# America Story of Us | Episode 2: Westward

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uckcR0ZI_2Q

[00:10] a new country heads West with new Heroes
[00:18] a new country heads West with new Heroes and a new
[00:20] and a new enemy the American
[00:23] enemy the American wilderness the Pioneers face incredible
[00:27] wilderness the Pioneers face incredible hardship but their battles Forge the
[00:30] hardship but their battles Forge the American
[00:31] American character and build the new American
[00:40] Nation we are pioneers and
[00:44] Nation we are pioneers and Trailblazers We Fight For
[00:47] Trailblazers We Fight For Freedom we transform our dreams into the
[00:52] Freedom we transform our dreams into the truth our struggles will become a nation
[01:05] 300 Million Years BC a meteorite the size of Central Park.
[01:14] BC a meteorite the size of Central Park hurdles towards Earth with the force of 100,000 atomic.
[01:21] Earth with the force of 100,000 atomic bombs it smashes into the Appalachian.
[01:26] bombs it smashes into the Appalachian Mountains the Cumberland.
[01:28] Mountains the Cumberland Gap when a America passes through this.
[01:31] Gap when a America passes through this Gateway and conquers what lies.
[01:33] Gateway and conquers what lies Beyond a colony will become a.
[01:37] Beyond a colony will become a continent I think Americans have always.
[01:40] continent I think Americans have always been have been Pioneers for a nation of.
[01:43] been have been Pioneers for a nation of adventurers and explorers we are always.
[01:46] adventurers and explorers we are always moving forward and we're always dealing.
[01:48] moving forward and we're always dealing with problems not ignoring.
[01:56] them 1775 land west of the Cumberland Gap.
[02:00] 1775 land west of the Cumberland Gap belongs to a patchwork of foreign.
[02:01] belongs to a patchwork of foreign superpowers Britain France Spain the
[02:06] Superpowers Britain, France, Spain, the rest occupied by hundreds of Native.
[02:08] Rest occupied by hundreds of Native American tribes.
[02:15] 3,000 mi of fertile land, millions of acres for anyone who can conquer it.
[02:20] Tribes 3,000 mi of fertile land, millions of acres for anyone who can conquer it.
[02:25] Riches too, thousands of tons of gold.
[02:29] It riches too, thousands of tons of gold and silver.
[02:36] But this land is also brutal.
[02:39] But this land is also brutal wilderness, conquering it requires extraordinary people.
[02:41] Wilderness conquering it requires extraordinary people.
[02:47] People March.
[02:50] 1775 Daniel.
[02:53] 1775 Daniel Boom.
[02:55] Boom Woodsman.
[02:57] Woodsman Hunter Freedom Fighter.
[03:01] Hunter Freedom Fighter Explorer.
[03:04] Dreamer K man keep clearing cut it.
[03:06] Dreamer K. Man, keep clearing, cut it through, coming through here, Boon and his.
[03:09] Coming through here, Boon and his 30 men slash through the Cumberland.
[03:12] 30 men slash through the Cumberland Gap on a mission to tap the riches.
[03:16] I'm comut it through, we coming through here.
[03:18] Before us lay the finest body of land in the world.
[03:20] With which little exertion we can call our own.
[03:22] One day, thousands will desire this land, and we will be rich.
[03:26] But Boon's journey into the Western Wilderness is also a journey into the.
[03:32] American Soul.
[03:34] The frontier is a crucible where America will define itself and forge its.
[03:36] True character.
[03:38] The king of England has outlawed any western expansion.
[03:41] Illegal settlers rounded up and punished.
[03:44] Boon's already fought the British back East, now he's defying them again.
[03:46] Daniel Boone was that first great action hero for America.
[03:48] America wanted to see itself that way.
[03:51] I think they.
[04:08] to see itself that way I think they wanted to see themselves as fiercely independent uh very capable and and willing to go places most human beings wouldn't have gone come on man this way Boon and his men take no supplies come on come on
[04:30] survival conjured from the land be grease insect repellent wasp larvey food come on come on Boon records in his journal we're exposed daily to Peril and death among Savages and wild beasts but nature satisfies all we need few experience the happiness we feel here in the howling wilderness
[05:00] but for the Shaun this is not Wilderness it is home and they will defend
[05:10] It at all.
[05:15] Costs good work, John.
[05:19] Good work these areas that seemed like work these areas that seemed like wilderness to the Americans weren't wilderness to the Americans weren't wilderness to these American Indian.
[05:25] Wilderness to these American Indian people, there was just their lands.
[05:31] Daniel Boon and the Shauni have.
[05:34] Daniel Boon and the Shauni have history only the year before they.
[05:36] History only the year before they kidnapped his eldest son.
[05:39] Kidnapped his eldest son.
[05:43] James and tortured him to death.
[05:52] On the 25th of March, 1775, Boon crosses into Shauni territory.
[06:03] In mountains for 8.
[06:06] In mountains for 8 days we were able to survive on this for.
