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1 | 00:00:11,707 | 00:00:15,232 | Previously, on "The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen.." | Previously, on "The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen.." |
2 | 00:00:17,539 | 00:00:21,891 | Forty years after Daniel Boone crossed the Appalachians | Forty years after Daniel Boone crossed the Appalachians |
3 | 00:00:21,934 | 00:00:25,242 | the American frontier now reaches as far west | the American frontier now reaches as far west |
4 | 00:00:25,286 | 00:00:26,722 | as the Great Plains. | as the Great Plains. |
5 | 00:00:32,945 | 00:00:37,646 | Famed Shawnee war chief, Tecumseh falls in battle | Famed Shawnee war chief, Tecumseh falls in battle |
6 | 00:00:37,689 | 00:00:40,997 | and with him dies the dream of a Pan-Indian homeland. | and with him dies the dream of a Pan-Indian homeland. |
7 | 00:00:41,041 | 00:00:42,216 | Fire! | Fire! |
8 | 00:00:44,827 | 00:00:46,350 | Andrew Jackson defeats Great Britain | Andrew Jackson defeats Great Britain |
9 | 00:00:46,394 | 00:00:48,483 | in the War of 1812 | in the War of 1812 |
10 | 00:00:48,526 | 00:00:50,180 | a victory that propels him | a victory that propels him |
11 | 00:00:50,224 | 00:00:52,443 | to the presidency. | to the presidency. |
12 | 00:00:54,489 | 00:00:56,360 | His bitter rival, Davy Crockett | His bitter rival, Davy Crockett |
13 | 00:00:56,404 | 00:00:58,101 | seeks a fresh start | seeks a fresh start |
14 | 00:00:58,145 | 00:01:00,495 | in the Mexican territory of Texas. | in the Mexican territory of Texas. |
15 | 00:01:03,889 | 00:01:06,544 | We need somebody like you, Crockett. | We need somebody like you, Crockett. |
16 | 00:01:06,588 | 00:01:08,111 | What he finds instead.. | What he finds instead.. |
17 | 00:01:08,155 | 00:01:09,330 | Hell or Texas. | Hell or Texas. |
18 | 00:01:09,373 | 00:01:11,897 | Hell or Texas! | Hell or Texas! |
19 | 00:01:11,941 | 00:01:13,682 | ...is a fight for freedom.. | ...is a fight for freedom.. |
20 | 00:01:18,339 | 00:01:20,123 | ...that will make him a legend. | ...that will make him a legend. |
21 | 00:01:36,270 | 00:01:41,536 | Whoa-oa-oa whoa-oa-oa | Whoa-oa-oa whoa-oa-oa |
22 | 00:02:29,366 | 00:02:31,194 | At a garrison in Southern Texas | At a garrison in Southern Texas |
23 | 00:02:31,238 | 00:02:33,457 | known as the Alamo | known as the Alamo |
24 | 00:02:33,501 | 00:02:36,547 | nearly 260 men, women, and children | nearly 260 men, women, and children |
25 | 00:02:36,591 | 00:02:38,680 | prepare for a siege. | prepare for a siege. |
26 | 00:02:42,423 | 00:02:43,902 | Among their commanders | Among their commanders |
27 | 00:02:43,946 | 00:02:46,340 | is celebrated frontiersman.. | is celebrated frontiersman.. |
28 | 00:02:46,383 | 00:02:47,384 | ...Davy Crockett. | ...Davy Crockett. |
29 | 00:02:51,127 | 00:02:55,262 | Outside the walls, cle to 5000 Mexican troops | Outside the walls, cle to 5000 Mexican troops |
30 | 00:02:55,305 | 00:02:57,699 | led by the ruthless general, Santa Anna.. | led by the ruthless general, Santa Anna.. |
31 | 00:02:58,830 | 00:03:00,092 | ...surround the mission. | ...surround the mission. |
32 | 00:03:02,573 | 00:03:04,575 | The Texians believed that Santa Anna's troops | The Texians believed that Santa Anna's troops |
33 | 00:03:04,619 | 00:03:06,142 | were two months out | were two months out |
34 | 00:03:06,186 | 00:03:08,710 | but once Crockett got to the Alamo | but once Crockett got to the Alamo |
35 | 00:03:08,753 | 00:03:11,408 | and it became clear that Santa Anna's troops | and it became clear that Santa Anna's troops |
36 | 00:03:11,452 | 00:03:13,671 | were on the march and they were much closer | were on the march and they were much closer |
37 | 00:03:13,715 | 00:03:15,456 | than had been anticipated | than had been anticipated |
38 | 00:03:15,499 | 00:03:16,935 | there was no getting out of it | there was no getting out of it |
39 | 00:03:16,979 | 00:03:18,198 | at this point for Crockett. | at this point for Crockett. |
40 | 00:03:19,460 | 00:03:21,331 | Alright, close it up. | Alright, close it up. |
41 | 00:03:29,078 | 00:03:30,688 | Right, there on the walls. | Right, there on the walls. |
42 | 00:03:30,732 | 00:03:32,124 | Let's go, go, go! | Let's go, go, go! |
43 | 00:03:45,573 | 00:03:48,097 | This massive, well-trained army | This massive, well-trained army |
44 | 00:03:48,140 | 00:03:50,447 | you know, surrounding this, this little mission | you know, surrounding this, this little mission |
45 | 00:03:50,491 | 00:03:52,144 | in the middle of the desert. | in the middle of the desert. |
46 | 00:03:52,188 | 00:03:54,059 | The Alamo looks like a complete | The Alamo looks like a complete |
47 | 00:03:54,103 | 00:03:55,800 | uh, disaster waiting to happen. | uh, disaster waiting to happen. |
48 | 00:03:59,195 | 00:04:01,284 | Outnumbered fifteen to one.. | Outnumbered fifteen to one.. |
49 | 00:04:03,591 | 00:04:06,724 | ...Crockett knows the odds of survival are bleak. | ...Crockett knows the odds of survival are bleak. |
50 | 00:04:11,686 | 00:04:12,948 | Man, uh, th-there's a thing that happens | Man, uh, th-there's a thing that happens |
51 | 00:04:12,991 | 00:04:15,298 | when death's at the door. | when death's at the door. |
52 | 00:04:15,342 | 00:04:17,387 | Most people don't know when the reaper's gonna show up, right? | Most people don't know when the reaper's gonna show up, right? |
53 | 00:04:17,431 | 00:04:21,391 | You just kinda, hopefully, y-you die in peace or you die quickly. | You just kinda, hopefully, y-you die in peace or you die quickly. |
