Instruction:
Be sure to reply to at least two OR MORE peers in class and fully respond to t
Classmate Discussion Post:
I think that when this was published in 1991 it was received with positive reviews because it gives the reader a perspective on what life was like traveling these trails. In the beginning of Chapter one Worster talks about a young merchant on the Santa Fe trail named Josiah Gregg. Worster says Gregg became positively eager to forward the cause of United States expansion. Like so many other merchants and travelers of his day, all taking trails westward in search of profit or adventure, he expected to find more than the shabby little foreign town of Santa Fe lying at the end of his journey (Beyond the Agrarian Myth pg 3). A century and a half after Josiah Gregg ‘s first trip along a barely rutted path, the West looks unlike anything he could have foreseen. In the process of becoming what it is, the region has emerged from the old clouds of myth and romance and now seems for the first time honestly revealed (Beyond the Agrarian Myth pg 6).
Alan Brinkley was a prominent American historian known for his insightful contributions to the field of 20th-century U.S. history. He authored several influential books, including “Voices of Protest: Huey Long, Father Coughlin, and the Great Depression” and served as the Allan Nevins Professor of History at Columbia University. Brinkley’s work often explored the intersections of politics, culture, and society, leaving a lasting impact on the understanding of modern American history. Throughout his article he explains the disagreements by talking about how it was adapted over time and that around the start of WW2 was when people started to actually pick apart turners thesis (Where Historians Disagree, Brinkley). In Virgin Land (1950), Henry Nash Smith examined many of the same heroic images of the West that Turner and his disciples had presented; but he treated those images less as The American West, and the process by which people of European descent settled there, has been central to the national imagination for at least two centuries. It has also, at times, been central to American historical scholarship ((Where Historians Disagree, Brinkley).
While reading these articles and novels I would say that my view on the American west has changed a good amount. I used to think that the American west was lawless and just full of cowboys and now realize that it was more just people moving a building small little towns. I think that these readings are very informative and because of Hollywood and all the movies about this era of American history a lot of people end up getting the wrong idea of what happened.
Classmate Two Discussion Post:
Exploring the readings from Trails: Toward a New Western History provided a fascinating glimpse into the impact this book had when it was published in 1991. It caused quite a stir among historians and readers, with some embracing its fresh perspective on the American West while others approached it more cautiously, perhaps feeling it challenged established historical narratives.
One of the most compelling themes that emerged from the readings was the reevaluation of the role of women in shaping the West. Western Women highlighted the indispensable contributions of women to frontier communities, marking a significant departure from earlier narratives that predominantly focused on men. This shift not only broadened our understanding of the West but also emphasized the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives into historical analysis. Moreover, What on Earth is the New Western History shed light on the methodology and objectives of the “new Western history” movement. It emphasized the use of interdisciplinary approaches and a wide range of sources to construct a more comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of Western history. This approach encourages historians to challenge traditional myths and engage with previously overlooked narratives, contributing to a richer and more inclusive historical discourse.
Alan Brinkley’s article, Where Historians Disagree, further deepened the discussion by highlighting ongoing debates and disagreements within the field of Western history (Brinkley). By showcasing the complexity of historical interpretation and the diversity of scholarly perspectives, Brinkley’s work underscores the dynamic nature of historical scholarship and the constant evolution of historical narratives. These readings have profoundly influenced my view of Western history. They have prompted me to consider history as a multifaceted and ever-evolving discipline, shaped by diverse perspectives and ongoing scholarly debates. This nuanced understanding encourages me to approach historical analysis with an open mind and a critical eye, recognizing the importance of embracing complexity and acknowledging the contributions of previously marginalized voices.