[06:46] Rifles ambushed. Boon must flee.
[06:51] His friend Captain Twit and his slave Sam are both scalped and slaughtered.
[07:02] But Boon pushes on further west.
[07:06] Well, I think more than anything the American character is perseverance.
[07:13] They persevered. They fought. It wasn't easy against great odds, but they have persevered.
[07:21] Boon's friend and companion, Felix Walker, writes he conducted the company through the wilderness with such bravery indeed.
[07:31] He appeared void of fear with too little caution for the.
[07:36] Caution for the.
[07:42] Enterprise 50 of Boon's men die settling.
[07:45] Enterprise 50 of Boon's men die settling Kentucky but within 20 years 200,000.
[07:49] Kentucky but within 20 years 200,000 Americans pour in behind him.
[07:52] we were a burgeoning society.
[07:57] suddenly we realized whoa the owner's manual says this is all ours keep going.
[08:11] West Land hunger becomes a.
[08:15] West Land hunger becomes a fever even for the government.
[08:18] 1803 27 years after Independence the single biggest real estate deal in history president Thomas.
[08:22] Independence the single biggest real estate deal in history president Thomas Jefferson buys the vast Louisiana.
[08:24] estate deal in history president Thomas Jefferson buys the vast Louisiana territories from Napoleon.
[08:27] Jefferson buys the vast Louisiana territories from Napoleon half a billion acres for 3.
[08:29] territories from Napoleon half a billion acres for 3 cents an.
[08:36] acre just as America will one day go to acre.
[08:39] just as America will one day go to the moon now a mission into this unknown.
[08:47] Lewis and Clark want to see unknown.
[08:50] Lewis and Clark want to see what's on the other what's on the other side.
[08:52] given a mountain we want to climb side.
[08:56] given a mountain we want to climb it.
[09:00] we hold those it.
[09:06] we hold those venturers of the past uh in great admiration.
[09:08] May 1804 a presidential Aid and a junior.
[09:11] 1804 a presidential Aid and a junior army officer set out on a mapping Expedition.
[09:15] Merryweather Lewis and Expedition.
[09:18] Merryweather Lewis and William Clark's journey is about to.
[09:20] William Clark's journey is about to become one of the most epic Tales of.
[09:21] become one of the most epic Tales of survival in American.
[09:23] survival in American.
[09:26] history the Rockies.
[09:30] history the Rockies unknown mythical even woolly mammoth are.
[09:34] unknown mythical even woolly mammoth are fabled to roam.
[09:38] Here treacherous too no one expects the.
[09:42] Here treacherous too no one expects the Rockies to be 90 separate mountain.
[09:44] Rockies to be 90 separate mountain ranges 3,000 M long.
[09:47] Ranges 3,000 M long they're caught in a death trap.
[09:52] Trap after 2 weeks starvation sets in.
[09:57] In they eat any plants they can find.
[10:00] Fine next they eat their horses.
[10:03] Horses the Expedition is given up as dead.
[10:08] But they survive.
[10:11] But they survive and they owe their survival to a 16-year-old Native American girl.
[10:13] Girl Saka go of the Shani Nation guides them.
[10:16] Guides them finds wild food and saves their precious million word journals from an overturn.
[10:19] Precious million word journals from an overturn canoe.
[10:23] In 1805 William Clark notes in his.
[10:39] Canoe in 1805 William Clark notes in his journal ocean in journal ocean in view oh the joy they are the first new Americans to joy they are the first new Americans to reach the Pacific Ocean over land.
[10:55] Lewis and Clark's remarkable land Lewis and Clark's remarkable Expedition discover numers 300 species Expedition discover numers 300 species of wildlife transforming science and of wildlife transforming science and agriculture but their journals record an agriculture but their journals record an even greater Discovery one that will even greater Discovery one that will Forge a whole new breed of American Heroes.
[11:18] America East and Heroes America East and West the pioneering Spirit of Americans West the pioneering Spirit of Americans has busted the continent wide open.
[11:32] Lewis and Clark's heroic Expedition Lewis and Clark's heroic Expedition through the Rockies uncovers a route to through the Rockies uncovers a route to the West's most valuable the West's most valuable commodity.
[11:42] Beaver their pelts Frontier hard.
[11:46] Beaver their pelts Frontier hard currency traded by Native Americans for.
[11:48] currency traded by Native Americans for guns knives salt and they're a high.
[11:52] guns knives salt and they're a high fashioned luxury for the.
[11:56] fashioned luxury for the rich they've been hunted nearly to.
[11:58] rich they've been hunted nearly to Extinction in Europe.
[12:01] Europe here they're everywhere millions of them the freezing.
[12:05] everywhere millions of them the freezing Rocky Mountain Water makes the beaver.
[12:07] Rocky Mountain Water makes the beaver pelts thicker warmer more expensive than.
[12:10] pelts thicker warmer more expensive than other.
[12:13] fur new iron traps from New York.
[12:16] fur new iron traps from New York foundries make catching them.
