The New Frontier

The Land of Opportunities

The American frontier, also known as the Old West or the Wild West, includes the geography, history, folklore, and culture in the forward wave of American expansion in mainland North America that began with European colonial settlements in the early 17th century and ended with the admission of the last few western territories as states in 1912 (except Alaska, which was not admitted into the Union until 1959). This era of massive migration and settlement was particularly encouraged by President Thomas Jefferson following the Louisiana Purchase, giving rise to the expansionist attitude known as "Manifest Destiny". The legends, historical events and folklore of the American frontier have embedded themselves into United States culture so much so that the Old West, and the Western genre of media specifically, has become one of the defining tenets and prides of American national identity. This turned the beginning of the 19th century into a golden age for cowboys, outlaws, pioneers, gunslingers and anyone dreaming of a new and better life free from 'modern' civilisation. Life on the frontier was hard and unforgiving, especially for the early settlers. However, it also held immense beauty and a certain type of novelty and simplicity that was very much sought after during this time. Unfrontunately good things never last and by the end of the century civilisation finally began to catch up with the New Frontier. When the year 1899 rolled around the age of outlaws and gunslingers was coming to an abrupt end. America was becoming a land of laws and even the wild west had mostly been tamed. Sheriff's were now backed up by a new form of a specilised law enforcement who called themselves The Pinkertons. They were highly trained gunmen trained and paid buy the government to tame the American Frontier. The world no longer tolerates thieves and outlaws and they are making it abundantly clear. Many believe it is time to get out while you still can or die trying.