Skip to main content
Access to this video is a benefit for members through

Up Next

Empire Upon the Trails

Empire Upon the Trails

Season 1996 Episode 2
1:24:31
Speck of the Future

Speck of the Future

Season 1996 Episode 3
1:24:49
Death Runs Riot

Death Runs Riot

Season 1996 Episode 4
1:24:47
The Grandest Enterprise Under God

The Grandest Enterprise Under God

Season 1996 Episode 5
1:24:33
Fight No More Forever

Fight No More Forever

Season 1996 Episode 6
1:25:06
The Geography of Hope

The Geography of Hope

Season 1996 Episode 7
1:24:53
Ghost Dance

Ghost Dance

Season 1996 Episode 8
58:38
One Sky Above Us

One Sky Above Us

Season 1996 Episode 9
1:02:58
Episode 5: The Calling

The Calling

Season 4 Episode 5
53:05
Back to Show
The West

The People

Season 1996 Episode 1

The West begins as the whole world to the people who live there. It becomes a New World when Europeans arrive, a world shaken by incompatible visions. And almost three centuries later, when Lewis and Clark venture west to find a Northwest Passage, this world becomes the testing-ground for a young nation's continent-spanning dream.

Support Provided By
One Sky Above Us
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:02:58
As the 20th century neared, Americans celebrated with the World Columbian Exposition.
Ghost Dance
Unlock with PBS Passport
58:38
As settlers race to claim tribal lands, Native Americans take up the Ghost Dance.
The Geography of Hope
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:24:53
Newcomers arrive by the millions, bringing a spirit of conformity to the West.
Fight No More Forever
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:25:06
The federal government tightens its grip on the West.
The Grandest Enterprise Under God
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:24:33
A triumph of the human spirit, the transcontinental railroad opens a new era in the West.
Death Runs Riot
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:24:47
Civil war comes early to the West.
Speck of the Future
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:24:49
The Gold Rush brings the whole world to the West.
Empire Upon the Trails
Unlock with PBS Passport
1:24:31
Americans head west along many pathways.
Active loading indicator