[12:19] foundries make catching them easier baited with the beaver's own.
[12:22] easier baited with the beaver's own scent glands they're drawn to their.
[12:24] scent glands they're drawn to their death.
[12:27] death.
[12:30] [Music].
[12:32] October.
[12:32] October 1823 300 eager Trappers roam the Rockies.
[12:36] 1823 300 eager Trappers roam the Rockies searching for their Fortune.
[12:40] searching for their Fortune One in five won't make it out.
[12:41] won't make it out alive trappings harsh hungry work 6,000.
[12:46] Alive trappings harsh hungry work 6,000 calories a day are needed to survive the.
[12:48] Calories a day are needed to survive the extreme conditions three times what we eat.
[12:53] Today Jedadiah Smith is the greatest hunter of all.
[12:56] 24 years old he walks up to 1,000 miles in the Rockies each year.
[13:04] Traps 600 pelts in a season.
[13:08] 3 years pay back.
[13:10] East Smith is a devout Christian.
[13:14] Doesn't drink, doesn't smoke.
[13:18] Bible and gun a constant companion.
[13:19] He's smart, works with the Native Americans.
[13:23] The Crow show him ancient shortcuts, sell him horses, nurse his sick man and back to health.
[13:33] Wilderness survival for millennia.
[13:36] The tribes of North America have adapted themselves to live in any condition from arid plains to harsh mountain.
[13:49] Pass Jed Smith uses their knowledge and his skill to open up the West for vast fur trapping profits.
[13:58] fur trapping profits.
[14:00] he'll die a rich man but today he's not the hunter he's the hunted.
[14:24] Jed Smith's friend James kimman writes the Grizzly did not hesitate springing on the captain breaking his ribs and cutting his head.
[14:44] this gave us a lesson on the
[14:51] Head, this gave us a lesson on the character of the grizzly, which we did.
[14:54] Character of the grizzly, which we did not forget.
[15:00] The grizzly bear is the most deadly.
[15:02] The grizzly bear is the most deadly frontier.
[15:03] Frontier beast, 100,000 of these terrifying.
[15:05] Beast, 100,000 of these terrifying killers are on the prowl, up to 10 ft.
[15:09] Killers are on the prowl, up to 10 ft tall, 1,000.
[15:11] Tall, 1,000 lb, they don't fear.
[15:14] lb, they don't fear man.
[15:19] Yet today there are fewer than 2,000.
[15:23] Yet today there are fewer than 2,000 grizzlies in the Rockies.
[15:27] Rockies, halfway to death. Jed Smith's.
[15:30] Right-hand man, James Kimman, stitches his scalp and ear back to his head.
[15:32] Head, I put in my needle, stitching it.
[15:36] Head, I put in my needle, stitching it through and through and over and over.
[15:38] Through and through and over and over, laying the lacerated parts together as.
[15:41] Laying the lacerated parts together as nice as I.
[15:43] Could, there was an amazing sense of of confidence.
[15:46] Could, there was an amazing sense of of confidence, that's part of that American.
[15:52] confidence that's part of that American uh spirit that doesn't um even think.
[15:58] uh spirit that doesn't um even think.
[16:07] failing Jed Smith pushes.
[16:11] on this is the new character of America.
[16:15] Frontier grit rugged individualism.
[16:17] survival and something else survives.
[16:24] survival and something else survives too the trails he forges become settler paths wagon trains RADS and today.
[16:32] Interstate 15 and Americans follow the new tracks.
[16:39] West in a tidal wave of Hope May.
[16:57] 1846 thousand of men women and
[17:01] 1846 thousand of men women and
[17:05] children riding walking pushing they're
[17:10] children riding walking pushing they're heading for a new life 2,000 M away it
[17:14] was a land of opportunity you can make
[17:16] of yourself what you want you're only
[17:18] held back by your own desires Germans
[17:21] belgians French Catholics Presbyterians
[17:27] Mormons one of the world great mass
[17:29] migrations
[17:34] Begins the Pioneer Spirit has moved on
[17:38] in this colossal migration to Oregon and
[17:41] California America will finally Define
[17:44] its
[17:48] character it's the American dream then
[17:51] as now the people want an already good
[17:54] life to get better
[18:00] They can walk 10 m a day for up to 6 months straight.
[18:03] Some go through 10 pairs of boots.
[18:06] Each half are children on Route One.
[18:12] Five of the women are pregnant.
[18:15] But these aren't America's poor families.
[18:17] Sell farms, save for 5 years to join The Exodus, risking it all.
[18:30] I think if there is one episode that encapsulates the American Spirit, I think it is probably the move west.
[18:36] Whip those mules and horses and cross those rivers.
[18:40] And cross over those mountains to the unknown and say, 'I'm leaving everything behind.'
[18:45] I'm leaving everything that I know behind to reinvent myself.
[18:51] A wagon and oxen cost at least $8,000 in today's money.
[18:54] But it buys a complete life support.
