Howstuffworks "Westward Expansion in America Videos"

browse videos in the west

Next >

Sort by:

Colonizing the US West: North US Land (1:42)

In the late 1700s, Spain, Britain, Russia, and the United States were all trying to expand their control of western North America.

Colonizing the US West: Spanish North America (2:15)

Students learn about Spain's colonization of the southwest, including the creation of Spanish missions to spread the empire's control.

Colonizing the US West: Spanish Missions (9:31)

La Purisima Concepcion is an example of a typical Spanish mission in California. Learn about life on the mission 200 years ago and the roles of the padres and American Indians.

Colonizing the US West: The Louisiana Purchase (1:45)

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson almost doubled the size of the United States by purchasing the Louisiana Territory from France.

Colonizing the US West: Russians Move South (2:02)

Students learn about Russia's efforts to expand its colonial holdings southward in North America from Alaska into the Pacific Northwest.

Next >

recently added

Americans on the Move: Settlers Expand the Land (4:24)

Westward expansion of the U.S., including Texas' struggle for independence from Mexico, the California gold rush and the Mormon settlement of Utah, is discussed in this chapter.

Americans on the Move: Trail of Tears (4:29)

This video examines the impact of Western expansion on the Cherokee Indians. The removal of the Cherokees from their native lands and the Trail of Tears are also discussed.

Americans on the Move: James Monroe and Andrew Jackson (3:12)

James Monroe's presidency is known for the Monroe Doctrine, while Andrew Jackson's presidency is remembered for the Indian Removal Act and the power struggle between state and federal governments.

America's Prairie: Preservation and Restoration (6:53)

Americans are beginning to realize the importance of preserving the prairie lands.

America's Prairie: Human Impact (3:52)

The railroad and the creation of new technology made farming in the prairie possible. However, the cost to the ecology of the prairie was great; the diversity of the animal population suffered.

America's Prairie: Farming the Prairie (3:56)

The settlers faced great hardships farming the prairie. The advancement of farming technology made settlement of The Great American Desert easier, but the cost to the ecosystem was great.