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The Settlement of the West

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You will now view a feature film that dramatically portrays historical events related to the settlement of the West. For this, you will need access to a copy of How the West Was Won (1963).

Set against a background of wars and historical events, How the West Was Won offers a panoramic view of the American West, while focusing on the trials, tribulations, and travels of three generations of one American family. The film has been noted in particular for its impressive cast and expansive western settings.

[Note: This film has a running time in excess of 2 1/2 hours. If you have limited time for viewing, watch the following excerpt about the building of the railroad. If you are using a DVD, watch chapters 25-27. If you are using a VHS, begin watching at approximately 1 hour and 51 minutes and stop at approximately 2 hrs. 10 minutes.]

After you watch the film, discuss these questions with colleagues or reflect on them in your journal.

  1. What is your estimate of the time period covered by this film? (Include the years and name of the period(s) portrayed.)
  2. How does the film illustrate the impact of technology on American culture and society?
  3. How does the film portray the size and scope of financial investment (in railroads, etc.)?
  4. What does the film show or imply about an increase in agricultural productivity out west?
  5. What does the film show or imply about the transformation of patterns of consumption?
  6. How does the film portray the social impact of rapid transportation lines?

Dr. Jonathan Chu, University of Massachusetts, Boston, reflects on the perspectives of the film:

"I like to think of history as being useful. It has certain kinds of principles that, if you learn them, make it easier for you to negotiate the world. And one of the principles that I find most intriguing is [that] the way in which you ask the question dictates sometimes how you tell the story. ...When we look at a movie called How the West Was Won, we're already dictating what kind of answer we're going to get."

Reflect on or discuss Dr. Chu's comments. What kind of perspective does How the West Was Won present? How accurate is the film in its portrayal of the issues related to the settlement of the American West? What kinds of assumptions are being made about the settlement of the West in the film, and how do those assumptions also document a 1960s view of America?

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