American West Myths

Claim: The myths of the American West inspire its people. The myth of the West came around just as the history of the west was happening therefore history was often thought of as a myth and a lot of myths were often thought of as actual history. For example, Buffalo Bill was extremely important to the west because he was mythical and a historical figure at the same time. There were myths about him that were actually true and there were also myths about him that were made up that he then made true. The history of the world has shown that not everything is always just nice and simple about history. Violence, wars, battles, gunfights, robberies, savage killings, thieves, and more were part of actual history of the west. People might feel threatened by the true facts of history because it makes them face the reality of the world where as the imagination can run free with myths and fiction of the old west to escape reality. The symbolic meaning of the American West created such moral, ethical, and emotional values in American that it paved way for a country that would grow from an east coast settlement to a coast to coast nation of progress. …show more content…
Montana’s nickname is the Treasure state because early settlers found a wealth of silver and gold in its mountains. “The Last Best Place” a myth in itself long used and cherished by Montanans to describe their sprawling and scenic state. For example, has many towns that relate exactly to that statement. Great Falls was named after the falls which are no longer there but the myth still continues with the name of the city. Bozeman was named after John Bozeman a man who his known for guiding miners across Montana on the “Bozeman Trail”. Three Forks was formed from the founding of the hydrocarbon production that linked to the Bakken. The Bear Paw Mountains were named for the ridges that resemble a bear