54 | 00:04:21,435 | 00:04:23,045 | When you see the reaper standing outside the door | When you see the reaper standing outside the door |
55 | 00:04:23,088 | 00:04:25,700 | and you know he's comin' in here for us | and you know he's comin' in here for us |
56 | 00:04:25,743 | 00:04:28,137 | your world just kinda lends perspective in that moment. | your world just kinda lends perspective in that moment. |
57 | 00:04:28,180 | 00:04:29,660 | What was important, what's not important | What was important, what's not important |
58 | 00:04:29,704 | 00:04:31,619 | who I wish I would've talked to. | who I wish I would've talked to. |
59 | 00:04:31,662 | 00:04:35,144 | Man, it's a hell of a thing to, to go through that. | Man, it's a hell of a thing to, to go through that. |
60 | 00:04:58,428 | 00:05:02,998 | Over the course of an hour, Crockett and the Texans | Over the course of an hour, Crockett and the Texans |
61 | 00:05:03,041 | 00:05:05,870 | repel the Mexican advances three times. | repel the Mexican advances three times. |
62 | 00:05:14,270 | 00:05:16,838 | But Santa Anna is relentless | But Santa Anna is relentless |
63 | 00:05:16,881 | 00:05:20,232 | accepting heavy losses to breach the fortress. | accepting heavy losses to breach the fortress. |
64 | 00:05:35,291 | 00:05:39,948 | Santa Anna sent his troops from many different sides. | Santa Anna sent his troops from many different sides. |
65 | 00:05:39,991 | 00:05:43,255 | Wave, after wave, after wave of men | Wave, after wave, after wave of men |
66 | 00:05:43,299 | 00:05:45,823 | uh, who scaled ladders | uh, who scaled ladders |
67 | 00:05:45,867 | 00:05:49,305 | and swarmed literally like locusts. | and swarmed literally like locusts. |
68 | 00:06:11,196 | 00:06:15,505 | Davy Crockett did what many American patriots have done | Davy Crockett did what many American patriots have done |
69 | 00:06:15,549 | 00:06:19,291 | and that is decide to stay and fight for a cause | and that is decide to stay and fight for a cause |
70 | 00:06:19,335 | 00:06:21,685 | in the face of an attacking enemy. | in the face of an attacking enemy. |
71 | 00:06:23,034 | 00:06:25,254 | And it speaks volumes about him | And it speaks volumes about him |
72 | 00:06:25,297 | 00:06:26,995 | uh, and about his character. | uh, and about his character. |
73 | 00:06:44,404 | 00:06:46,188 | Ninety minutes after the battle begins.. | Ninety minutes after the battle begins.. |
74 | 00:06:48,190 | 00:06:50,932 | ...the Mexican Army takes the Alamo. | ...the Mexican Army takes the Alamo. |
75 | 00:06:54,588 | 00:06:57,939 | Almost all of the fort's defenders are killed. | Almost all of the fort's defenders are killed. |
76 | 00:07:09,559 | 00:07:11,213 | Most accounts suggest | Most accounts suggest |
77 | 00:07:11,256 | 00:07:14,085 | that Crockett was in some of the heaviest fighting | that Crockett was in some of the heaviest fighting |
78 | 00:07:14,129 | 00:07:17,524 | and that he was one of the last remaining survivors. | and that he was one of the last remaining survivors. |
79 | 00:07:19,787 | 00:07:24,531 | They were led out and executed right in front of Santa Anna. | They were led out and executed right in front of Santa Anna. |
80 | 00:07:24,574 | 00:07:28,317 | Then they were loaded into three separate human pyres | Then they were loaded into three separate human pyres |
81 | 00:07:28,360 | 00:07:30,319 | and lit aflame. | and lit aflame. |
82 | 00:07:32,887 | 00:07:36,281 | For Crockett to live this incredible life | For Crockett to live this incredible life |
83 | 00:07:36,325 | 00:07:41,025 | on the frontier and then die at the Alamo | on the frontier and then die at the Alamo |
84 | 00:07:41,069 | 00:07:45,508 | sealed him as legendary. | sealed him as legendary. |
85 | 00:07:50,339 | 00:07:52,384 | Davy Crockett was not this kind of | Davy Crockett was not this kind of |
86 | 00:07:52,428 | 00:07:56,301 | backwoods outdoorsman, uh, entirely. | backwoods outdoorsman, uh, entirely. |
87 | 00:07:56,345 | 00:07:59,783 | Uh, he was a man with great political ambitions | Uh, he was a man with great political ambitions |
88 | 00:07:59,827 | 00:08:01,524 | who got into trouble because he was also | who got into trouble because he was also |
89 | 00:08:01,568 | 00:08:04,919 | very independent-minded, so he wouldn't always play ball | very independent-minded, so he wouldn't always play ball |
90 | 00:08:04,962 | 00:08:07,661 | uh, with the political establishment. | uh, with the political establishment. |
91 | 00:08:07,704 | 00:08:11,229 | Crockett was always the congressman of the little guy. | Crockett was always the congressman of the little guy. |
92 | 00:08:11,273 | 00:08:13,144 | It is that underdog struggle | It is that underdog struggle |
93 | 00:08:13,188 | 00:08:15,843 | uh, fighting against a-a tyranny. | uh, fighting against a-a tyranny. |
94 | 00:08:15,886 | 00:08:17,671 | And so, the story | And so, the story |
95 | 00:08:17,714 | 00:08:19,803 | of Davy Crockett goin' down swinging | of Davy Crockett goin' down swinging |
96 | 00:08:19,847 | 00:08:22,806 | fighting to the very last man, and the very last breath | fighting to the very last man, and the very last breath |
97 | 00:08:22,850 | 00:08:26,418 | uh, feeds the legend of the King of the Wild Frontier. | uh, feeds the legend of the King of the Wild Frontier. |
98 | 00:08:32,512 | 00:08:34,122 | Word of the slaughter at the Alamo | Word of the slaughter at the Alamo |
99 | 00:08:34,165 | 00:08:36,254 | soon spreads across the country.. | soon spreads across the country.. |
100 | 00:08:38,126 | 00:08:40,171 | ...enraging Americans. | ...enraging Americans. |
101 | 00:08:50,399 | 00:08:53,010 | In Washington, President Andrew Jackson | In Washington, President Andrew Jackson |
