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
The Depression Began
By September of 1929, nervous investors began selling stocks in order to get out of the market while prices were still high. As the volume of selling increased, stock prices began to fall in October. On October 24 (Black Thursday) and October 29 (Black Tuesday), prices fell drastically as sellers panicked. By December, a staggering $40 billion in stock value had been lost. Hoover and business leaders attempted to calm Americans by assuring them that the country's economy was fundamentally sound.
Cold War
A 3 Minute Documentary on the early years of the Cold War. (Amateur video)
CIA vs. Anti-U.S. Government - Cold War
This video is accompanied by text. "Once he was elected to a second term, Eisenhower's stance on communism began to resemble the policies of the Truman administration—the U.S. government would concentrate on blocking the growth of communism rather than try to destroy it. The administration tolerated Communist nations in eastern Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, but forces—primarily the CIA—would be dispatched to deal with anti-American governments in the Third World. Of utmost interest to
Duck and Cover - Civil Defense Film
In 1951, the American government, in consultation with the National Education Association, created a film instructing young school children what to do in the event of a nuclear attack. It features a turtle named Bert and includes nuclear-explosion scenes culled from other government films.
Entitled Duck and Cover, the film was seen by millions of children throughout the United States. (9:59)
Abraham Lincoln : Humble Beginnings
A BBC series from 2002, this video shows a great deal about the influences on Lincoln in his early life. Learning to read, seeing slavery in New Orleans, and studying for the bar are all included.
Charles Babbage's Difference Engine
A professionally-produced video about Charles Babbage's "Difference Engine" and "Analytical Engine"--early progenitors of computers. (5:48)
Barack Obama's Life in Pictures
This video is a retrospective of his life from the early years, through high school, college, his life with Michelle and his family, and on the campaign trail.(Amateur video)
Barack Obama: Yes We Can!
Learn how Barack Obama became the first African-American President of the United States of America.
Minority Inventors
Narrated by Ossie Davis, this tribute to minority inventors
touches upon many inventions that have contributed to American science, technology, and medicine. Motivates junior and senior high school students (minority) to take scientific and technical subjects as
preparation for careers in science and technology. (Professional, high quality video)
Pullman Porters union and the Civil Rights Movement-1/2
Philadelphias 30th Street Station hosted an event honoring the
Pullman porters, the African American men who worked long hours as
attendants on the luxurious sleeper trains operated by the Pullman
Company from 1868 to 1969. The Pullman porters played an important but
unsung role in the history of this country. In 1925, they formed the
first black labor union under the stewardship of A. Philip Randolph.
They also helped pave the way for the civil rights m
Booker T. Washington Biography
Booker T. Washington: What's a Heaven For? Born into slavery in the 1850s, Booker T. Washington eagerly persued an education, eventually going on to head the Tuskegee Institute. He was the voice for the African American community in the late 1800's through the early 1900's. This biography of his life is presented through art montage. Good quotes to give a better picture of this man's remarkable accomplishments. Great teaching resource for Civil Rights, American History, and Slavery. (17:00)
Nellie Bly-Journalist
A comical show about AJ and the crew who travel back in time to late 19th century to talk to Nellie Bly. Nellie Bly was a journalist who faked her own insanity in order to investigate the terrible conditions of America's asylums.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
This is a short black-and-white film of the life of the American social activist abolitionist.
Attack on Pearl Harbor
This clip, from a Universal Newsreel, combines Japanese and American historical footage of the Pearl Harbor attack. The events, which took place on December 7, 1941 - a Sunday that year - initially surprised the United States.
