The Impact of Westward Expansion on Native Nations

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video explores the complex and often devastating impact of United States Westward Expansion on Native American populations during the 19th century. Moving beyond the traditional narrative of "Manifest Destiny," the video examines how the U.S. government utilized three primary methods—trade, environmental transformation, and war—to displace indigenous people. It specifically highlights how economic assimilation and the systematic destruction of the North American bison herds were used as tools to weaken Native American societies and force them onto reservations. The video also emphasizes the resilience and agency of Native American tribes, detailing how they resisted expansion not just through combat, but through strategic reorganization and cultural adaptation. Key historical examples include Tecumseh's attempt to form an inter-tribal confederacy and the Seminole Nation's formation of a new cultural identity in Florida that blended various indigenous groups and escaped enslaved people. The content challenges students to look at history through multiple lenses, contrasting settler perspectives with indigenous voices like Sitting Bull. For educators, this resource provides excellent opportunities to teach historical empathy, data analysis, and visual literacy. It includes clear graphs comparing railroad growth to bison decline, offering a cross-curricular connection to math and science. The video also features historical artwork that can be analyzed to understand the concept of assimilation. It serves as a strong foundation for lessons on conflict, colonization, and the enduring sovereignty of Native American nations today.