Exploring the Rich History of the American West

socio-economic spheres and close ties to the overthrown monarchy. The accusations of being anti-Islamic and having connections with Israel and the US further heightened their apprehension, making them believe that widespread persecution was imminent. Consequently, numerous Jews, including my own family, opted to sell their possessions and relocate to different nations.

Our decision was to settle in the United States, specifically in the America's West, due to its historical large Jewish population and reputation for tolerance and lower levels of racism. We believed that by establishing ourselves here, we would find a more inclusive atmosphere where we could live alongside other Jewish immigrants who had also relocated with similar intentions. This aspect held great importance for us considering our Iranian-Jewish heritage.

Iranian Jews in the American West have a strong sense of pride in their unique identity, blending Iranian culture with Jewish beliefs. Their choice to settle in this region was driven by the aspiration to establish connections with immigrant communities that share similar cultural and religious backgrounds. (Source: Levinger, Lee J. A History of the Jews in the United States. Cincinnati: Dept. of Synagogue and School Extension of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1944.)

Besides Persian Jews, many other individuals migrated to the United States, particularly Western America, for various reasons such as socio-economic and religious factors. The initial wave of Jewish immigrants consisted of Sephardic Jews from Portuguese Brazil. Later on, German Jews came to escape poverty and discrimination in Europe. This group, called German Jewry, is now the largest Jewish population in the country. They also moved westward seeking new opportunities and formed congregations in their new settlements.

Much later, Russian Jews fled persecution and

came to the US. Another group came to the US after experiencing victimization in Europe following World War 2. The American West has always been historically diverse and constantly changing. However, the earlier groups traveled from the East to the West for different reasons, unlike my family's immigration. As early as the 1840s, a significant portion of the American population was already moving westward. These groups, mainly consisting of Americans with European ancestry, were seeking economic opportunities in the relatively untapped WestfootnoteRef:3.

The government was eager to assist settlers in the West in acquiring land for farming, with the aim of improving Americans' financial situations and promoting upward mobility. It is worth noting that a significant portion of this land came from the French through the Louisiana Purchase, effectively doubling the size of the United States ⁴. At that time, expanding the Western boundaries was seen as crucial for America's survival as a nation ⁴. The offer of land as an incentive proved to be highly attractive to individuals migrating to the West. Additionally, measures were taken to relocate Native American populations, who had previously posed a threat to Western settlements.

The government confiscated the land for various purposes, including constructing roads and railways, establishing new towns and farmlands. These lands were originally owned by Native Indians who were forcefully relocated to reservations by the army. This encouraged Europeans to migrate westward and acquire land. Furthermore, soldiers demobilized after the Civil War also moved to the West and became landowners through Homesteaders' arrangements, seeking a fresh start and further aiding in the settlement of the West (Hyde, Anne Farrar 3).

"Empires, Nations, and Families: A History of

the North American West, 1800-1860" by Karl Jacoby was published in 2011 by the University of Nebraska Press. Penguin Books also published another book by Jacoby called "Shadows at Dawn: An Apache Massacre and the Violence of History" in 2009. It is important to mention that following the discovery of gold in the area, individuals from non-European backgrounds also moved to the Western region."

The demography of America's West was significantly influenced by African Americans. The gold rush, which attracted a large number of people hoping to quickly become wealthy by establishing mines, played a crucial role in West's diversity. This event brought not only Americans but also Asians, South Americans, Mexicans, and Australians, making it possibly the largest convergence of diverse groups in a single area in recorded history.

Conflicts between communities sometimes occurred due to differences in culture, religion, identity, and opportunities. Despite its brevity, the gold rush left many individuals feeling disillusioned. Nonetheless, there were some who successfully accumulated wealth during this period. Following the Civil War, freed slaves and others escaping slavery in the South sought to embrace their newfound freedom in various regions of the West. These westward journeys were consistently arduous. In order to facilitate travel and encourage westward expansion, the government undertook the construction of the transcontinental railroad.

The ease and speed of travel were improved, thanks to the railway construction. Former soldiers and Irish immigrants played a vital role in providing labor for the railways. However, the Chinese constituted the largest group of laborers who migrated to the American West for railway construction. The railways played a crucial role in developing the West as they facilitated transportation, which led

to the growth of various industries such as mining and agriculture. Farm supplies, coal, and other materials were transported more efficiently as a result. Additionally, the railway played a significant role in expanding the cattle farming industry.

The cowboy culture, synonymous with the West, heavily relied on cattle as a valuable commodity. These cattle were primarily driven eastwards for profitable sales. The American West also had a unique history of religious diversity compared to other regions of the United States. The initial immigrants to the West originated from Northern Europe, especially England and Germany, and were predominantly Protestant. Consequently, churches became a significant aspect of the West, with thriving Protestant missionaries and numerous schools being established. However, due to language barriers, immigrants from other European regions like Poland, Italy, and Ireland - who were mostly Catholic - formed close-knit communities based on their shared backgrounds and nationalities.

Before these events, the Pueblo people had already been exposed to the Catholic faith due to Spanish authority and were often coerced into converting. Additionally, persecuted Mormons migrated from East to West, embodying values such as virtuousness, honesty, cleanliness, and industriousness. As a result of their success, suspicion and animosity arose from those outside their religion. Consequently, they repeatedly moved westward in search of a secluded place where they could freely practice their faith without interference or persecution. It should be noted that Jews and their synagogues played a significant role in Western regions of America.

Formerly slaves, African Americans initially practiced Islam but later converted to Christianity. The West has a longstanding history of religious pluralism that remains present today. While racism has been prevalent in the US, the West

is generally perceived as having fewer racist tendencies, potentially influenced by various factors.

The West's social interactions were greatly influenced by the presence of Protestantism and religious affiliations, which promoted tolerance. Unlike other American regions, this was not the case elsewhere. The West attracted diverse immigrants who brought with them various ethnicities and religious beliefs, possibly leading to a need for coexistence for survival rather than a desire for it. Although racism still existed to some extent, it was not as prevalent compared to other areas. This continues today, making the West an appealing destination for minorities.

Like many other migrants, my family and I are drawn to the diversity and tolerance of the West.

Bibliography

1. Jacoby, Karl. 2009. Shadows at dawn: an Apache massacre and the violence of history. New York: Penguin Books
2. Levinger, Lee J. A History of the Jews in the United States. Cincinnati: Dept. of Synagogue and School Extension of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1944.
3. Lecture, Willson, the American west, 10/29/2016
4. Hyde, Anne Farrar. 2011. Empires, Nations, and Families: A History of the North American West, 1800-1860. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
5. Hine, Robert V., and John Mack Faragher. 2007. Frontiers: a short history of the American West. New Haven, Conn. u.a.: Yale Univ.

Press. Abbott, Carl. 2008. How cities won the West: four centuries of urban change in western North America. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.