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The West

Empire Upon the Trails

Season 1996 Episode 2 | 1hr 24m 31s

Americans head west along many pathways -- following the fur trade into the mountains, fighting for self-determination in Texas, seeking religious freedom in Utah or a better life along the Oregon Trail. But whatever direction they travel, they move closer with every step to a “Manifest Destiny” that will make the West their own.

Aired: 09/14/96
Extras
Watch • 4:51
The West
The Role of Horses
The utilization of horses changed the way of life for Native American people forever.
Clip: 4:51
Watch • 3:42
The West
Extraordinary Landscape
The terrain of the West has always beckoned and repelled.
Clip: 3:42
Watch • 3:03
The West
Exploring The West
Explorers came to the West from every point of the compass.
Clip: 3:03
Watch • 1:24:33
The West
The Grandest Enterprise Under God
A triumph of the human spirit, the transcontinental railroad opens a new era in the West.
Episode: S1996 E5 | 1:24:33
Watch • 1:24:49
The West
Speck of the Future
The Gold Rush brings the whole world to the West.
Episode: S1996 E3 | 1:24:49
Watch • 1:24:47
The West
Death Runs Riot
Civil war comes early to the West.
Episode: S1996 E4 | 1:24:47
Watch • 1:25:06
The West
Fight No More Forever
The federal government tightens its grip on the West.
Episode: S1996 E6 | 1:25:06
Watch • 1:22:20
The West
The People
The West begins as the whole world to the people who live there. It becomes a New World.
Episode: S1996 E1 | 1:22:20
Watch • 1:24:53
The West
The Geography of Hope
Newcomers arrive by the millions, bringing a spirit of conformity to the West.
Episode: S1996 E7 | 1:24:53
Watch • 1:02:58
The West
One Sky Above Us
As the 20th century neared, Americans celebrated with the World Columbian Exposition.
Episode: S1996 E9 | 1:02:58
Latest Episodes
Watch • 1:24:33
The West
The Grandest Enterprise Under God
A triumph of the human spirit, the transcontinental railroad opens a new era in the West.
Episode: S1996 E5 | 1:24:33
Watch • 1:24:49
The West
Speck of the Future
The Gold Rush brings the whole world to the West.
Episode: S1996 E3 | 1:24:49
Watch • 1:24:47
The West
Death Runs Riot
Civil war comes early to the West.
Episode: S1996 E4 | 1:24:47
Watch • 1:25:06
The West
Fight No More Forever
The federal government tightens its grip on the West.
Episode: S1996 E6 | 1:25:06
Watch • 1:22:20
The West
The People
The West begins as the whole world to the people who live there. It becomes a New World.
Episode: S1996 E1 | 1:22:20
Watch • 1:24:53
The West
The Geography of Hope
Newcomers arrive by the millions, bringing a spirit of conformity to the West.
Episode: S1996 E7 | 1:24:53
Watch • 1:02:58
The West
One Sky Above Us
As the 20th century neared, Americans celebrated with the World Columbian Exposition.
Episode: S1996 E9 | 1:02:58
Watch • 58:38
The West
Ghost Dance
As settlers race to claim tribal lands, Native Americans take up the Ghost Dance.
Episode: S1996 E8 | 58:38