[19:05] machine the wagons carry a precious machine the wagons carry a precious cargo 1,000 lbs of supplies and a grub steak for your journey your entire New Life In The West the pioneering spirit is ingenious essential drinking water captured from rain on the wagon Canvas even the oxen's dung is fuel for fires and like today there are tolls Native Americans charge $10 for Road and $100 for River Crossings in modern money but the greatest toll of all human lives in all 20,000 Americans will die reaching the West 10 Graves for every mile but one story of suffering and death will show just how far the Pioneers will go to conquer the
[20:18] West June
[20:24] 1846 a wagon train heads West
[20:31] its leader is George Donner good luck
[20:33] its leader is George Donner good luck let's catch you when we break down
[20:35] let's catch you when we break down what's
[20:37] good good now
[20:40] good good now push his wife Tams and Donner is a
[20:43] push his wife Tams and Donner is a school
[20:46] teacher yes okay but on the trail women
[20:49] teacher yes okay but on the trail women must turn their hands to
[20:56] anything the Donner Party are halfway
[20:58] anything the Donner Party are halfway across the blistering Wyoming
[21:00] across the blistering Wyoming Prairie miles from the nearest doctor
[21:04] Prairie miles from the nearest doctor with barely any
[21:05] with barely any [Music]
[21:07] [Music] water good yes okay I think the women
[21:11] water good yes okay I think the women who came across America in the early
[21:13] who came across America in the early days must have been made up of uh the
[21:17] days must have been made up of uh the strongest fiber possible it's
[21:21] strongest fiber possible it's unimaginable
[21:24] good
[21:27] good yes I
[21:31] [Music]
[21:40] yes the new American mother and father
[21:44] yes the new American mother and father are Philippine and Ludwig
[21:46] are Philippine and Ludwig [Music]
[21:51] kerberg they Christen their son Lewis
[21:57] [Music]
[22:08] [Music] the journey is
[22:10] the journey is tough but the Going's
[22:13] tough but the Going's good Tams and Donner writes in her
[22:16] good Tams and Donner writes in her journal I could never have believed we
[22:18] journal I could never have believed we could have traveled so far with so
[22:20] could have traveled so far with so little difficulty indeed if we do not
[22:23] little difficulty indeed if we do not experience anything worse I shall say
[22:25] experience anything worse I shall say the trouble is all in getting started
[22:28] the trouble is all in getting started [Music]
[22:38] but his leader of the Wagon Train
[22:40] but his leader of the Wagon Train tamson's husband George Donner is aware
[22:42] tamson's husband George Donner is aware there's one final obstacle to their
[22:48] Journey the Sierra
[22:52] Nevada Peaks up to 14,000 ft fail to
[22:57] Nevada Peaks up to 14,000 ft fail to clear the mountain passes before the
[22:58] clear the mountain passes before the first snowf Falls and the consequences
[23:01] first snowf Falls and the consequences are
[23:06] terrifying but as the Donner Party
[23:08] terrifying but as the Donner Party approaches Utah George Donner makes a
[23:11] approaches Utah George Donner makes a fateful decision leading a splinter
[23:13] fateful decision leading a splinter group off from the main
[23:19] [Music]
[23:21] [Music] party he's read one of the many new
[23:24] party he's read one of the many new Trail guide books showing a shortcut
[23:26] Trail guide books showing a shortcut that claims to shave two weeks off the
[23:28] that claims to shave two weeks off the journey
[23:29] journey time Hastings cut off is said to be a
[23:32] time Hastings cut off is said to be a saving of 400
[23:34] saving of 400 miles we are informed it is a fine level
[23:36] miles we are informed it is a fine level road with plenty of water and
[23:41] [Music]
[23:46] grass but Donner's information is wrong
[23:50] grass but Donner's information is wrong in fact the shortcut adds 100 miles to
[23:53] in fact the shortcut adds 100 miles to the journey
[24:00] [Music]
[24:03] [Music] high in the Sierra Nevada the Donner
[24:05] high in the Sierra Nevada the Donner Party enters the trucky
[24:10] [Music]
[24:12] [Music] pass there are only 30 miles from the
[24:15] pass there are only 30 miles from the California
[24:20] Plains but supplies are dangerously low
[24:23] Plains but supplies are dangerously low and traveling through the mountains is
[24:25] and traveling through the mountains is taking its toll
[24:29] [Music]
[24:30] [Music] [Applause]
[24:47] a broken
[24:49] axle the Doner party stops to make
[24:55] repairs but that night
[25:01] 5 ft of snow
[25:02] 5 ft of snow [Music]
[25:06] falls soon the drifts are 60 ft
[25:12] [Music]
[25:15] [Music] deep the Doner party will be stranded
[25:17] deep the Doner party will be stranded for 5
[25:22] months in just 3 weeks they've eaten all
[25:25] months in just 3 weeks they've eaten all their food
[25:27] their food [Music]
[25:31] [Music] then they kill their pack
[25:33] then they kill their pack [Music]
