What might account for the emergence of a mythic "Wild" West during the Gilded Age? Given the rapid post-Civil War expansion of industry beyond the Mississippi River, why would perceptions of a West, at once a lawless but timeless romantic frontier dominated by cowboys and Indians, permeate American popular culture in the late nineteenth century? (In composing your answer, consider the impact of the second industrial revolution.)

The emergence of a mythic "Wild" West during the Gilded Age can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the rapid post-Civil War expansion of industry beyond the Mississippi River led to a shift in the American population. As people moved westward in search of new opportunities, they encountered a landscape that was vastly different from the urbanized East. This new frontier was seen as a place of freedom and adventure, where individuals could reinvent themselves and escape the constraints of modern industrial society.

Additionally, the impact of the second industrial revolution played a significant role in shaping perceptions of the West. As industrialization and urbanization transformed the East, many Americans began to romanticize the idea of a simpler, more rugged way of life. The image of the cowboy, with his independence and connection to the land, became a symbol of this idealized frontier existence. At the same time, the portrayal of Native Americans as noble savages living in harmony with nature appealed to a desire for a more authentic and unspoiled way of life.

Furthermore, the rise of mass media and popular culture during the late nineteenth century helped to perpetuate these mythic perceptions of the West. Dime novels, Wild West shows, and later, motion pictures, all contributed to the romanticization of the frontier and its inhabitants. These depictions often exaggerated or distorted the reality of life in the West, but they captured the imagination of the American public and perpetuated the myth of the "Wild" West.

In conclusion, the emergence of a mythic "Wild" West during the Gilded Age can be attributed to the combination of westward expansion, the impact of the second industrial revolution, and the influence of mass media and popular culture. These factors all contributed to the romanticization of the frontier as a lawless but timeless land of adventure, dominated by cowboys and Indians, and permeated American popular culture in the late nineteenth century.