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Problems of law and order The first settlers of the American West had to be extremely tough to survive, so law

and order was a rough and ready business in the newly settled territories. Things started to improve as more people arrived, and federal territories became fully fledged American states.

Federal territory

At first, newly-occupied land on the Plains was federal territory (it belonged to the ! government" and was administered by a governor, three #udges and a ! marshal. When the area reached a population of $,%%%, it became a territory, with - in addition - locally elected sheriffs, who could deal with local criminals. &ew territories were notoriously lawless. 'iners in the mining towns set up miners( courts, which settled local matters such as disputed claims, but were powerless to stop gangs of outlaws or rustlers. )n many areas, local citi*ens set up vigilante groups, who dished out summary #ustice to people suspected of crimes.

Township of Tombstone, Ari*ona, in +,,+ the gunfight at the -. /orral too0 place near here on 12 -ctober +,,+

When the population reached 2%,%%%, the territory became a state, with its own laws, government and finances, although there was still a ! marshal with responsibility for criminals who bro0e federal laws. !lowly, helped by improved communications (for instance the telegraph", law and order was established. Among the lawmen who helped achieve this were Pat Garrett (who shot 3illy the .id" and Wyatt Earp (famous for his shoot-out with the /lanton gang at the -. /orral".

Nine problems of law and order in the West


1. Distance (difficult to cover the large areas and isolated communities of the West" 2. Poverty and harsh conditions (people were prepared to resort to desperate measures" 3. More men than women (no calming influence4 prostitution" 4. Different races (differences of language and culture led to there being little sense of a united community" 5. Culture of violence (everyone carried guns, and sorted out problems by using violence" 6. Land claims and gold (arguments over land ownership4 greed, gamblers, criminals" 7. Cattle barons (fear of reprisal4 (respectable( citi*ens were scared to spea0 out4 #uries could be bribed and were often biased" 8. Poor court system (#udges often had poor 0nowledge of law4 courts often gave unfair verdicts4 lac0 of convictions" 9. Vigilantes (often as much a problem as the criminals"

Revision tip and answer preparation


Revision tip To familiarise yourself with the problems of law and order in the West, put the nine problems on the previous page into order of significance, and thin0 of the arguments you would use to support your opinion. nswer preparation As part of your revision, thin0 about the arguments and facts you would use to explain5 1. 2. 3. 4. W!at the structure of government was on the Plains. W!y law and order was a problem on the 6reat Plains. W!at ways were used to try to solve the problems of law and order. "ow successfully law and order was established on the Plains.

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