[25:38] animals next they eat charred
[25:41] animals next they eat charred bones Twigs bark leaves
[25:46] bones Twigs bark leaves dirt and
[25:49] dirt and worse even the wind held its breath as
[25:53] worse even the wind held its breath as the suggestion was made that were one to
[25:56] the suggestion was made that were one to die the rest might live
[26:00] [Music]
[26:08] [Music] cannibalism Christmas
[26:11] cannibalism Christmas 1846 they eat their first
[26:14] 1846 they eat their first [Music]
[26:18] [Music] human bodies are cut up flesh labeled so
[26:22] human bodies are cut up flesh labeled so people don't eat their own kin
[26:31] four rescue parties bring out some
[26:34] four rescue parties bring out some survivors the very last finds
[26:36] survivors the very last finds Philippines husband ludvig
[26:39] Philippines husband ludvig [Music]
[26:40] [Music] [Applause]
[26:42] [Applause] alone he is surrounded by
[26:45] alone he is surrounded by bones
[26:47] bones entrails and a 2 gallon kettle of human
[26:54] blood George Donner's body is found
[26:57] blood George Donner's body is found skull split open his brain
[27:02] removed Tams and Donner's body is never
[27:06] removed Tams and Donner's body is never [Music]
[27:16] [Music] found the pass is renamed the Donner
[27:20] found the pass is renamed the Donner Pass Testament to the hardship of the
[27:23] Pass Testament to the hardship of the Pioneers push
[27:25] Pioneers push West today it's the Lincoln Highway
[27:30] West today it's the Lincoln Highway thousands drive this road every
[27:36] year but beneath the bones of the Donner
[27:39] year but beneath the bones of the Donner Party the Sierra Nevada conceals a seam
[27:41] Party the Sierra Nevada conceals a seam of gold largest the world has yet
[27:47] [Music]
[27:50] [Music] seen Gold Fever is about to change the
[27:53] seen Gold Fever is about to change the west and the American character yet
[27:57] west and the American character yet again
[28:00] [Music]
[28:03] [Music] March
[28:05] March 1836 Texans the
[28:09] 1836 Texans the [Music]
[28:13] [Music] Alamo The American Nation is
[28:16] Alamo The American Nation is expanding growing stronger
[28:19] expanding growing stronger bigger but there's something else out
[28:21] bigger but there's something else out there even bigger even stronger Mexico a
[28:27] there even bigger even stronger Mexico a superpower
[28:29] superpower a colossal Empire stretching from Oregon
[28:32] a colossal Empire stretching from Oregon to
[28:35] Guatemala but Texas is disputed
[28:37] Guatemala but Texas is disputed territory The Mexican government has
[28:40] territory The Mexican government has invited American settlers in but are
[28:42] invited American settlers in but are soon overwhelmed by the flood of
[28:45] soon overwhelmed by the flood of pioneers Americans by the thousands were
[28:48] pioneers Americans by the thousands were coming into Texas and they were not
[28:51] coming into Texas and they were not abiding to the agreements to come in as
[28:54] abiding to the agreements to come in as settlers and once they outnumber by
[28:58] settlers and once they outnumber by 1835 Mexicans 10 to one in that area of
[29:03] 1835 Mexicans 10 to one in that area of course the Americans are thinking about
[29:10] independence the Alamo is where Mexico
[29:12] independence the Alamo is where Mexico tries to stem the
[29:14] tries to stem the flood in an old Spanish mission up to
[29:17] flood in an old Spanish mission up to 200 American settlers and their allies
[29:19] 200 American settlers and their allies are under attack
[29:23] [Music]
[29:29] attempting to retain control of Texas a
[29:31] attempting to retain control of Texas a Mexican Army storms the makeshift Fort a
[29:35] Mexican Army storms the makeshift Fort a 13-day Siege ends in a massacre 186
[29:39] 13-day Siege ends in a massacre 186 Defenders
[29:41] Defenders [Music]
[29:43] [Music] dead the shots that killed Davey
[29:45] dead the shots that killed Davey Crockett and his fellow settlers Echo
[29:47] Crockett and his fellow settlers Echo Across
[29:50] Across America the women and children are
[29:52] America the women and children are spared sent back to send the Mexican
[29:55] spared sent back to send the Mexican message don't come but America here's
[29:59] message don't come but America here's something else Remember the
[30:13] [Applause]
[30:15] [Applause] Alamo a turning point America will now
[30:18] Alamo a turning point America will now wage war to go
[30:20] wage war to go west Texas is one California fought and
[30:25] west Texas is one California fought and bought the same month California becomes
[30:27] bought the same month California becomes a American it becomes the nation's
[30:30] a American it becomes the nation's Greatest
[30:31] Greatest [Music]
[30:34] [Music] Prize volcanic
[30:36] Prize volcanic magma over millions of years in a fault
[30:40] magma over millions of years in a fault Zone beneath the Sierra Nevada Cooling
[30:42] Zone beneath the Sierra Nevada Cooling and pressure create
[30:47] quartz and within the quartz gold
