The Light Shines from the West: A Western Perspective on the Growth of America

by Robert C. Baron, Page Lambert, Daniel R Wildcat, Elizabeth Darby, Donald A. Yale

Overview

An exploration of the innovations that have shaped the American West from Jefferson’s election in 1800 to today, this groundbreaking book shines a light on the stories and places integral to the development of America. From land settlement to the politics that form with new cultures, The Light Shines from the West provides an insightful perspective of Western history, including innovation in business, ranching, and farming, education, politics, and medicine.

Robert C. Baron has been joined by five others in writing this important book. Contributors include Elizabeth Darby, Page Lambert, Dr. Bruce Paton, Daniel Wildcat, and Donald A. Yale..

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682751640
Publisher:	Fulcrum Publishing
Publication date:	04/03/2018
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Robert C. Baron is a historian, scientist, and the author or contributor to 30 books. He was program manager for the Mariner 2 (Venus) and the Mariner 4 (Mars) onboard space computers. In 1971, he founded Prime Computer, which became one of the Fortune 500 largest American companies, and was its chief executive officer. He is the founder of Fulcrum Publishing, Films by Fulcrum, the International League of Conservation Writers, and the 3rd Third, an educational program for older Americans.

Charlotte and Bob Baron are the 2018 recipients of the Award for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community by the Authors Guild Foundation.

Table of Contents

Preface Peter Newell Gertie Pat Melanie Grant ix

Introduction Robert C. Baron xiii

Chapter 1 Thomas Jefferson and the West Robert C. Baron 1

The View from Virginia 1

Dreams of the West 3

Jefferson's Library and the West 5

Westward Exploration 6

The Presidency: 1801-1809 7

French and Spanish Explorers 7

Lewis and Clark Expedition: 1804-1806 11

Senior Statesman: 1809-1826 15

Chapter 2 The Land Robert C. Baron 17

The Land: Colonial America through the Nineteenth Century 18

Chapter 3 Native Americans Daniel R. Wildcat 29

A Historical Review of Three Federal Indian Policy Initiatives 31

The Boundary Line: Civilized Peoples and Savages 31

Removal Policy 32

The Classic Liberal Solution: Education 36

The General Allotment (Dawes) Act 41

Time, Space, and the Defense of Place 45

The "Termination" Policy 50

History through Indigenous Eyes 54

Chapter 4 Changing Boundaries Robert C. Baron 57

European Culture and Wars 57

Canada 59

French North America (1534-1763) 61

English Canada (1760-1867) 61

Canadian Nationhood 62

Canadian-US Relations 63

Mexico 65

Early History 65

Spanish Explorers 66

Greater Mexico 68

Mexican-American War (1846-1848) 68

Mexican-US Relations 72

Hispanics in America 72

Chapter 5 Migration from the East Robert C. Baron 73

Rivers and Settlements 73

Walking, Wagons, Water 74

Roadways 76

Canals 77

The Steam Engine and Steamboat 79

The Growth of Midwestern Farm States and Beyond 81

The Railroad 86

Chapter 6 The Country Moves West Robert C. Baron 89

National Railroads 89

The Rocky Mountain West 92

Mining, Cattle, Sheep, and Timbering 96

The West as a Colony of the East 97

Changes during the Past Three-Quarters of a Century 97

Transportation 99

Communication 102

Isolation and Integration 104

Chapter 7 Women of the West Elizabeth Darby 107

Western Native American Women 119

Hispanic Women of the West 123

African Descent Women of the West 127

Anglo Women of the West 130

Chinese Women of the West 135

Chapter 8 Politics in the West By Donald A. Yale 139

Overview 139

The American West 141

Western History 147

Western Law 150

Chapter 9 The Rural West Page Lambert 157

A New Tide Washes Over the Land 157

Rural Isolation 161

Natural Resources, Mechanization, and Agriculture 165

Women of the Rural West 171

Economic and Emotional Depression in the Rural West 175

Rural Americans-The Invisible Demographic 177

The Future of the Rural West 180

Chapter 10 Education and Economic History Robert C. Baron Bruce C. Paton 183

Elementary Education and Land Grant Colleges 183

Medicine 185

Job Creation 190

Technology Moves West 191

Private and Public Ownership of the Land-Wilderness, National Parks, Forests 193

Quality of Life 196

Chapter 11 The West in Fact and Fiction Robert C. Baron 197

Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Views: Journals and Visitors 197

Nineteenth-Century Art and Photography 199

Westerners 203

Western Movies, Radio, and Television 205

Novels of the West 206

History, Biography, and Memoirs 208

Preserving the Land 209

Twentieth-Century Western Art, Sculpture, Photography, Music, Museums, and Collections 209

Western Reality and Image 210

Chapter 12 The American West Robert C. Baron 211

The Land 211

The People 213

Government 215

The US West and East 216

The American West in the Twenty-First Century 217

Notes 219

Illustration Acknowledgments 231

Bibliography 237

Index 257

About the Authors 263