HIST-222: Born Modern

Modern American West

A historical construct with shifting boundaries, not fixed geography, largely shaped by transformative events rather than geology alone.

Key Wars for West's Identity

The Civil War and World War II were central to the West's identity, pace of conquest, and transformation.

Yankee Leviathan

A term describing the powerful federal state created by the Civil War, which exerted significant influence, especially in the West.

Kindergarten of the American State

The West is described as this due to becoming a primary site for state-building and bureaucratic development, with agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs and U.S. Geological Survey shaping its growth.

Settlement and Markets in the West

Settlement in the West tended to follow market connections, with railroads driving growth by penetrating the region and integrating it with national/international markets.

Rapid Western Expansion (Post-Civil War)

Enabled by the modern army, rapid mobility via railroads, and advancing weapons, which overwhelmed Indian resistance.

Economic Pattern of the West

Gravitated toward extractive industries (mining, fishing, logging) and later agriculture and ranching, with limited prewar manufacturing compared to the coasts.

New Deal Projects in the West

Built enduring infrastructure, especially dams on western rivers, which fueled later development and helped the region recover from the Depression.

World War II's Impact on the West

Redirected massive public resources westward, leading to growth in hydroelectric power, factories, the atomic program, military bases, shipbuilding ( \approx 52\% of U.S. shipbuilding), and aerospace industry.

Postwar West Demographics

Experienced rapid population growth (roughly three times the national rate), urbanized along the Pacific Coast, and became highly diverse due to varied immigration flows.

Image vs. Reality of the West

The popular image of rugged individualism masks its modern, government-and-corporation-driven roots; the West was 'born modern,' shaped by policy, corporate power, and large-scale infrastructure.