[30:51] quartz and within the quartz gold [Music]
[31:02] the seam is one of the densest on the
[31:03] the seam is one of the densest on the Planet Rocks erode and the riches are
[31:06] Planet Rocks erode and the riches are [Music]
[31:17] released 1848 Carpenter James Marshall
[31:21] released 1848 Carpenter James Marshall finds a 3 o nugget in the California
[31:25] River two months pay in his hand
[31:29] River two months pay in his hand but billions of dollars beneath his
[31:34] feet news of Marshall's discovery
[31:37] feet news of Marshall's discovery spreads to every corner of the
[31:41] world in California you can taste the
[31:44] world in California you can taste the American
[31:46] American dream get rich
[31:49] dream get rich quick within a year 100,000 desperate
[31:53] quick within a year 100,000 desperate amateur Prospectors flood the Sierra
[31:56] amateur Prospectors flood the Sierra Foothills
[31:58] Foothills was the American dream distilled to its
[32:00] was the American dream distilled to its Essence take yourself and go out and try
[32:04] Essence take yourself and go out and try and make a success of
[32:07] it a Chinese prospector's 100 ounce
[32:10] it a Chinese prospector's 100 ounce strike in the Yuba
[32:13] strike in the Yuba River
[32:15] River $26,000 made by a single Irishman in
[32:17] $26,000 made by a single Irishman in Just 4
[32:21] days a $200,000 super seam mined by 12
[32:25] days a $200,000 super seam mined by 12 Mexicans at Bear Valley
[32:29] Mexicans at Bear Valley in the Port of San Francisco a plot of
[32:31] in the Port of San Francisco a plot of land worth $16 before the Gold Strike
[32:34] land worth $16 before the Gold Strike now changes hands for
[32:38] [Music]
[32:42] $45,000 in 2 years the population of
[32:45] $45,000 in 2 years the population of California explodes from 15,000 to
[32:54] 100,000 now hand panning is replaced by
[32:57] 100,000 now hand panning is replaced by lines of SL loose boxes desperately
[32:59] lines of SL loose boxes desperately combing for anything the first
[33:01] combing for anything the first Prospectors
[33:02] Prospectors [Applause]
[33:05] missed and the price of living
[33:09] missed and the price of living Rockets picks pans and shovels go from a
[33:13] Rockets picks pans and shovels go from a few cents to $10 a
[33:15] few cents to $10 a piece breakfast costs 10 times what it
[33:18] piece breakfast costs 10 times what it does back
[33:19] does back East but still the people
[33:26] come 200 100 abandoned ships in San
[33:29] come 200 100 abandoned ships in San Francisco Harbor the crews deserting
[33:32] Francisco Harbor the crews deserting rushing for the
[33:34] rushing for the hills he's traveled 6,000
[33:39] hills he's traveled 6,000 miles he spent all his money now he
[33:42] miles he spent all his money now he travels by
[33:44] travels by foot Belgian Jean Nicholas perau writes
[33:49] foot Belgian Jean Nicholas perau writes we crossed 200 miles of wilderness full
[33:52] we crossed 200 miles of wilderness full of Indians Bears Panthers wild cats
[33:55] of Indians Bears Panthers wild cats snakes of every kind
[34:02] the first thing he finds isn't gold it's
[34:09] Graves 200 of them Prospectors cut off
[34:13] Graves 200 of them Prospectors cut off by rains in the Foothills starve to
[34:18] by rains in the Foothills starve to death approaching we realized animals of
[34:21] death approaching we realized animals of some kind had dug up the bodies
[34:30] [Music]
[34:32] [Music] I read a note attached to one of the
[34:35] I read a note attached to one of the graves God has willed That civilization
[34:38] graves God has willed That civilization should begin in this place with this
[34:42] should begin in this place with this Duty which a man owes to his
[34:45] Duty which a man owes to his kind bury the
[34:56] dead foro does find gold but never in
[34:59] dead foro does find gold but never in the quantities that he
[35:02] the quantities that he dreamed as the gold fields are picked
[35:04] dreamed as the gold fields are picked clean tensions
[35:06] clean tensions rise times get
[35:12] tougher after just 6 years the Gold Rush
[35:16] tougher after just 6 years the Gold Rush is over I think that there is that
[35:19] is over I think that there is that Western uh mentality of prospecting uh
[35:23] Western uh mentality of prospecting uh try and fail try and fail and the fact
[35:25] try and fail try and fail and the fact that you tried is worthy in and of
[35:27] that you tried is worthy in and of itself
[35:30] of the 300,000 who rushed to find
[35:33] of the 300,000 who rushed to find gold less than one out of a 100 strike
[35:36] gold less than one out of a 100 strike it
[35:37] it rich but fortunes were made by the
[35:40] rich but fortunes were made by the merchants and land owners who supplied
[35:43] merchants and land owners who supplied the
[35:43] the miners from dirt and dreams came the
[35:46] miners from dirt and dreams came the great cities of
[35:48] great cities of [Music]
[35:52] California both the west and the
[35:55] California both the west and the American character that built it are
