Why Communities Form: Three Historical Case Studies

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video explores the concept of "community" through the lens of United States history, using three distinct historical case studies to answer the essential question: "What purpose do communities serve?" The video begins with a relatable analogy of a summer camp to define a community as a group sharing common interests or circumstances. It then transitions into a detailed examination of three specific American communities that formed for different reasons: economic opportunity, safety and cultural identity, and religious freedom. The content covers Deadwood, South Dakota, formed during the Gold Rush despite treaties with the Lakota Sioux; Greenwood (Black Wall Street) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, formed as a safe haven and economic hub for African Americans amidst segregation; and the Amana Colonies in Iowa, established by Pietists seeking religious freedom and a communal lifestyle. Each segment analyzes why the community formed, how it was structured, and how it evolved over time, touching on significant historical events like the violation of the Treaty of Fort Laramie and the Tulsa Race Massacre. Teachers can use this video to introduce units on sociology, Westward Expansion, or Civil Rights. It provides a structured framework for comparing different types of societal organizations and introduces complex historical realities—such as the displacement of Indigenous peoples and racial violence—in an accessible, age-appropriate manner. The video includes built-in pause points with graphic organizer prompts, making it an excellent tool for guided note-taking and comparative analysis in the classroom.