102 | 00:08:53,054 | 00:08:57,058 | sees the defeat in Texas as a much bigger concern. | sees the defeat in Texas as a much bigger concern. |
103 | 00:09:00,801 | 00:09:02,977 | By 1836.. | By 1836.. |
104 | 00:09:03,020 | 00:09:05,675 | ...Mexico is a significant territorial rival | ...Mexico is a significant territorial rival |
105 | 00:09:05,719 | 00:09:07,634 | in North America. | in North America. |
106 | 00:09:07,677 | 00:09:10,854 | Mexico controls land stretching from California | Mexico controls land stretching from California |
107 | 00:09:10,898 | 00:09:12,639 | to the border of Oregon | to the border of Oregon |
108 | 00:09:12,682 | 00:09:16,773 | covering more than 1.7 million square miles. | covering more than 1.7 million square miles. |
109 | 00:09:16,817 | 00:09:18,688 | The US hasn't added a new state | The US hasn't added a new state |
110 | 00:09:18,732 | 00:09:21,473 | since Missouri in 1821 | since Missouri in 1821 |
111 | 00:09:21,517 | 00:09:26,740 | and the promise of expansion west feels stalled. | and the promise of expansion west feels stalled. |
112 | 00:09:26,783 | 00:09:29,525 | Andrew Jackson was among those Americans | Andrew Jackson was among those Americans |
113 | 00:09:29,569 | 00:09:31,483 | who believed that Texas ought to be | who believed that Texas ought to be |
114 | 00:09:31,527 | 00:09:33,442 | part of the United States. | part of the United States. |
115 | 00:09:33,485 | 00:09:36,837 | But Jackson was also a man with a keen strategic sense | But Jackson was also a man with a keen strategic sense |
116 | 00:09:36,880 | 00:09:39,187 | who wanted to strike at the right moment. | who wanted to strike at the right moment. |
117 | 00:09:39,230 | 00:09:42,016 | He didn't want to have a war with Mexico just then. | He didn't want to have a war with Mexico just then. |
118 | 00:09:42,059 | 00:09:45,759 | Didn't think the time was right. | Didn't think the time was right. |
119 | 00:09:45,802 | 00:09:48,762 | If Texas can win its own independence | If Texas can win its own independence |
120 | 00:09:48,805 | 00:09:51,155 | Jackson can bring it into the union. | Jackson can bring it into the union. |
121 | 00:09:51,199 | 00:09:54,071 | Until then, his hands are tied. | Until then, his hands are tied. |
122 | 00:10:05,561 | 00:10:08,651 | Fortunately, for Jackson.. | Fortunately, for Jackson.. |
123 | 00:10:08,695 | 00:10:11,480 | ...one Texan sees the crushing loss at the Alamo | ...one Texan sees the crushing loss at the Alamo |
124 | 00:10:11,523 | 00:10:13,047 | as an opportunity. | as an opportunity. |
125 | 00:10:14,396 | 00:10:16,877 | His name is Sam Houston. | His name is Sam Houston. |
126 | 00:10:18,792 | 00:10:21,011 | Crockett and Sam Houston | Crockett and Sam Houston |
127 | 00:10:21,055 | 00:10:24,275 | both served in Andrew Jackson's militia | both served in Andrew Jackson's militia |
128 | 00:10:24,319 | 00:10:26,147 | during the Creek War. | during the Creek War. |
129 | 00:10:26,190 | 00:10:30,281 | Houston became famous for the Battle of Horseshoe Bend | Houston became famous for the Battle of Horseshoe Bend |
130 | 00:10:30,325 | 00:10:33,110 | where he was impaled through the groin with an arrow | where he was impaled through the groin with an arrow |
131 | 00:10:33,154 | 00:10:36,374 | and had one of his other soldiers yank it out | and had one of his other soldiers yank it out |
132 | 00:10:36,418 | 00:10:38,463 | and he just kept on fighting. | and he just kept on fighting. |
133 | 00:10:38,507 | 00:10:42,163 | And Houston also was really a rugged frontiersman. | And Houston also was really a rugged frontiersman. |
134 | 00:10:44,948 | 00:10:49,257 | Houston is now the leader of some 370 untrained men. | Houston is now the leader of some 370 untrained men. |
135 | 00:10:49,300 | 00:10:53,000 | They comprise the Army of Texas | They comprise the Army of Texas |
136 | 00:10:53,043 | 00:10:57,047 | and their fight for independence isn't over. | and their fight for independence isn't over. |
137 | 00:10:57,091 | 00:11:00,834 | To increase his numbers in the face of a much larger enemy | To increase his numbers in the face of a much larger enemy |
138 | 00:11:00,877 | 00:11:05,882 | Houston calls on Texans to avenge Crockett's death.. | Houston calls on Texans to avenge Crockett's death.. |
139 | 00:11:05,926 | 00:11:08,842 | ...and remember the Alamo. | ...and remember the Alamo. |
140 | 00:11:13,716 | 00:11:15,805 | The way I see it.. | The way I see it.. |
141 | 00:11:15,849 | 00:11:18,155 | The defeat at the Alamo ended up | The defeat at the Alamo ended up |
142 | 00:11:18,199 | 00:11:21,942 | creating a great rallying cry of patriotism | creating a great rallying cry of patriotism |
143 | 00:11:21,985 | 00:11:23,813 | to fight for independence | to fight for independence |
144 | 00:11:23,857 | 00:11:26,903 | and to fight to the death, to fight to the end. | and to fight to the death, to fight to the end. |
145 | 00:11:26,947 | 00:11:28,688 | ...it is really important to.. | ...it is really important to.. |
146 | 00:11:30,733 | 00:11:32,169 | Hundreds of angry Texans | Hundreds of angry Texans |
147 | 00:11:32,213 | 00:11:35,216 | are drawn to the cause of independence. | are drawn to the cause of independence. |
148 | 00:11:35,259 | 00:11:38,001 | In just a month, Houston's army swells | In just a month, Houston's army swells |
149 | 00:11:38,045 | 00:11:39,568 | to nearly a thousand. | to nearly a thousand. |
150 | 00:11:46,531 | 00:11:48,446 | They're positioned near the San Jacinto River.. | They're positioned near the San Jacinto River.. |
