The document discusses perceptions of the American West, both past and present. It explores how the West was initially portrayed by settlers as sophisticated and advanced to promote settlement. However, the reality was that it was also a rugged and unforgiving place. Today, the West is romanticized as the "Old West" despite being a rapidly growing region. The mythology of the West overlooks the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans and hardships faced by minorities. Western identity is strongly tied to the frontier experience but the region has become vastly urbanized and diverse.

1. THE GHOSTS OF WESTERN FUTURE AND PAST By: AARON FREY “Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]”

3. Manifest Destiny

4. The Frontier Era was Pure“Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]”

6. Pioneer region

8. Huge demographic shifts“Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]”

10. Westerners promote the West as being the “Old West”

11. Fast growing region

12. Nostalgic“Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]”

14. Westerners feel a sense of primacy when discussing “their” region

15. This is often resented among people who move in to the region“Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]”

17. “Do it yourself” attitude

18. Settlers were conquerors

19. Westerners feel a sense of entitlement because of “their” experience“Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]”

21. Relocation of Native Americans to Reservations

22. Understated importance of Mexican Americans and African Americans in the settlement of the West

23. Minorities viewed as savages and second class citizens“Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]”

25. Because they are proud of their simple, affordable lifestyles

26. Because California is so “modern”

27. Because California is “unwestern”

28. California is proud of being modern and “unwestern”“Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]”

30. Scared southern and eastern European immigrants would not become Americanized

31. Based on prejudices

32. White Anglo-Saxon Protestant mentality

33. Regionalism and distrust of outsiders

34. Overall anti-immigrant attitudes“Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]”

36. Moving beyond racial and cultural differences to:

37. Make interdenominational churches

38. Consolidate schools

39. Business growth

40. Westerners were a very positive example for the country while Jim Crow ruled the South“Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]”

42. This was the original goal of pioneers

43. This is now resisted by Westerners

44. In 1990 over 80% of people living in the west now live in cities

45. The west has been profoundly affected by:

46. Social norms

47. Political aspects

48. Cultural values

49. Economic changes

50. Demographic changes

51. Environmental issues

52. Change is inevitable“Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]”

54. Westerners remember the past selectively

55. Remember positives and romanticize them

56. Forget undesirable memories

57. The “myth” of the west will probably always be remembered“Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]”

59. The West is very culturally diverse

60. The West itself is very diverse geographically, economically, and socially

61. The West is very unique and different from any other part of the country

62. The people of the West pride themselves on being different from any other people Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]”

64. Promoters of settlement sold the West as already being tamed

65. Modern day promoters of the West as a place of rustic beauty and wide open spaces

66. The West was and is a rapidly growing region

67. Romantic reminisces of the West

68. Elitist, Racist Legacies

69. Also positive cooperation among peoples Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]”

71. The West helps to define America

72. Allviews of the West are historically important“Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]”