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Ken Burns: The West Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
9 Episodes 1996 - 1996
Episode 1
The People
Sun, Sep 15, 1996 82 mins
"The People" depicts how life in the region changed after the arrival of Europeans. Included: native creation myths; the search for the "seven cities of gold"; the Lewis and Clark expedition. Peter Coyote narrates.
Episode 2
Empire Upon the Trails
Mon, Sep 16, 1996 84 mins
"Empire Upon the Trails" looks at how the U.S. completed its westward expansion by 1848, incorporating Texas, British-held land in the Northwest and Mexican-controlled California. Included: Sam Houston's role in Texan statehood; the ill-fated work of missionaries on the Oregon Trail.
Episode 3
The Speck of the Future
Tue, Sep 17, 1996 85 mins
"The Speck of the Future" details the discovery of gold in California and its profound impact on the region. Included: the first-person account of miner William Swain. Included: how frustrated " '49ers" turned their anger on nonwhites; the growth of San Francisco.
Episode 4
Death Runs Riot
Wed, Sep 18, 1996 85 mins
"Death Runs Riot" details the rising tensions over slavery. With the Federal focus on Civil War battles to the East, Western combat was often fought by volunteers. Included: Juan Cortina, "the Robin Hood of the Rio Grande"; Custer's assault on the Cheyenne.
Episode 5
The Grandest Enterprise Under God
Thu, Sep 19, 1996 84 mins
Work begins on the transcontinental railroad with hopes of accelerating the settlement of the West. Included: how Congress gave money and land to railroad companies; the near-extinction of the buffalo; the role of Chinese émigrés in tunneling through the Sierra Nevadas.
Episode 6
Fight No More Forever
Fri, Sep 20, 1996 85 mins
"Fight No More Forever": Indian-settler hostility flares anew after the breaking of treaties preserving the Black Hills for the Lakota. Included: Custer's last stand; how the Nez Perce's Chief Joseph led the U.S. Army on a three-month chase; troubles facing the Mormon leadership of Utah. Narrator: Peter Coyote.
Episode 7
The Geography of Hope
Sat, Sep 21, 1996 85 mins
"The Geography of Hope" follows the fortunes of settlers who flocked to Kansas and Nebraska in the 1870s. Included: blacks fleeing the post-Civil War South; "Buffalo Bill" Cody's Western show; Teddy Roosevelt's career as a rancher. Peter Coyote narrates.
Episode 8
One Sky Above Us: Part 1
Sun, Sep 22, 1996 58 mins
Part 1. The Wounded Knee massacre leads to the end of organized Indian resistance to the settlement of the West. Included: how most of the Indian territory was divided into new towns; the death of Sitting Bull; the construction of the Los Angeles aqueduct. Peter Coyote narrates.
Episode 9
One Sky Above Us: Part 2
Sun, Sep 22, 1996 63 mins
Conclusion. The Wounded Knee massacre leads to the end of organized Indian resistance to the settlement of the West. Included: how most of the Indian territory was divided into new towns; the death of Sitting Bull; the construction of the Los Angeles aqueduct. Peter Coyote narrates.