with where I live now.
It is very important for people to know and understand the history of the place in which they live in because of how important it is to not be selfish and to realize what people had to go through to get the place they live in to be the way it is now. Also, I think that people should at least know what wars were fought in the place they live in and why they were fought. Knowing what life was like before the war compared to after is also a very important factor as well. Learning and studying about the history of ones home city or state is very beneficial because it might make one appreciate where they live more. I know that after learning all about the Civil War it has made me realize how lucky I am to live in the South and have it be the way it is. Although, there are some things I could have kept the same about it from Pre-Civil War I could not be happier with where I live now.
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