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.

War and Disaster

This episode examines the role of natural and man-made disasters in the Rocky Mountains. As westward expansion escalated in the nineteenth century, confrontations between white Americans and Native Americans increased. The United States government instituted a series of Indian policies to deal with the situation and the ever-increasing desire of white Americans for Native American lands. The solution--the Indian reservation.

OBJECTIVES: 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.

NATIONAL HISTORY STANDARDS: 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 can be compared to a natural work of art. Discuss and describe how the Rockies are a geological masterpiece.

  2. The Rocky Mountains rise majestically from the flat landscape of the western plains. How were these mountains formed? Discuss this process.

  3. The Rocky Mountains have experienced both man-made disasters and natural disasters. What are the differences between the two types of disasters? What are some examples of each?

  4. Students of American history are familiar with the American Civil War between the North and the South. But what is the story of the

  5. The Nez Perce Native Americans were instrumental in enabling white settlement in the Rocky Mountain regions. Discuss their role in this process. What happened to the Nez Perce despite their contributions to white Americans?

  6. The nineteenth century witnessed gold strikes in the western United States. How did the discovery of gold determine the course of American western history in particular, and American history in general?

  7. The Nez Perce Native Americans had a traditional prior to the nineteenth century of peaceful relations with white Americans. Why did they start fighting with white Americans? What changed to foster this animosity between the two groups?

  8. Salt Lake City is the second largest city in the Rocky Mountains. Why and how was this city founded? Can you compare the origins of this city with any other areas of settlement?

  9. What is martial law? Why does a region declare martial law? How does martial law contradict the principles of the Constitution?

  10. The hills of Butte, Montana are filled with various minerals and precious metals. What have been the costs to the region for these commodities?

  11. What started Butte's great mining disaster?

  12. What is a smokejumper? How is their job different than an urban or suburban firefighter's job?
Extended Activities

  1. Research Nez Perce history and then visit www.nezperce.com/npphoto1.html. Study the photographs and choose one image of a Nez Perce Native American and construct a biography for him or her based on your knowledge of Nez Perce history.

  2. Research the Mormon religion and compare and contrast the tenets of Mormonism with those of other forms of Christianity.

  3. On a map of the United States, trace Thomas Kane's route from Washington, DC to Salt Lake City.
Related Videos
Primary Sources
  • [Chief Joseph at his surrender in the Bear Paw Mountains, 1877]

    Tell General Howard that I know his heart. What he told me before I have in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead, Tu-hul-hil-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who now say yes or no. He who led the young men [Joseph's brother Alikut] is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people -- some of them have run away to the hills and have no blankets and no food. No one knows where they are -- perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs, my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more against the white man.

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