Where Is the West?

Where is the West?

Scholars from varying disciplines have debated about “the West” throughout history. There have been several deliberations, but one question that seems to prevail above all others is “Where is the West?” Answers to this question can be found just about anywhere and from just about anyone, but the fact still remains there is no definite (or indefinite) boundary line where the East ands and the West begins. However, if a line had to be chosen, both the Mississippi River and the 100th Meridian would be prime contenders.

After the American Revolution, the winning of independence opened up the Western country and was hence followed by a steady flow of settlers to the Mississippi valley. The frontier line ran through Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas on the western side of the river and all parts of the valley, with the exception Wisconsin and Minnesota, were well populated (R. Brown, Class Lecture). Thus a whole new section had been colonized with lasting effects on the American institutions, ideals, and ways of living. The far west was the land of high mountains, deserts, strange rock formations, brilliant colors and immense distance. Fur trade with Europe had now become a lucrative business and the fur traders became the pathfinders for the settlers (Turner, 23). Migration was now possible by the discovery of paths over which ox-driven carts could be driven through seeking mountains and across the western desert. People wanted to move away from the overcrowded cities and this led to the migration into the uninhabited lands. Increased transportation such as roads, railroads, and canals (as well as their construction) created a demand for cheap labor, making it easier for people to get jobs, in contrast with the cities where there was widespread unemployment. The pioneer movement roughly represented the form of 3 parallel streams, flowing westwards from New England, Virginia and South Carolina. The first pioneer groups tended to move directly westward. Thus the New Englanders migrated into western New York and along the shores of the Great Lakes. The Virginians moved into Kentucky and then into Missouri, with the southern pioneers from South Carolina and Georgian into the gulf territories (R. Brown, Class Lecture). Throughout the settlement of the Mississippi valley, most pioneers did not travel long distances, and as a territory had been occupied, families would move into the adjacent one. Characterizing the Mississippi River as a dividing line between the East and the West would only be appropriate according to these migration patterns of early pioneers and settlers of the American Frontier.

However, the Mississippi River isn’t the only choice with a compelling argument. In a lecture given by Professor Richard Jackson, another logical choice for a dividing line was presented. He mentions the 100th Meridian,