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Describe two problems faced by miners in the American West. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 4 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 4
Describe two problems faced by miners in the American West.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe two problems faced by miners in the American West. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 4 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
One problem miners faced was lawlessness.
Answer
Miners often lived in isolated camps that lacked organized government or law enforcement. This absence of authority led to rampant lawlessness, where disputes among miners could escalate quickly. As a result, violent confrontations often occurred, and individuals took the law into their own hands, making mining camps dangerous places.
Step 2
Another significant issue was racial tension.
Answer
The influx of diverse groups into mining areas led to heightened racial tensions. This included conflicts between Anglo-Americans and other communities, such as the Chinese immigrants who were often marginalized and discriminated against. Such tensions could lead to violence and hostility within mining camps, further complicating the miners' daily experiences.