The Rockies

Majestic, inspiring, and seductive, the Rocky Mountains dominate the American mid-western landscape. These mountain ranges are America's greatest natural wonder and house many of the nation's national parks, including the first designated national park, and most famous, Yellowstone. The Rockies are home to a vast array of wildlife and provide a temporary refuge to millions of tourists who seek to hike its peaks, ski its slopes or ride its rivers. But the Rockies can be as dangerous as they are beautiful. Sudden changes in weather and conditions can quickly turn a pleasure excursion into a struggle for survival. The Rockies would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture, Natural History, Ecology, and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Great Explorers

This episode examines the great explorers of the mountains from the famous Lewis and Clark expedition to the first photographs taken of the mountains in the 19th century. The romance of these expeditions quickly gave way to the harsh realities of the mountains, but the lure of the mountains continued to beckon the hearts of adventurers. Students will examine the history and cultural impact of America's greatest mountain ranges. They will explore the terrain of the ranges as well as the role of the Rocky Mountains in American history and American culture. The Rockies fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: Chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretation, historical research capabilities, historical issues-analysis and decision-making for Eras 1—10.

Discussion Questions

  1. The Rocky Mountains have lured adventurers, explorers and vacationers for centuries. What is the attraction of these mountains? Is the pull of these mountains different today than it was in the past? Why or why not?

  2. The Rockies are as intimidating as they are seductive. What makes these mountains so intimidating?

  3. The Lewis and Clark expedition depended on Native Americans for its success. Discuss the role of Sacajawea in the Lewis and Clark expedition.

  4. Army officers Merriwether Lewis and William Clark took on the daunting task of exploring uncharted territory west of the Mississippi River in 1804. What was the purpose of the expedition? What prompted Lewis and Clark to undertake such a dangerous journey?

  5. The eastern region of the United States is home to another mountain range, the Appalachian Mountains. How do the Appalachians differ from the Rockies? What makes these mountain ranges so diverse?

  6. The Rocky Mountains are home to the Continental Divide. What is the Continental Divide? What are its unique characteristics?

  7. Discuss some of the difficulties of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

  8. After almost starving to death, the men of the Lewis and Clark expedition were saved by the kindness of the Nez Percé Native Americans. But many of the men became violently ill. What caused their illness? How did the Nez Percé nurse the explorers back to health?

  9. How did the Nez Percé help the course of the exploration and charting of the Rocky Mountains?

  10. How did Disaster Falls get its name?

  11. By the middle of the 19th century, the eastern region of the United States was vastly settled while the western region was still sparsely populated. Why was the eastern region settled so much earlier than the western? Why was the population so much greater?

  12. The first pictures of the Rockies were taken during the Hayden expedition. This procedure was much more arduous than photography today. Discuss the complexities of picture taking in the 1870s.

  13. Discuss how the Rockies today are still as unforgiving and harsh as they were during the expeditions of the past.
Extended Activities

  1. Create a map illustrating the Lewis and Clark expedition.

  2. Imagine that you are a member of one of the Rocky Mountain expeditions. Create a diary or journal of your experiences.
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