Westward Expansion Crash Course US History

John Green explores the myths and realities of the Wild West, highlighting its impact on American culture and economy. The video discusses Frederick Jackson Turner's Frontier Thesis, the role of railroads in Western expansion, and the conflicts with Native Americans. It also examines government policies like the Dawes Act and the transformation of Western farming into agribusiness. The episode concludes by reflecting on the Wild West's influence on modern industrial capitalism.

Explain how the Wild West is often mythologized in American culture.

What were some key characteristics of American culture that Frederick Jackson Turner attributed to the West?

What role did railroads play in the development of the Wild West?

How did the federal government support the settlement of the West?

What were the economic motivations behind the removal of Native Americans from their lands?

Describe the significance of the Ghost Dance movement among Native Americans.

What was the impact of the Dawes Act of 1887 on Native American land ownership?

What were the consequences of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' policies on Native American culture?

In what ways did the image of the cowboy differ from the reality of cowboy life?

How did the settlement of the West affect the lives of women on farms?