The Annihilation of the American West

The phrase "The Annihilation of the American West" often refers to the extensive destruction and disruption of Western lands caused by colonization, expansion, and resource extraction. It encompasses the displacement of Indigenous peoples, environmental degradation from mining, logging, and agriculture, and the loss of wild ecosystems. This process was driven by economic motives and national growth ambitions, leading to the eradication of many native habitats and cultures. Overall, it signifies a period of profound transformation where the natural and cultural landscapes of the American West were dramatically altered, often at great ecological and societal cost.