Womans History Questions

Women in the American West

Prepared for History 474 Fall 2023

Jessica Weiss

I.Myths of the Gender and the West A. A Male History B. A White/Native American History C. Specific Female Roles 1. Women’s Frailty 2. Moral Influence D. Domestic, homemaking roles & chores

Question: Do you have examples from television series, movies, or books that project or undermine these stereotypes and myths?

Pikes Island

II.Native American Women

A. Disruption and Resilience 1. A Dakota Woman and Minnesota Territory (Pelagie Fairbuilt) 2. Indian Wars a. Settler Incursions/Land Grabs and warfare b. “Peace policies” with Christian MIssionaries moving to reservations c. Gender Role and kinship changes

Discussion:

Based on the Cherokee women’s accounts how would you characterize the disruption during the Trail of Tears

Based on: Zitkala Sa’s account of her childhood. What can you learn from her story about Native American Women’s roles and experiences as Native American life changed in the South Dakota?

III Mexican Women and Westward Colonization

A. La Tules B. Property Laws and Legal Traditions

III. Anglo and African American Women

A. Scope and Timing B. Who Emigrated? C. The Journey D. Life for Homesteading Women

I know if you was here you would not think so I have just as good neighbors as I ever had any where and they are very sociable I was never in a neighborhood where all was as near on equality as they are here Those that have been here have a little the most they all have cows and that is quite a help here I get milk & butter from Mrs Furgison who lives 1/4 of a mile from us get the milk for nothing and pay twelve cents a pound for butter she makes good butter

A little ways from the door is a small pond that has watter the year round we use out of it for all purposes but drinking and cooking We have the drinking water cary about 1/4 of a mile and the best of water We have two neighbors only 1/4 of a mile from us

I must stop and get supper

Supper is over and dishes washed I wish I had a cow or two to milk I would feel quite proud then think will get one after harvest Uriah is going up near Crete to harvest The wheat

Letter from Mattie Oblinger

IV Rights and Freedom

A. Divorce B. Slavery and Abolition

Slavery and Abolition and Rights

Julia Louisa Lovejoy

Discuss: West as a Paradox for Women, Gender, & Rights

1. What were some opportunities offered by Westward Migration 2. What new elements of the ‘Westward Ho’ experience did this mini lecture and

the readings add to your ‘knowledge base.’