Not all weapons that won the Old West for the East Coast immigrants were firearms. Bottom line: Technology won the west. And yes, firearms were an important part of it. Here are thirteen technological weapons without which settling the West would have been much more difficult.
1. Communications (Pony Express, then the Telegraph)
2. Barbed wire
3. Stagecoach and freight system
4. The Homestead Act
5. Transcontinental Railroad
6. Square-set timbering (deep mine structure)
7. Colt Peacemaker
8. Henry Repeating Rifle
9. Deringer Handgun (palm pistol)
10. Gatling Gun
11. Sharps Rifles (buffalo guns, 50-90 calibre)
12. Model 1873 Winchester Rifle
And the ultimate weapon the won the west:
13. Harvey Girls
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Jacquie, you are such a fun writer. I agree Harvey Girls helped civilize the west. I had read an article that the telegraph was one of the greatest weapons against bank robbers and outlaw gangs, but each of the things you mentioned contributed as well. Thanks for another interesting post.
ReplyDeleteSad to think that technology might defeat us in the end, though. Interesting post and so true.
ReplyDeleteNice post. We don't think of most of those things except the guns. I appreciate the reminder, especially as a writer of western romance.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post as always, Jacquie. sorry I'm so late getting here. It's been one of those days, um, I mean weekends.
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline, Ciara, Cindy, and Lyn!
ReplyDeleteI think the bottom line here is that when women came, men began building rather than taking whatever wealth they could find without regard for any sort of law. Once women showed up, men had to knuckle under or the women wouldn't give them the time of day; hence, law and order, schools and churches, and gingham curtains. Winchesters didn't force that change--women did.