151 | 00:11:50,361 | 00:11:53,495 | ...right in the path of General Santa Anna | ...right in the path of General Santa Anna |
152 | 00:11:53,538 | 00:11:56,585 | and 1500 Mexican troops. | and 1500 Mexican troops. |
153 | 00:12:11,731 | 00:12:15,517 | Just six weeks after Crockett's death at the Alamo | Just six weeks after Crockett's death at the Alamo |
154 | 00:12:15,560 | 00:12:18,825 | Sam Houston takes his revenge.. | Sam Houston takes his revenge.. |
155 | 00:12:18,868 | 00:12:21,653 | ...unleashing 900 furious Texans | ...unleashing 900 furious Texans |
156 | 00:12:21,697 | 00:12:23,568 | against a larger Mexican force. | against a larger Mexican force. |
157 | 00:12:26,615 | 00:12:30,271 | Santa Anna is camped near the San Jacinto River | Santa Anna is camped near the San Jacinto River |
158 | 00:12:30,314 | 00:12:32,534 | where the Texans surprise them. | where the Texans surprise them. |
159 | 00:12:44,154 | 00:12:45,634 | Ultimately, the Battle of San Jacinto | Ultimately, the Battle of San Jacinto |
160 | 00:12:45,677 | 00:12:47,114 | only lasted 18 minutes. | only lasted 18 minutes. |
161 | 00:12:47,157 | 00:12:49,638 | It was a chaotic 18 minutes. | It was a chaotic 18 minutes. |
162 | 00:12:49,681 | 00:12:51,945 | I don't think anyone expected the battle to go this way. | I don't think anyone expected the battle to go this way. |
163 | 00:13:04,740 | 00:13:08,483 | Over 630 Mexican soldiers are killed. | Over 630 Mexican soldiers are killed. |
164 | 00:13:08,526 | 00:13:12,313 | The Texans suffer just 11 casualties. | The Texans suffer just 11 casualties. |
165 | 00:13:12,356 | 00:13:15,490 | The crushing defeat leads to Mexico's surrender. | The crushing defeat leads to Mexico's surrender. |
166 | 00:13:20,800 | 00:13:23,933 | And Texas finally wins independence. | And Texas finally wins independence. |
167 | 00:13:33,813 | 00:13:36,598 | Back in Washington, DC.. | Back in Washington, DC.. |
168 | 00:13:36,641 | 00:13:38,730 | ...Jackson welcomes the news. | ...Jackson welcomes the news. |
169 | 00:13:40,907 | 00:13:44,345 | He's dreamed of Texas joining the US for years. | He's dreamed of Texas joining the US for years. |
170 | 00:13:44,388 | 00:13:48,566 | But the future of Texas is caught in the growing debate | But the future of Texas is caught in the growing debate |
171 | 00:13:48,610 | 00:13:51,439 | over slavery. | over slavery. |
172 | 00:13:51,482 | 00:13:54,485 | Congress wasn't willing to go along with annexation | Congress wasn't willing to go along with annexation |
173 | 00:13:54,529 | 00:13:57,793 | because Texas would enter the union with slavery. | because Texas would enter the union with slavery. |
174 | 00:13:57,837 | 00:14:00,665 | And the addition of Texas | And the addition of Texas |
175 | 00:14:00,709 | 00:14:02,798 | would tip the balance in the senate | would tip the balance in the senate |
176 | 00:14:02,842 | 00:14:05,583 | in favor of the pro slavery side. | in favor of the pro slavery side. |
177 | 00:14:08,586 | 00:14:12,199 | The result of this was that Texas remained in this limbo | The result of this was that Texas remained in this limbo |
178 | 00:14:12,242 | 00:14:13,678 | for almost a decade. | for almost a decade. |
179 | 00:14:17,073 | 00:14:21,164 | In 1837, Jackson's presidency ends | In 1837, Jackson's presidency ends |
180 | 00:14:21,208 | 00:14:24,733 | with one goal unfulfilled. | with one goal unfulfilled. |
181 | 00:14:24,776 | 00:14:28,563 | A nation stretching all the way to the Pacific. | A nation stretching all the way to the Pacific. |
182 | 00:14:28,606 | 00:14:30,826 | Andrew Jackson remained politically involved | Andrew Jackson remained politically involved |
183 | 00:14:30,870 | 00:14:33,220 | even after he retired. | even after he retired. |
184 | 00:14:33,263 | 00:14:35,787 | He was writing constant letters to people | He was writing constant letters to people |
185 | 00:14:35,831 | 00:14:37,964 | giving very strong opinions about subject | giving very strong opinions about subject |
186 | 00:14:38,007 | 00:14:40,140 | after subject after subject. | after subject after subject. |
187 | 00:14:40,183 | 00:14:42,011 | And he was a man who believed in the expansion | And he was a man who believed in the expansion |
188 | 00:14:42,055 | 00:14:43,752 | of the United States. | of the United States. |
189 | 00:14:47,799 | 00:14:50,933 | Expansion in the southwest may be stalled | Expansion in the southwest may be stalled |
190 | 00:14:50,977 | 00:14:53,022 | but the United States still has a claim | but the United States still has a claim |
191 | 00:14:53,066 | 00:14:54,284 | in the northwest. | in the northwest. |
192 | 00:14:56,286 | 00:15:00,029 | Located between British Canada and Mexico's holdings | Located between British Canada and Mexico's holdings |
193 | 00:15:00,073 | 00:15:03,946 | the Oregon Territory is 250,000 square miles | the Oregon Territory is 250,000 square miles |
194 | 00:15:03,990 | 00:15:06,253 | of disputed land.. | of disputed land.. |
195 | 00:15:06,296 | 00:15:10,518 | ...claimed by Britain, Native Americans, and the US. | ...claimed by Britain, Native Americans, and the US. |
196 | 00:15:12,346 | 00:15:14,435 | Lewis and Clark planted a flag here | Lewis and Clark planted a flag here |
197 | 00:15:14,478 | 00:15:16,567 | four decades ago. | four decades ago. |
198 | 00:15:16,611 | 00:15:20,397 | But to truly own it, the US needs settlers.. | But to truly own it, the US needs settlers.. |
199 | 00:15:20,441 | 00:15:22,182 | ...and that's a problem. | ...and that's a problem. |
200 | 00:15:26,621 | 00:15:29,754 | Americans really didn't know how to make it to Oregon. | Americans really didn't know how to make it to Oregon. |
