History of The American West

Study the American West using Online Video

Learn about how the belief in Manifest Destiny and the dreams of fortune-seekers forged the western frontier. Use these 3 online educational video titles to learn how the mythic West popularized in literature and movies differ from the West of historical fact. Examine the heavy-handed methods used by the government to acquire western lands, the failed dreams of pioneers and gold prospectors, and the brutal clashes between white settlers and Native Americans.

Learning Objectives:

• Survey the development of the mythical western hero as portrayed in literature and on-screen, from Natty Bumppo to the Virginian to Shane and the Lone Ranger.
• Understand the hardships of life faced by settlers on the frontier Gain insight to the heavy-handed methods used by the U.S. government to acquire western lands; the brutal clashes between white settlers and Native Americans; and the failed dreams of pioneers and gold prospectors.
• Explore legends that grew up around the real-life exploits of frontiersmen such as Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, and Kit Carson.

• History > American History > The American West
• The Myths (Runtime: 15:02)
• The Reality (Runtime: 20:14)
• A Blurred Image (Runtime: 16:43)