Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 3: Later developments in the West, c1876–c1895 - 2 Conflict and…
Full specification wording
Option P3: Key topic 3: Later developments in the West, c1876–c1895 - 2 Conflict and tension: Dealing with law and order, including sheriffs and marshals, including the significance of Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, the OK Corral (1881).
Law enforcement relied on federal US Marshals and local county sheriffs, but vast territories and underfunding made policing difficult.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Law enforcement relied on federal US Marshals and local county sheriffs, but vast territories and underfunding made policing difficult. This allowed outlaws like Billy the Kid to thrive. Billy became infamous during the Lincoln County War, highlighting the weakness of local justice and the influence of corrupt cattle barons. Wyatt Earp represented the blurred lines between lawmen and criminals. While his brother Virgil was the Deputy US Marshal and City Marshal in Tombstone, Wyatt assisted him. The Earp brothers clashed with the Clanton-McLaury gang at the OK Corral in 1881. This shootout demonstrated how personal vendettas and economic rivalries drove conflict, showing that formal law enforcement was frequently ineffective or compromised in the late 19th-century West.
What earns the marks
- Distinguish between the roles of US Marshals (federal) and sheriffs (county) in maintaining law and order.
- Explain how Billy the Kid's involvement in the Lincoln County War demonstrated the power of rival factions over formal law.
- Explain the events leading to the gunfight at the OK Corral in 1881, including the rivalry between the Earps and the Cowboys.
- Analyse the significance of Wyatt Earp as an example of lawmen who used their positions for personal or factional gain.
- Evaluate the overall effectiveness of law enforcement in the West during this period.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming Wyatt Earp was a flawless hero.
Put it right by explaining his controversial methods and personal rivalries, showing the blurred line between lawman and outlaw.
Believing Billy the Kid was just a random bank robber.
Put it right by linking him to the Lincoln County War and the struggle between rival business factions.
Stating Wyatt Earp was the Deputy US Marshal at the OK Corral.
Put it right by noting his brother Virgil held this federal position, while Wyatt assisted him.
Exam tips
- Use the OK Corral shootout to illustrate the broader theme of conflict between different economic groups.
- When evaluating law and order, mention the geographical and financial limitations that hindered sheriffs and marshals.
- Billy the Kid is an excellent example to use when explaining why outlaws gained sympathy from local populations who resented wealthy cattle barons.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P3: Key topic 3: Later developments in the West, c1876–c1895 - 2 Conflict and tension: Dealing with law and order, including sheriffs and marshals, including the significance of Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, the OK Corral (1881). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which famous lawman was a key participant in the gunfight at the OK Corral in 1881?
Listen
Law enforcement relied on federal US Marshals and local county sheriffs, but vast territories and underfunding made policing difficult. This allowed outlaws like Billy the Kid to thrive. Billy became infamous during the Lincoln County War, highlighting the weakness of local justice and the influence of corrupt cattle barons. Wyatt Earp represented the blurred lines between lawmen and criminals. While his brother Virgil was the Deputy US Marshal and City Marshal in Tombstone, Wyatt assisted him. The Earp brothers clashed with the Clanton-McLaury gang at the OK Corral in 1881. This shootout demonstrated how personal vendettas and economic rivalries drove conflict, showing that formal law enforcement was frequently ineffective or compromised in the late 19th-century West. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Distinguish between the roles of US Marshals (federal) and sheriffs (county) in maintaining law and order. Explain how Billy the Kid's involvement in the Lincoln County War demonstrated the power of rival factions over formal law. Explain the events leading to the gunfight at the OK Corral in 1881, including the rivalry between the Earps and the Cowboys. Analyse the significance of Wyatt Earp as an example of lawmen who used their positions for personal or factional gain. A common slip: Assuming Wyatt Earp was a flawless hero. Instead, explaining his controversial methods and personal rivalries, showing the blurred line between lawman and outlaw. Exam tip: Use the OK Corral shootout to illustrate the broader theme of conflict between different economic groups.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Law and order
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Corruption and justice
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Economic rivalry
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The myth versus reality of the Wild West
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Law and order
- Maintaining it relied on federal US Marshals and local county sheriffs, but vast territories and underfunding made policing difficult.
- Corruption and justice
- Local justice was weak and corrupt cattle barons held influence, as shown when Billy the Kid became infamous during the Lincoln County War.
- Economic rivalry
- Personal vendettas and economic rivalries drove conflict, as demonstrated by the shootout at the OK Corral in 1881.
- The myth versus reality of the Wild West
- Wyatt Earp represented the blurred lines between lawmen and criminals, showing that formal law enforcement was frequently ineffective or compromised.
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