8 Shocking Things Which Were Considered Normal in the American Wild West
From exploitative prostitution to crime-infested communities.
With the West’s railways finally finished after the Civil War, formerly inaccessible places became viable for human habitation and economic growth. East Coast whites flooded west of the Mississippi River in search of mineral wealth and agricultural opportunity.
Also, many African-Americans moved westward from the South, having been convinced by advocates of black-only communities that they would be better off there. The incorporation of Chinese railroad employees significantly enriched the area’s population.
The Great Plains changed drastically as settlers arrived from the east. As farmers plowed the natural grasses to cultivate wheat and other crops, the vast herds of American bison that formerly roamed the plains were nearly wiped out.
The railroad became an integral part of the cattle business because it was a cost-effective and efficient way to transport livestock to consumers. Native Americans in the West suffered severe consequences as a result of the decline of bison populations and the expansion of European colonization.
Despite particular triumphs, American Indians generally felt outmatched by the higher…
