Westward Expansion — The Final Journey From Maine to California: An Illustrated Thesis

Author

James Schiele, Washington University in St. LouisFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2015

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Author's Department

American Cultural Studies

Additional Affiliations

University College

Degree Name

Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLA)

Degree Type

Thesis DLA

Abstract

This doctoral thesis shall examine how public policy changed with Westward Expansion during the late 19th century. Illustrations played a significant role in both educating readers to what was taking place out west, as well as bringing current events to the public eye in a timely fashion. Once newspapers received word of “Custer’s Massacre,” daily accounts were printed and pictures followed in Harper’s Weekly. Thus, public opinion rose to a peak following the battle, encouraging the federal government to move quickly to bring the Plains tribes under control and protect settlers moving west. Illustrations by Frederic Remington and others tended to show Indians in warfare mode. The impressions made by news accounts, fiction, and presentations such as the Buffalo Bill traveling troupe added to the public’s growing awareness of the West. The thesis contrasts the “hostiles” with George Catlin’s more researched books and pictures of tribes as a mature civilization in existence well before white Europeans arrived. Obstacles other than Indians, such as weather, barren landscapes, long distances, broken down wagons, and disease all made the movement hazardous. The sociological and civil rights impacts are the focal point of this study. The contrast between opposing points of view are brought out in visual form.

Language

English (en)

Chair and Committee

Randall Calvert

Committee Members

Iver Bernstein, Douglas Dowd, Steven Fazzari, David Konig, Richard Mahoney, Gary Miller

Comments

Permanent URL: https://doi.org/10.7936/K7FX77KR

Recommended Citation

Schiele, James, "Westward Expansion — The Final Journey From Maine to California: An Illustrated Thesis" (2015). Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 400.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds/400