[35:57] American character that built it are settled
[35:58] settled now this new Powerhouse will face
[36:01] now this new Powerhouse will face another
[36:08] Revolution October
[36:11] Revolution October 1818 a 9-year-old boy Comforts his
[36:13] 1818 a 9-year-old boy Comforts his mother as she lies on her
[36:15] mother as she lies on her [Music]
[36:23] deathbed milk sickness kills thousands
[36:25] deathbed milk sickness kills thousands of pioneers every year
[36:28] of pioneers every year the cause White Snake root eaten by
[36:31] the cause White Snake root eaten by cattle the deadly poison passed in milk
[36:34] cattle the deadly poison passed in milk to
[36:35] to [Music]
[36:40] [Music] humans at 18 the boy becomes a man but
[36:44] humans at 18 the boy becomes a man but he has been working like a man for years
[36:46] he has been working like a man for years battling for existence in this harsh
[36:50] battling for existence in this harsh environment it was a wild region with
[36:53] environment it was a wild region with many bears and other wild animals still
[36:55] many bears and other wild animals still in the woods they there I grew up I had
[36:59] in the woods they there I grew up I had an axe in my hand from my e8th to my
[37:01] an axe in my hand from my e8th to my 20th
[37:03] 20th year this is the life of American
[37:05] year this is the life of American Settler
[37:08] Settler stock the young man's grandfather
[37:10] stock the young man's grandfather followed Daniel Boon's Wilderness Road
[37:12] followed Daniel Boon's Wilderness Road into
[37:14] into Kentucky his father pushed further into
[37:17] Kentucky his father pushed further into the Primeval forests of
[37:20] the Primeval forests of [Music]
[37:22] [Music] Indiana settler families of 10 or more
[37:25] Indiana settler families of 10 or more live in log cabins built from scratch
[37:28] live in log cabins built from scratch single room basic the trailer homes of
[37:31] single room basic the trailer homes of the
[37:35] day the Wilderness provides everything
[37:38] day the Wilderness provides everything they make their own plows rakes Forks
[37:41] they make their own plows rakes Forks shovels build their own
[37:44] shovels build their own furniture and they bury their
[37:47] furniture and they bury their dead in bad years malaria kills one in
[37:50] dead in bad years malaria kills one in eight of the
[37:51] eight of the settlers life expectancy is half of what
[37:54] settlers life expectancy is half of what it is
[37:55] it is today but from ad University comes
[37:58] today but from ad University comes strength this Settler's name is
[38:04] Abraham Abraham
[38:08] Lincoln if you work hard you can do
[38:12] Lincoln if you work hard you can do anything you want to
[38:13] anything you want to do the possibilities are
[38:17] do the possibilities are endless to me that was the American
[38:19] endless to me that was the American dream as a
[38:20] dream as a kid Lincoln's family and thousands like
[38:24] kid Lincoln's family and thousands like theirs have settled the West in four
[38:25] theirs have settled the West in four generations
[38:27] generations president Thomas Jefferson thought it
[38:29] president Thomas Jefferson thought it would take a
[38:31] would take a [Music]
[38:37] [Music] thousand the forests are cleared an
[38:40] thousand the forests are cleared an average of 5 acres per family per
[38:46] year in 1800 23 million Acres of Indiana
[38:50] year in 1800 23 million Acres of Indiana is Wilderness in 60 years it's tamed
[38:54] is Wilderness in 60 years it's tamed flat fertile farmland
[38:57] flat fertile farmland [Music]
[39:00] [Music] but there is more than Forest to
[39:04] clear it's always been one of the deep
[39:06] clear it's always been one of the deep flaws of the American imagination that
[39:09] flaws of the American imagination that it can't imagine a future for American
[39:12] it can't imagine a future for American Indian people as
[39:15] Indian people as Americans American Indian people have to
[39:18] Americans American Indian people have to imagine that for themselves and that's
[39:21] imagine that for themselves and that's that's the hard part keep
[39:24] that's the hard part keep walking
[39:26] walking 1830 Frontier President Andrew Jackson
[39:29] 1830 Frontier President Andrew Jackson declares a new policy a policy that
[39:32] declares a new policy a policy that America will maintain for more than a
[39:34] America will maintain for more than a 100
[39:37] 100 years the forced relocation of American
[39:40] years the forced relocation of American tribal people onto
[39:44] reservations you keep
[39:47] reservations you keep moving after years of Supreme Court
[39:50] moving after years of Supreme Court battles the bill passes Congress by a
[39:52] battles the bill passes Congress by a single
[39:54] single vote Chickasaw chalk
[39:58] vote Chickasaw chalk Creek seol
[40:01] Creek seol Cherokee all forced off their Nations by
[40:04] Cherokee all forced off their Nations by the point of a
[40:06] the point of a bayonet an episode in the conquest of