201 | 00:15:29,798 | 00:15:32,757 | They were aware that there was very fertile farmland there | They were aware that there was very fertile farmland there |
202 | 00:15:32,801 | 00:15:35,543 | but no one was exactly sure how to make it there. | but no one was exactly sure how to make it there. |
203 | 00:15:35,586 | 00:15:38,720 | And the entire prospect of traveling all the way | And the entire prospect of traveling all the way |
204 | 00:15:38,763 | 00:15:41,679 | across the nation was understandably daunting. | across the nation was understandably daunting. |
205 | 00:15:48,077 | 00:15:49,949 | So, in 1842.. | So, in 1842.. |
206 | 00:15:51,994 | 00:15:54,214 | ...the United States Army sends a lieutenant | ...the United States Army sends a lieutenant |
207 | 00:15:54,257 | 00:15:56,520 | from the topographical corps. | from the topographical corps. |
208 | 00:15:56,564 | 00:15:59,393 | His name is John C. Fremont. | His name is John C. Fremont. |
209 | 00:16:01,047 | 00:16:03,092 | His mission, map a route | His mission, map a route |
210 | 00:16:03,136 | 00:16:05,007 | from Missouri to Oregon | from Missouri to Oregon |
211 | 00:16:05,051 | 00:16:07,270 | that wagon trains of pioneers | that wagon trains of pioneers |
212 | 00:16:07,314 | 00:16:09,620 | can safely travel. | can safely travel. |
213 | 00:16:09,664 | 00:16:12,493 | John C. Fremont is actually an illegitimate son. | John C. Fremont is actually an illegitimate son. |
214 | 00:16:12,536 | 00:16:14,321 | He's born in poverty. | He's born in poverty. |
215 | 00:16:14,364 | 00:16:15,931 | He gets a mentor | He gets a mentor |
216 | 00:16:15,975 | 00:16:18,890 | who actually goes on to become Secretary of War | who actually goes on to become Secretary of War |
217 | 00:16:18,934 | 00:16:20,805 | who gets him a job surveying | who gets him a job surveying |
218 | 00:16:20,849 | 00:16:23,069 | on the Upper Mississippi River. | on the Upper Mississippi River. |
219 | 00:16:27,073 | 00:16:29,553 | Fremont was vainglorious | Fremont was vainglorious |
220 | 00:16:29,597 | 00:16:32,817 | arrogant, extremely ambitious. | arrogant, extremely ambitious. |
221 | 00:16:32,861 | 00:16:35,037 | Eh, he didn't just want to be an explorer | Eh, he didn't just want to be an explorer |
222 | 00:16:35,081 | 00:16:37,474 | he wanted to be a senator, he wanted to be president. | he wanted to be a senator, he wanted to be president. |
223 | 00:16:43,002 | 00:16:45,265 | But he's never been west of the Mississippi. | But he's never been west of the Mississippi. |
224 | 00:16:48,746 | 00:16:52,272 | So he turns to the most skilled guide on the frontier.. | So he turns to the most skilled guide on the frontier.. |
225 | 00:16:54,622 | 00:16:56,102 | ...Kit Carson. | ...Kit Carson. |
226 | 00:16:59,192 | 00:17:03,196 | Kit Carson came from very humble origins. | Kit Carson came from very humble origins. |
227 | 00:17:03,239 | 00:17:05,937 | He had no formal education, he was illiterate | He had no formal education, he was illiterate |
228 | 00:17:05,981 | 00:17:07,809 | yet he was incredibly knowledgeable | yet he was incredibly knowledgeable |
229 | 00:17:07,852 | 00:17:09,637 | about the land of the west. | about the land of the west. |
230 | 00:17:09,680 | 00:17:12,074 | He spoke multiple languages. | He spoke multiple languages. |
231 | 00:17:12,118 | 00:17:14,424 | He had relationships with native tribes. | He had relationships with native tribes. |
232 | 00:17:14,468 | 00:17:16,513 | He knew the topography. | He knew the topography. |
233 | 00:17:16,557 | 00:17:19,081 | Uh, he knew how to fight, he knew how to hunt. | Uh, he knew how to fight, he knew how to hunt. |
234 | 00:17:19,125 | 00:17:22,563 | So here is somebody who had an invaluable knowledge | So here is somebody who had an invaluable knowledge |
235 | 00:17:22,606 | 00:17:25,914 | that allowed him to go between both worlds. | that allowed him to go between both worlds. |
236 | 00:17:33,487 | 00:17:37,665 | Growing up, Carson was raised among frontier legends | Growing up, Carson was raised among frontier legends |
237 | 00:17:37,708 | 00:17:41,756 | and mastered wilderness skills at an early age. | and mastered wilderness skills at an early age. |
238 | 00:17:44,411 | 00:17:46,108 | Carson was born in Kentucky | Carson was born in Kentucky |
239 | 00:17:46,152 | 00:17:49,068 | and he moved to Missouri as a child. | and he moved to Missouri as a child. |
240 | 00:17:49,111 | 00:17:51,548 | His family became close friends with the Boones. | His family became close friends with the Boones. |
241 | 00:17:51,592 | 00:17:54,421 | They lived in a place called Boone's Lick. | They lived in a place called Boone's Lick. |
242 | 00:17:54,464 | 00:17:57,250 | The Carson family, of course, was-was quite well aware | The Carson family, of course, was-was quite well aware |
243 | 00:17:57,293 | 00:18:00,949 | of Daniel Boone and his legend, and there was this desire | of Daniel Boone and his legend, and there was this desire |
244 | 00:18:00,992 | 00:18:04,126 | to keep that westward movement going, uh, to keep finding | to keep that westward movement going, uh, to keep finding |
245 | 00:18:04,170 | 00:18:06,172 | the frontier, to keep breaking ground. | the frontier, to keep breaking ground. |
246 | 00:18:06,215 | 00:18:08,609 | They were literally carving a civilization | They were literally carving a civilization |
247 | 00:18:08,652 | 00:18:10,306 | out of the wilderness there. | out of the wilderness there. |
248 | 00:18:15,616 | 00:18:19,185 | By age 16, he left home for good. | By age 16, he left home for good. |
