Wild West Shows

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Shows in the Wild West Wild West shows were celebrations of the achievement of the frontier movement as being the most important accomplishment in American history. The shows were a combination of history, patriotism, and adventure that combined to form the spirit of the west and capture America’s hearts, and even the hearts of the Europeans. Action was a main focus of the shows, wild animals, trick performers, theatrical reenactments, and all sorts of characters from the frontier. Even battle scenes were reenacted of the famous western hunts. The Wild West show originated from the interest shown by the east of the rough and wild western frontier. Many people were wildly curious about the mass of lands that were barely populated and the Wild West shows opened a window to curb the curiosity. The shows brought the untamed way of life of the West to the eyes of eager audiences. During the 20th century was when the shows were extremely popular and brought over 10,000,000 spectators and a profit of $100,000. Easterners were extremely attracted to the Wild West shows and couldn’t get enough of the unruly lifestyle they portrayed, enjoying the thrill and nature of the West and satisfying their need of adventure. Wild West shows weren’t a monopoly, there were dozens of them scattered across the states and Europe, yet out of all of the shows that came to be, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show was the most successful by far. When Wild West shows were created so was Cody, an infamous myth of a man who helped to pitch in to give the West the image we now associate it with. Shooting competitions and displays of marksmanship were commonly a part of the program, where great feats of skill were shown using rifles, shot guns, and revolvers. Animals were also a big part of the show, with buffalos parading in and creating the element of a stampede. Rodeo was also a part of the shows,

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