[40:08] bayonet an episode in the conquest of the West that even some of the soldiers
[40:10] the West that even some of the soldiers taking part find
[40:12] taking part find shameful US Army Private John G Bernett
[40:16] shameful US Army Private John G Bernett writes the sufferings of the Cherokee
[40:18] writes the sufferings of the Cherokee were awful the traal of the Exiles was a
[40:22] were awful the traal of the Exiles was a trail of
[40:23] trail of death they slept in the wagons and on
[40:25] death they slept in the wagons and on the ground Without fire
[40:28] the ground Without fire I saw as many as 20 die in a single
[40:30] I saw as many as 20 die in a single night of pneumonia cold
[40:34] night of pneumonia cold exposure Move
[40:36] exposure Move Along move
[40:42] [Music]
[40:46] along the March Of A Thousand Miles
[40:49] along the March Of A Thousand Miles becomes a Trail of
[40:50] becomes a Trail of Tears it's a shameful act in American
[40:53] Tears it's a shameful act in American history and it's in its own way sort of
[40:56] history and it's in its own way sort of an iconic Act because it really
[40:58] an iconic Act because it really symbolizes what happened to the Native
[41:05] Americans the West is open for business
[41:09] Americans the West is open for business but key to the transformation of the
[41:10] but key to the transformation of the region is a river 2,000 mi in length fed
[41:14] region is a river 2,000 mi in length fed by rainfall from 31
[41:17] by rainfall from 31 States running from Minnesota to New
[41:20] States running from Minnesota to New Orleans the mighty
[41:23] Mississippi it's a Lifeline connecting
[41:26] Mississippi it's a Lifeline connecting the West to the outside world if roads
[41:29] the West to the outside world if roads exist they're muddy tracks this is the
[41:32] exist they're muddy tracks this is the only trade artery the interstate that
[41:34] only trade artery the interstate that allows the pioneers and settlers to sell
[41:37] allows the pioneers and settlers to sell the produce they've sweated
[41:39] the produce they've sweated over a huge amount of goods are shipped
[41:42] over a huge amount of goods are shipped out but they're shipped out in the in in
[41:45] out but they're shipped out in the in in this most nickel and dime
[41:46] this most nickel and dime [Music]
[41:49] [Music] way a farmer will build a flatboat fill
[41:52] way a farmer will build a flatboat fill it up with Hogs uh sassafras rout jinang
[41:56] it up with Hogs uh sassafras rout jinang root uh tobacco whatever it is you grow
[41:59] root uh tobacco whatever it is you grow put it on the flatboat use the power of
[42:02] put it on the flatboat use the power of the Mississippi to drift you down to
[42:04] the Mississippi to drift you down to sell them along the River
[42:07] sell them along the River Bank age 19 Abraham Lincoln makes his
[42:11] Bank age 19 Abraham Lincoln makes his first trip down the Mississippi pulling
[42:13] first trip down the Mississippi pulling his simple
[42:17] raft the current is too strong to return
[42:20] raft the current is too strong to return Upstream the Primitive flatboats are
[42:23] Upstream the Primitive flatboats are simply sold as Lumber in New Orleans
[42:27] simply sold as Lumber in New Orleans Farmers have to walk the 800 miles home
[42:30] Farmers have to walk the 800 miles home and begin
[42:31] and begin again but on that first journey Lincoln
[42:34] again but on that first journey Lincoln sees the
[42:41] future a new invention which will
[42:44] future a new invention which will transform the Mississippi the Midwest
[42:47] transform the Mississippi the Midwest and America
[43:04] the steamboat was the 19th Century's
[43:07] the steamboat was the 19th Century's time machine just as surely as the
[43:10] time machine just as surely as the airplane was the 20th Century's time
[43:12] airplane was the 20th Century's time machine it shrunk Distance by shrinking
[43:16] machine it shrunk Distance by shrinking distance it enabled
[43:18] distance it enabled Commerce even Upstream steamboats can
[43:21] Commerce even Upstream steamboats can travel 50 m a day eight times faster
[43:24] travel 50 m a day eight times faster eight times the cargo of a raft but
[43:27] eight times the cargo of a raft but they're deadly over half the early
[43:30] they're deadly over half the early models explode maming and killing
[43:34] models explode maming and killing hundreds but their number triples every
[43:37] hundreds but their number triples every decade they make the Midwest America's
[43:40] decade they make the Midwest America's economic
[43:48] Powerhouse within 20 years St Lewis
[43:51] Powerhouse within 20 years St Lewis alone swells from a few hundred to a
[43:54] alone swells from a few hundred to a population of 16,000
[43:56] population of 16,000 [Music]
[43:58] [Music] over four generations America has grown
[44:01] over four generations America has grown from a 300 mile wide strip of colonies
[44:04] from a 300 mile wide strip of colonies on the Eastern Seaboard to a continental
[44:06] on the Eastern Seaboard to a continental Powerhouse