Conflict and tension (law and order) Flashcards
What were the reasons for lawlessness?
Claim jumping, isolated towns, racism towards Chinese, mining camps, not enough officials, rapid population increases, alcohol, gambling, prostitution.
How were the problems solved?
Vigilance committees were set up, and Miner’s courts were set up to settle disputes.
Who appointed the US Marshall?
The president.
What were the US marshalls responsible for?
A state or territory
What did Town Marshalls deal with?
Saloon fights/ shootings
Where did sheriffs work?
In counties
What could sheriffs ask people to do?
They could ask locals to form a posse to catch criminals.
What were other solutions to Law & Order?
When a territory reached 60,000 people it could become a state with its own legal system, until then the federal government was in charge of this area. They appointed 3 judges for court cases and a US marshal
What was the impact of the Civil War on Law and order?
Men defeated South resented US Government laws
What was the impact of railroads on law and order?
New towns in the West created by railroads called ‘Hell on Wheels’, grew quickly, no law enforcement, lots of fighting, prostitution and drinking.
What were ‘Cow Towns’?
It was where cowboys went after being paid to drink, gamble and fight.
What was another problem for Law and Order?
Trains moved valuables and were targets for robberies.
How did the problems improve?
Rail and telegraph improved communication between officers, Cow towns banned weapons, Banks and railroads companies employed Pinkerton detectives to track down robbers.
Who was Billy the Kid?
Billy the Kid was a gang member who grew up in poverty and became involved in range war (Lincoln County War)) between cattle barons.
How did Billy and his gang easily escape and hide?
The law enforcement was weak and corrupt.
Who killed Billy the Kid?
Sheriff Pat Garret
What was the story of Wyatt Earp?
Wyatt Earp moved to the mining town of Tombstone where there was lots of fighting led by Clantons & McLaurys. Businessmen hired Earp as deputy Sheriff to end fighting in their favour. Earp and his brothers defeated the Clantons&McLaurys in the gunfight at the OK Corral. They then left Tombstone after the public didn’t like them,
Why was the public opinion negative towards Wyatt Earp?
There were more deaths and they were considered murderers.
What was the Johnstone County War of 1892?
It is an example of a range war for land/resources in the West. It was between the cattle barons and homesteaders in Wyoming. Most land was public, where huge cattle ranches developed and was controlled by a few rich men. They controlled Wyoming. Smaller ranches did better big ranchers accused them of stealing their cattle. Homesteaders took land from the big ranchers. The killing of Ella Watson & Jim Avril - Claimed their cattle were stolen, they were hung. Big ranchers hired gunmen & invaded Johnson County to kill rustlers. Invasion failed. They were eventually set free.
Why did the invasion fail?
Locals from the town of Buffalo arrested them.