249 | 00:18:19,228 | 00:18:21,230 | Hungry for adventure. | Hungry for adventure. |
250 | 00:18:25,626 | 00:18:29,195 | Now, with Fremont, he'll embark on a mission | Now, with Fremont, he'll embark on a mission |
251 | 00:18:29,238 | 00:18:31,762 | that will test all of his skills. | that will test all of his skills. |
252 | 00:18:36,289 | 00:18:39,335 | Fremont and Carson were a bit of an odd couple. | Fremont and Carson were a bit of an odd couple. |
253 | 00:18:39,379 | 00:18:41,729 | They were completely opposite. | They were completely opposite. |
254 | 00:18:41,772 | 00:18:43,992 | Uh, today, we might say Fremont was a bit of a nerd | Uh, today, we might say Fremont was a bit of a nerd |
255 | 00:18:44,035 | 00:18:45,602 | and Carson was the cool kid. | and Carson was the cool kid. |
256 | 00:18:45,646 | 00:18:47,387 | Carson was rugged | Carson was rugged |
257 | 00:18:47,430 | 00:18:49,519 | and had experience in the frontier. | and had experience in the frontier. |
258 | 00:18:49,563 | 00:18:51,521 | He didn't seek fame or fortune. | He didn't seek fame or fortune. |
259 | 00:18:51,565 | 00:18:52,827 | He didn't look for the spotlight. | He didn't look for the spotlight. |
260 | 00:18:52,870 | 00:18:55,134 | And so, these two in many ways | And so, these two in many ways |
261 | 00:18:55,177 | 00:18:57,919 | couldn't have been more different, but at the same time | couldn't have been more different, but at the same time |
262 | 00:18:57,962 | 00:19:00,182 | complemented each other very well. | complemented each other very well. |
263 | 00:19:04,491 | 00:19:06,449 | Over the course of five months | Over the course of five months |
264 | 00:19:06,493 | 00:19:09,670 | Fremont and Carson lead some three dozen men | Fremont and Carson lead some three dozen men |
265 | 00:19:09,713 | 00:19:13,891 | more than 2000 miles, through treacherous terrain | more than 2000 miles, through treacherous terrain |
266 | 00:19:13,935 | 00:19:17,939 | known for extreme changes in temperature and altitude. | known for extreme changes in temperature and altitude. |
267 | 00:19:23,249 | 00:19:25,990 | This expedition was very, very dangerous. | This expedition was very, very dangerous. |
268 | 00:19:26,034 | 00:19:27,688 | They were going to parts of the world | They were going to parts of the world |
269 | 00:19:27,731 | 00:19:30,560 | that had never been explored before. | that had never been explored before. |
270 | 00:19:30,604 | 00:19:31,996 | They were a small party. | They were a small party. |
271 | 00:19:32,040 | 00:19:34,477 | Um, they were relatively well-armed | Um, they were relatively well-armed |
272 | 00:19:34,521 | 00:19:37,654 | but, um, they could always be ambushed. | but, um, they could always be ambushed. |
273 | 00:19:37,698 | 00:19:39,700 | And certainly Fremont understood that | And certainly Fremont understood that |
274 | 00:19:39,743 | 00:19:44,052 | and, and was very, very glad to have a guide like Carson. | and, and was very, very glad to have a guide like Carson. |
275 | 00:20:08,294 | 00:20:11,035 | On October 24th, 1843.. | On October 24th, 1843.. |
276 | 00:20:17,433 | 00:20:19,696 | ...Fremont and Carson finally reach | ...Fremont and Carson finally reach |
277 | 00:20:19,740 | 00:20:22,308 | the Oregon Territory. | the Oregon Territory. |
278 | 00:20:27,443 | 00:20:28,444 | We made it! | We made it! |
279 | 00:20:30,229 | 00:20:31,708 | The path they chart | The path they chart |
280 | 00:20:31,752 | 00:20:33,667 | becomes famous.. | becomes famous.. |
281 | 00:20:33,710 | 00:20:35,364 | ...the Oregon Trail. | ...the Oregon Trail. |
282 | 00:20:38,367 | 00:20:41,675 | It paves the way for 400,000 settlers | It paves the way for 400,000 settlers |
283 | 00:20:41,718 | 00:20:44,504 | to move west in the decades to come.. | to move west in the decades to come.. |
284 | 00:20:48,508 | 00:20:50,684 | ...opening a new frontier | ...opening a new frontier |
285 | 00:20:50,727 | 00:20:53,730 | and strengthening the United States' claim | and strengthening the United States' claim |
286 | 00:20:53,774 | 00:20:55,689 | to the northwest. | to the northwest. |
287 | 00:21:06,221 | 00:21:09,485 | One year after Carson and Fremont reach Oregon.. | One year after Carson and Fremont reach Oregon.. |
288 | 00:21:12,009 | 00:21:16,927 | ...the 1844 campaign for the presidency is underway. | ...the 1844 campaign for the presidency is underway. |
289 | 00:21:16,971 | 00:21:20,061 | In my opinion, our national security | In my opinion, our national security |
290 | 00:21:20,104 | 00:21:23,412 | requires the annexation of Texas. | requires the annexation of Texas. |
291 | 00:21:23,456 | 00:21:25,109 | 'And should not stop' | 'And should not stop' |
292 | 00:21:25,153 | 00:21:28,156 | until our domain extends from ocean to ocean. | until our domain extends from ocean to ocean. |
293 | 00:21:31,028 | 00:21:33,901 | Dark horse candidate, James K. Polk | Dark horse candidate, James K. Polk |
294 | 00:21:33,944 | 00:21:36,904 | believes in one thing above all.. | believes in one thing above all.. |
295 | 00:21:36,947 | 00:21:39,210 | ...expanding America's borders. | ...expanding America's borders. |
296 | 00:21:41,430 | 00:21:44,128 | It's a vision he shares with his mentor | It's a vision he shares with his mentor |
297 | 00:21:44,172 | 00:21:45,652 | Andrew Jackson. | Andrew Jackson. |
298 | 00:21:47,567 | 00:21:49,569 | We're vulnerable here and here. | We're vulnerable here and here. |
299 | 00:21:49,612 | 00:21:51,571 | And we're going to continue to be vulnerable | And we're going to continue to be vulnerable |
