Many historians have divided the settlement of the American West into several different "frontiers":  the ranching frontier, the farming frontier, the mining frontier, the Indian frontier, the migrant frontier, the urban frontier.  Chosing one of these "frontiers," write an essay (approximately 3 pages) on the nature of society there in the mid-19th century.  What were social dynamics and social relations like on that frontier?  Which groups held power and why?  Were there clear "winners" and "losers" among different social groups (i.e., ethnic, racial, age, gender, occupational)?  What was life like in the frontier society for each group?  How and why did conditions and life change for people over time?  Be sure to use specific examples from relevant readings.