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Essentials: Settlement

A series of films exploring the diverse history of settlement and movement of people in the U.S. Suitable for Middle and High School.

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Season 1

The Transcontinental Railroad

The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, revolutionized coast-to-coast travel in the United States. But this progress came at a significant cost to Indigenous Peoples, impacting their lands and way of life.

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210. The Transcontinental Railroad

The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, revolutionized coast-to-coast travel in the United States. But this progress came at a significant cost to Indigenous Peoples, impacting their lands and way of life.

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Transportation and Communication Innovations

Throughout the 1800s, innovations in transport and communication, from canals to the telegraph, bridged geographical distances and made it faster to move people, produce and post.

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207. Transportation and Communication Innovations

Throughout the 1800s, innovations in transport and communication, from canals to the telegraph, bridged geographical distances and made it faster to move people, produce and post.

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Trails of the West

In the 1800s, as the United States expanded, thousands travelled well-worn trails on foot and horseback in search of land and opportunity, often at the expense of Indigenous Peoples.

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206. Trails of the West

In the 1800s, as the United States expanded, thousands travelled well-worn trails on foot and horseback in search of land and opportunity, often at the expense of Indigenous Peoples.

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The Gadsden Purchase

In 1853, the United States paid Mexico $10 million for less than 30,000 square miles of land, facilitating the completion of a Southern transcontinental railroad and decades of economic growth.

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205. The Gadsden Purchase

In 1853, the United States paid Mexico $10 million for less than 30,000 square miles of land, facilitating the completion of a Southern transcontinental railroad and decades of economic growth.

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The First Great Migration

The Great Migration saw over a million African Americans relocate from the South to urban areas in the North, sparking significant cultural and social change.

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178. The First Great Migration

The Great Migration saw over a million African Americans relocate from the South to urban areas in the North, sparking significant cultural and social change.

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Territorial Expansion of the United States

Since its birth, the United States has acquired new territories through purchase, conflict and annexation. New territories ensured the country’s growth, but often at the expense of Indigenous peoples.

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177. Territorial Expansion of the United States

Since its birth, the United States has acquired new territories through purchase, conflict and annexation. New territories ensured the country’s growth, but often at the expense of Indigenous peoples.

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The Oklahoma Land Rush

The 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush triggered one of the largest migrations in U.S. history, as tens of thousands vied for new land, impacting Indigenous sovereignty and shaping the state.

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176. The Oklahoma Land Rush

The 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush triggered one of the largest migrations in U.S. history, as tens of thousands vied for new land, impacting Indigenous sovereignty and shaping the state.

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U.S. Settlement: Growth and Conflict

The mid-1800s saw diverse groups moving into the American interior. While this fueled U.S. growth, it also displaced Indigenous peoples, whose struggles continue today.

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175. U.S. Settlement: Growth and Conflict

The mid-1800s saw diverse groups moving into the American interior. While this fueled U.S. growth, it also displaced Indigenous peoples, whose struggles continue today.

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Slavery in the United States: 1619-1820

Between 1619 and 1820, slavery shaped America, driving economic growth while deepening divisions between North and South, highlighting a stark contradiction in the nation’s ideals.

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140. Slavery in the United States: 1619-1820

Between 1619 and 1820, slavery shaped America, driving economic growth while deepening divisions between North and South, highlighting a stark contradiction in the nation’s ideals.

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Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange, a vast system of international trade, changed global commerce forever. Named after famous explorer Christopher Columbus, it reshaped diets, economies, and societies across continents.

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105. Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange, a vast system of international trade, changed global commerce forever. Named after famous explorer Christopher Columbus, it reshaped diets, economies, and societies across continents.

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The Slave Trade

The Triangular Trade was a complex system of human trafficking spanning three continents. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, it saw millions of Africans transported to the Americas.

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104. The Slave Trade

The Triangular Trade was a complex system of human trafficking spanning three continents. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, it saw millions of Africans transported to the Americas.

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Indigenous Peoples in North America: West

Indigenous Peoples have thrived across the western portion of present day United States for more than 10,000 years, forming hundreds of distinct cultures and Nations. In this video, learn about the Inuit, Chinook, and Pueblo Nations.

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73. Indigenous Peoples in North America: West

Indigenous Peoples have thrived across the western portion of present day United States for more than 10,000 years, forming hundreds of distinct cultures and Nations. In this video, learn about the Inuit, Chinook, and Pueblo Nations.

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Indigenous Peoples in North America: East

Indigenous Peoples have thrived across the eastern portion of present day United States for more than 10,000 years, forming hundreds of distinct cultures and Nations. In this video learn about the Wampanoag, Anishinaabeg, and Cherokee Nations.

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72. Indigenous Peoples in North America: East

Indigenous Peoples have thrived across the eastern portion of present day United States for more than 10,000 years, forming hundreds of distinct cultures and Nations. In this video learn about the Wampanoag, Anishinaabeg, and Cherokee Nations.