300 | 00:21:51,614 | 00:21:54,574 | unless we secure our borders to the south and to the west. | unless we secure our borders to the south and to the west. |
301 | 00:21:54,617 | 00:21:56,924 | I couldn't agree more. | I couldn't agree more. |
302 | 00:21:56,967 | 00:21:58,360 | Andrew Jackson was known as Old Hickory | Andrew Jackson was known as Old Hickory |
303 | 00:21:58,404 | 00:21:59,840 | because he was so tough. | because he was so tough. |
304 | 00:21:59,883 | 00:22:01,450 | James K. Polk was known as Young Hickory | James K. Polk was known as Young Hickory |
305 | 00:22:01,494 | 00:22:03,365 | the idea being that he was a sapling | the idea being that he was a sapling |
306 | 00:22:03,409 | 00:22:06,020 | in Andrew Jackson's model. | in Andrew Jackson's model. |
307 | 00:22:06,063 | 00:22:07,804 | The last two presidents have done nothing. | The last two presidents have done nothing. |
308 | 00:22:07,848 | 00:22:09,719 | They're useless. They're, they're afraid to act. | They're useless. They're, they're afraid to act. |
309 | 00:22:09,763 | 00:22:11,068 | We have to take Texas. | We have to take Texas. |
310 | 00:22:11,112 | 00:22:14,115 | That has to be our first priority. | That has to be our first priority. |
311 | 00:22:14,158 | 00:22:17,118 | Polk was a younger generation of politician. | Polk was a younger generation of politician. |
312 | 00:22:17,161 | 00:22:20,904 | As the 1844 election approached | As the 1844 election approached |
313 | 00:22:20,948 | 00:22:23,516 | Jackson made clear that if you were a supporter | Jackson made clear that if you were a supporter |
314 | 00:22:23,559 | 00:22:26,736 | of Andrew Jackson, you would go with James Polk. | of Andrew Jackson, you would go with James Polk. |
315 | 00:22:32,263 | 00:22:34,309 | Polk is able to capitalize | Polk is able to capitalize |
316 | 00:22:34,353 | 00:22:37,486 | on the legacy of Andrew Jackson. | on the legacy of Andrew Jackson. |
317 | 00:22:37,530 | 00:22:40,054 | This idea that Americans have a right | This idea that Americans have a right |
318 | 00:22:40,097 | 00:22:42,186 | in fact, a duty, a responsibility | in fact, a duty, a responsibility |
319 | 00:22:42,230 | 00:22:44,319 | to continue to expand westward. | to continue to expand westward. |
320 | 00:22:44,363 | 00:22:47,322 | That ultimately, it's this God-given dictate | That ultimately, it's this God-given dictate |
321 | 00:22:47,366 | 00:22:49,280 | that they must fulfill. | that they must fulfill. |
322 | 00:22:49,324 | 00:22:52,762 | And Polk is able to turn that into a political agenda | And Polk is able to turn that into a political agenda |
323 | 00:22:52,806 | 00:22:55,069 | that serves his own political designs. | that serves his own political designs. |
324 | 00:23:10,519 | 00:23:13,348 | Polk rides a wave of popular support | Polk rides a wave of popular support |
325 | 00:23:13,392 | 00:23:14,305 | to the White House.. | to the White House.. |
326 | 00:23:15,568 | 00:23:17,396 | ...then immediately delivers | ...then immediately delivers |
327 | 00:23:17,439 | 00:23:19,093 | on his campaign promise. | on his campaign promise. |
328 | 00:23:20,573 | 00:23:22,575 | By his first days in office | By his first days in office |
329 | 00:23:22,618 | 00:23:27,362 | Texas is on its way to becoming the 28th state.. | Texas is on its way to becoming the 28th state.. |
330 | 00:23:27,406 | 00:23:30,713 | ...adding another 300,000 square miles | ...adding another 300,000 square miles |
331 | 00:23:30,757 | 00:23:33,237 | to the nation. | to the nation. |
332 | 00:23:33,281 | 00:23:36,806 | So, Polk does what I wish more presidential candidates would do | So, Polk does what I wish more presidential candidates would do |
333 | 00:23:36,850 | 00:23:38,591 | says he's gonna do this, this, and this | says he's gonna do this, this, and this |
334 | 00:23:38,634 | 00:23:40,288 | and he's only gonna serve one term | and he's only gonna serve one term |
335 | 00:23:40,331 | 00:23:42,464 | so that he can, uh, step on a lot of toes | so that he can, uh, step on a lot of toes |
336 | 00:23:42,508 | 00:23:44,205 | and deny the special interests | and deny the special interests |
337 | 00:23:44,248 | 00:23:47,164 | and just pursue what he's elected to do. | and just pursue what he's elected to do. |
338 | 00:23:50,907 | 00:23:52,343 | The move fulfills | The move fulfills |
339 | 00:23:52,387 | 00:23:54,868 | Andrew Jackson's long-held dream | Andrew Jackson's long-held dream |
340 | 00:23:54,911 | 00:23:57,827 | to make Texas a state. | to make Texas a state. |
341 | 00:24:01,483 | 00:24:03,833 | But he doesn't live to see it come true. | But he doesn't live to see it come true. |
342 | 00:24:10,361 | 00:24:13,843 | Jackson's legacy was firmly establishing the principal | Jackson's legacy was firmly establishing the principal |
343 | 00:24:13,887 | 00:24:16,498 | that the ordinary people of America | that the ordinary people of America |
344 | 00:24:16,542 | 00:24:19,153 | wielded political power. | wielded political power. |
345 | 00:24:19,196 | 00:24:23,070 | He was a self-made individual. He didn't have an inheritance. | He was a self-made individual. He didn't have an inheritance. |
346 | 00:24:23,113 | 00:24:26,203 | He didn't have name recognition handed to him. | He didn't have name recognition handed to him. |
347 | 00:24:26,247 | 00:24:28,902 | Today, people don't like Jackson | Today, people don't like Jackson |
348 | 00:24:28,945 | 00:24:32,514 | largely because Jackson's hard Indian policy | largely because Jackson's hard Indian policy |
349 | 00:24:32,558 | 00:24:35,169 | offend modern sensibilities. | offend modern sensibilities. |
