The French Allies
Video with text. "As early as 1776, the Comte de Vergennes, France’s foreign minister, convinced King Louis XVI to send munitions to America. They secretly sent military supplies not out of sympathy for the Revolution, but for reprisal against Britain for France’s defeat in the French and Indian War. Most of the Continental soldiers’ arms in the first year came from France through a fake supply company, in order to keep their support confidential. The Spanish government also added a donati
Continental Army 1777- Documentary
A short documentary about the the New York Campaign of 1777. This was the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. Learn what life was really like in the Continental Army during this important campaign through stories told by those who are part of the re-enactment. (Video utilizes film of re-enactments and text.)
American Revolution: The World Turned Upside Down
(Episode 5 of the series Liberty, by PBS) When the war in the North was fought to a stalemate, Sir Henry
Clinton thought his troops could defeat the rebellion in the American
South. Perhaps, with people still loyal to the British Crown, the long
and costly war could finally end in Britain's favor.
After the fall of South Carolina, Clinton's strategy seemed to be
working very well. He sent Lord Cornwallis to complete the job. But
Peace of Paris (1783)
Video accompanied with text. "After Yorktown, the citizens of Britain tired of the war in the American colonies. They were also greatly in debt and had suffered immense losses in India, the West Indies, Asia, and Africa. In February 1782, the House of Commons voted against continuing the war, and in March 1782 Lord North resigned, ending the rule of King George III. The new ministry included old friends of the Americans and was headed by Lord Rockingham who was prepared to negotiate a peace sett
First Invasion War of 1812 Part 1
First Invasion War of 1812 History Channel Documentary. Video goes into the early stages of the War of 1812. (10:00)
The War in 1812
While Republicans, for the most part, still backed Jefferson's foreign policies, new elections were transforming the party. Older politicians who molded the Republican Party policy and put Jefferson and Madison in power were replaced by daring young go-getters, such as Henry Clay of Kentucky, who were intent on defending America's honor. These new leaders, called "War Hawks" by their Federalist opponents, were the primary force behind Madison's decision to call for war with Britain. The War Hawk
Jefferson's Embargo
This video about the causes of the war of 1812 is accompanied by text. "Thomas Jefferson envisioned a peaceful, agrarian society that used diplomacy, rather than military might, to execute America’s foreign policy. Jefferson believed that a large standing army was an invitation to dictatorship, and he drastically reduced the size of both the American Army and Navy. However, events in the Mediterranean quickly challenged Jefferson’s decision and forced him to re-evaluate his philosophy about
North American Alliances
By the mid-eighteenth century, the face of North America was changing. The British soldiers, officials, and colonists were moving west from the Atlantic coast and starting to cross into the Ohio River Valley. The Spanish occupied a vast region extending from the Gulf of California, across the desert, and along the Gulf Coast to Florida. The French settled primarily in New France, the area that would later become Canada.
The changes in North America were dramatic for the Native Americans.
Louisiana Purchase Doubles U.S.
A short video that goes into some detail as to how the Lousiana Purchase was made and what land it covered....and why it was the steal of the century, not the buy of the century.
Westward Expansion
By the mid-nineteenth century, the American economy that had been based on local commerce and small-scale farming was maturing into a dynamic, wide-reaching capitalist marketplace. As the industrial revolution in the northeast altered the economy and intensified the process of urbanization, an agricultural empire began to emerge in the west, and westward expansion began. In this video you will learn about westward expansion and it's trials and tribulations. (Video is of high q
Westward Movement and Economy
This video is accompanied by text. "By the mid-nineteenth century, the American economy that had been based on local commerce and small-scale farming was maturing into a dynamic, wide-reaching capitalist marketplace. As the industrial revolution in the northeast altered the economy and intensified the process of urbanization, an agricultural empire began to emerge in the west.
By 1860, more than one-half of the American population was located west of the Appalachian Mountains. Conditions
Westward Expansion (Roundtable Discussion)
Featuring prominent historians, this roundtable discussion examines American Pioneers and Westward Expansion. Manifest Destiny and the Anglo-American settlers' feeling of superiority are discussed.
Migration Westward after Reconstruction
This video is accompanied by text. "Prior to the Civil War, most English settlers and their descendants chose to live along the Atlantic Coast. However, the Pacific Coast was also being settled, which would lead to the development of the Great Plains as the two coasts spread toward the middle of America.
Atlantic settlers referred to the Great Plains and the Pacific Coast as the “Great West.” A less-optimistic name for this region was the “Great American Desert,” so-named because o
The End of the Frontier
This video is accompanied by text. "In 1890, the Census Bureau announced the end of the frontier, meaning there was no longer a discernible frontier line in the west, nor any large tracts of land yet unbroken by settlement. This news had a terrific psychological impact on many Americans. For the first time in history, America was without a frontier. The frontier was a part of American national identity. The ideal of an ever-pioneering spirit with eternally new wildernesses to conquer was the Ame
California Gold Rush: An Introduction
A two minute video about the causes and effects of the Gold Rush with insights into the American Dream of striking it rich. A good introduction, but clearly too short for anything else
The Growth of Cities and Social Issues
This video is accompanied by text. "In the decades following the Civil War, many Americans migrated from farms and small country towns to the growing cities. Immigrants from several countries, including Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Poland traveled to America in search of better working and living conditions for themselves and their families. Between 1870 and 1900, the population of U.S. cities tripled. By 1890, New York became the second largest city in the world with 3.5 million residents, whil
Women and Blacks in the Progressive Era
This video is accompanied by text. "As the Progressive Movement strengthened its challenge to conventional attitudes in America, feminists used the platform to gain support for woman suffrage. In 1890, two major women’s groups—American Woman’s Suffrage Association and National Woman’s Suffrage Association—joined forces to create the National American Woman’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The group looked to gain support for many issues of concern to women, but concentrated on a state
The People's Party - Late 1800s
This video is accompanied by text."The future looked bright for American farmers during the mid-1800s. But increased competition from farmers in other countries, including Canada, Russia, and Australia, sent American crop prices spiraling downward. By the 1890s, wheat sold for 60 cents a bushel, and the price for a pound of cotton fell below 6 cents.
The quickly expanding railroad industry also played a part in breaking the spirit—and bank account—of the American farmer. Fierce
Origins of Progressivism
This video is accompanied by text. "Bounded by the end of the nineteenth century and the American entry into World War I, the Progressive Era brought dramatic changes to the nation’s economic, political, and social sectors. Progressives included both men and women from various ethnic groups, classes, and occupations who challenged traditional attitudes about the American way of life.
The reformers fought to overcome inefficiencies in government, corrupt political machines, and the inade
The Idea of Communism - Red Scare
As World War I was raging in Europe, a political and social revolution defined by a struggle between the labor class and capitalists was taking place in Russia. In early 1917, the Bolshevik Party, headed by Vladimir Lenin, felt that the social climate in Russia was beginning to change in their favor. Outlining his plan for a communist revolution, Lenin wrote his “April Thesis” to demonstrate the Bolshevik vision for a Soviet State. By the end of October 1917, the Bolshevik Party, soon to be