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French and Dutch Exploration in North America

European explorers like Columbus, Cartier, and Hudson claimed territories in the Americas for Spain, France, and the Netherlands, leading to European expansion at the expense of indigenous communities.

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70. French and Dutch Exploration in North America

European explorers like Columbus, Cartier, and Hudson claimed territories in the Americas for Spain, France, and the Netherlands, leading to European expansion at the expense of indigenous communities.

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Spanish Exploration in North America

Spanish Conquistadors, from Columbus to Cortés, reshaped the Americas, immensely impacting Indigenous communities and laying the groundwork for today's nations.

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69. Spanish Exploration in North America

Spanish Conquistadors, from Columbus to Cortés, reshaped the Americas, immensely impacting Indigenous communities and laying the groundwork for today's nations.

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English Explorers

Explorers like John Cabot, Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake played pivotal roles in England's exploration of North America, laying the foundations for settlements that would ultimately dispossess countless Indigenous Peoples.

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68. English Explorers

Explorers like John Cabot, Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake played pivotal roles in England's exploration of North America, laying the foundations for settlements that would ultimately dispossess countless Indigenous Peoples.

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New England Colonies

What was life like in the New England Colonies? Explore the transformation of New England from a harsh Pilgrim settlement to a revolutionary hotbed, encompassing conflict, cooperation and the quest for freedom.

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60. New England Colonies

What was life like in the New England Colonies? Explore the transformation of New England from a harsh Pilgrim settlement to a revolutionary hotbed, encompassing conflict, cooperation and the quest for freedom.

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Middle Colonies

What was life like in the Middle Colonies? Learn how this region of diverse cultures, fertile lands and significant historical events shaped America's early days and influenced its foundational principles.

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59. Middle Colonies

What was life like in the Middle Colonies? Learn how this region of diverse cultures, fertile lands and significant historical events shaped America's early days and influenced its foundational principles.

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The Southern Colonies

What was life like in the Southern Colonies? Explore this region’s unique history, from the founding of Jamestown to their complex social, political and economic legacy.

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58. The Southern Colonies

What was life like in the Southern Colonies? Explore this region’s unique history, from the founding of Jamestown to their complex social, political and economic legacy.

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Economies of the 13 British Colonies

The 13 British colonies used their diverse regions and resources for trade, leading to prosperity, but ultimately tensions with Britain contributed to the American quest for independence.

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57. Economies of the 13 British Colonies

The 13 British colonies used their diverse regions and resources for trade, leading to prosperity, but ultimately tensions with Britain contributed to the American quest for independence.

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Massachusetts Bay Colony

In 1630, around 1,000 Puritans left England behind for a new start in the New World. Against all odds, they managed to make a success of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. But how did they do it and what impact did it have on our nation?

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56. Massachusetts Bay Colony

In 1630, around 1,000 Puritans left England behind for a new start in the New World. Against all odds, they managed to make a success of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. But how did they do it and what impact did it have on our nation?

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In 1607, settlers founded Jamestown, the first English colony in North America. Its emphasis on democracy influenced the founding principles of the United States.

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In 1607, settlers founded Jamestown, the first English colony in North America. Its emphasis on democracy influenced the founding principles of the United States.

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Historic North America

Prehistory – the time before we had written records – is filled with many unanswered questions. But by studying old objects, like tools and bones, scientists have found clues about North America's earliest inhabitants.

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54. Historic North America

Prehistory – the time before we had written records – is filled with many unanswered questions. But by studying old objects, like tools and bones, scientists have found clues about North America's earliest inhabitants.

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Colonial Williamsburg

A restored and reconstructed 18th century city, Colonial Williamsburg recreates many of the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial life. But what was its significance in revolutionary Virginia?

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25. Colonial Williamsburg

A restored and reconstructed 18th century city, Colonial Williamsburg recreates many of the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial life. But what was its significance in revolutionary Virginia?

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Slavery in the Colonies

Liberty is a founding principle of the United States, but many of the people who helped build the North American colonies were not free. The resilience of enslaved people and their contributions to what would become the United States cannot be erased from history.

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11. Slavery in the Colonies

Liberty is a founding principle of the United States, but many of the people who helped build the North American colonies were not free. The resilience of enslaved people and their contributions to what would become the United States cannot be erased from history.

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Women in the Colonies

Life for women in the Thirteen Colonies varied hugely depending on religion, ethnicity and location. Explore the day to day lives of Puritans, Quakers, indentured servants and enslaved women in Colonial North America.

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10. Women in the Colonies

Life for women in the Thirteen Colonies varied hugely depending on religion, ethnicity and location. Explore the day to day lives of Puritans, Quakers, indentured servants and enslaved women in Colonial North America.

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