Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
The Impact of the American Civil War on Lawlessness (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
How did the Railroad Impact Law and Order? - Summary
Railways helped the movement of people, goods and livestock across vast distances. This connected remote areas and increased economic growth. The railways also created new opportunities for criminal activity. Trains became targets for robbery and theft.
The Reno Gang were one of the most infamous outlaw groups of the time. They benefitted from the opportunities presented by the railways. They carried out a series of daring train robberies. The gang, led by the Reno brothers, targeted trains carrying valuable cargo. They would ambush trains in remote areas. Overpowering the crew and passengers, they stole goods and escaped before the authorities could respond.
The railways made it easier for outlaw groups like the Reno Gang to carry out their criminal activities. The Transcontinental Railroad passed through isolated places of the Plains. This made it difficult for authorities to effectively patrol and protect trains from robbery. It also made it more likely for criminals to get away with their crimes.
The Reno Gang's exploits captured the public's imagination. It contributed to a sense of lawlessness and insecurity in communities along railway lines.
Why did the American Civil War Cause Issues With Law and Order?
The American Civil War increased lawlessness in the West because:
Ex-soldiers who deserted the army formed criminal gangs
Many ex-soldiers could not find work after the American Civil War
The war traumatised many men
Confederate soldiers were angry at the US government
They did not agree with the dominance of the northern states over the federal government
Criminal gangs were armed and intimidating
Law enforcement was weak
Many local citizens complied with the gangs
The Reno Gang, 1866-1888
The Reno Gang are an example of ex-Civil War soldiers turning to a life of crime
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A question could ask you to write a narrative account of law and order in the American West. A common misconception that students have is that a narrative account is a story. A narrative account answer should follow CHRONOLINK:
Put the sequence of events in chronological order
Link each section of the narrative to the next event that occurred. You should use linkage terms such as: 'as a consequence', 'this led to' or 'because'
You should have three sections to your narrative. Each section should include specific knowledge about the events in the narrative. Your answer should include process words such as 'affected', 'increased' and 'worsened'. This allows you to move through the narrative and explain how key themes like tension developed through the chosen event.
Was the American West Lawless in 1876?
The American West was lawless | The American West was not lawless |
|---|---|
The American Civil War meant that the federal government did not have sufficient resources to deal with law and order | Even in the worst cow towns, murder was rare |
A booming population meant that local law enforcement could not tackle the issue of law and order | Local communities worked together to catch and punish criminals |
People in towns often resorted to private police forces like the Pinkertons or a tough sheriff. This shows that the people of the American West did not trust proper law enforcement |
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