350 | 00:24:40,217 | 00:24:42,785 | But what's forgotten about Jackson | But what's forgotten about Jackson |
351 | 00:24:42,829 | 00:24:45,962 | is his enormous positive contributions. | is his enormous positive contributions. |
352 | 00:24:46,006 | 00:24:48,051 | To hold the United States together | To hold the United States together |
353 | 00:24:48,095 | 00:24:49,879 | in the face of challenges.. | in the face of challenges.. |
354 | 00:24:49,923 | 00:24:52,316 | Fire! | Fire! |
355 | 00:24:52,360 | 00:24:54,101 | ...and to defend the United States | ...and to defend the United States |
356 | 00:24:54,144 | 00:24:56,407 | against foreign attack. | against foreign attack. |
357 | 00:24:56,451 | 00:24:59,976 | Jackson recognized that the American experiment | Jackson recognized that the American experiment |
358 | 00:25:00,020 | 00:25:02,762 | in self-government was an ongoing experiment | in self-government was an ongoing experiment |
359 | 00:25:02,805 | 00:25:05,634 | and its success was not guaranteed. | and its success was not guaranteed. |
360 | 00:25:05,678 | 00:25:07,767 | He was the one who really imprinted that | He was the one who really imprinted that |
361 | 00:25:07,810 | 00:25:10,247 | on the American psyche. | on the American psyche. |
362 | 00:25:12,815 | 00:25:14,948 | Jackson was emblematic of the contradictions | Jackson was emblematic of the contradictions |
363 | 00:25:14,991 | 00:25:17,080 | of the American frontiersmen. | of the American frontiersmen. |
364 | 00:25:17,124 | 00:25:20,997 | It was all jumbled together in this one huge figure | It was all jumbled together in this one huge figure |
365 | 00:25:21,041 | 00:25:23,522 | the impressive, and the not so impressive | the impressive, and the not so impressive |
366 | 00:25:23,565 | 00:25:25,393 | and the good, and the appalling. | and the good, and the appalling. |
367 | 00:25:33,662 | 00:25:37,536 | President Polk intends to build on Jackson's legacy.. | President Polk intends to build on Jackson's legacy.. |
368 | 00:25:37,579 | 00:25:40,103 | Seizing the final open pieces of land | Seizing the final open pieces of land |
369 | 00:25:40,147 | 00:25:42,845 | in North America. | in North America. |
370 | 00:25:42,889 | 00:25:45,500 | Polk isn't content to just look at Texas. | Polk isn't content to just look at Texas. |
371 | 00:25:45,544 | 00:25:47,154 | Of course, he wants Texas | Of course, he wants Texas |
372 | 00:25:47,197 | 00:25:49,548 | but he's going to look broader beyond that. | but he's going to look broader beyond that. |
373 | 00:25:49,591 | 00:25:51,593 | Polk wants the entire continent. | Polk wants the entire continent. |
374 | 00:25:54,683 | 00:25:56,598 | There's just one concern. | There's just one concern. |
375 | 00:25:56,642 | 00:25:59,514 | Mexico controls most of it | Mexico controls most of it |
376 | 00:25:59,558 | 00:26:02,778 | including the biggest prize, California. | including the biggest prize, California. |
377 | 00:26:04,954 | 00:26:07,914 | This is what I want and it should not be hard to take. | This is what I want and it should not be hard to take. |
378 | 00:26:12,222 | 00:26:14,747 | Overflowing with natural resources | Overflowing with natural resources |
379 | 00:26:14,790 | 00:26:19,316 | California also has over 3000 miles of coastline | California also has over 3000 miles of coastline |
380 | 00:26:19,360 | 00:26:23,277 | offering unparalleled access to Pacific trade | offering unparalleled access to Pacific trade |
381 | 00:26:23,320 | 00:26:26,497 | something every president since Jefferson has coveted. | something every president since Jefferson has coveted. |
382 | 00:26:29,239 | 00:26:32,025 | California is a very desirable place in the world. | California is a very desirable place in the world. |
383 | 00:26:32,068 | 00:26:34,984 | Very, uh, beautiful and, and very fertile. | Very, uh, beautiful and, and very fertile. |
384 | 00:26:35,028 | 00:26:37,639 | The Mexicans, of course, have their claim to it | The Mexicans, of course, have their claim to it |
385 | 00:26:37,683 | 00:26:40,555 | the British are quite interested in settling its | the British are quite interested in settling its |
386 | 00:26:40,599 | 00:26:43,079 | uh, and expanding, uh | uh, and expanding, uh |
387 | 00:26:43,123 | 00:26:45,952 | the northwestern territories for themselves. | the northwestern territories for themselves. |
388 | 00:26:47,823 | 00:26:51,827 | Americans knew all about the glory of California | Americans knew all about the glory of California |
389 | 00:26:51,871 | 00:26:55,657 | the immense wealth of California. | the immense wealth of California. |
390 | 00:26:55,701 | 00:27:00,140 | There was a very important trade already going on in hides | There was a very important trade already going on in hides |
391 | 00:27:00,183 | 00:27:02,664 | animal hides, and above all | animal hides, and above all |
392 | 00:27:02,708 | 00:27:05,841 | Americans were interested in the main ports. | Americans were interested in the main ports. |
393 | 00:27:09,584 | 00:27:11,107 | Thank you, gentlemen. | Thank you, gentlemen. |
394 | 00:27:11,151 | 00:27:13,153 | That will be all. | That will be all. |
395 | 00:27:17,548 | 00:27:21,117 | Polk is determined to take California.. | Polk is determined to take California.. |
396 | 00:27:21,161 | 00:27:24,207 | ...but with congress unwilling to start a new war | ...but with congress unwilling to start a new war |
397 | 00:27:24,251 | 00:27:27,602 | he devises a secret plan. | he devises a secret plan. |
398 | 00:27:27,646 | 00:27:30,649 | Using the Texas rebellion as a model | Using the Texas rebellion as a model |
399 | 00:27:30,692 | 00:27:33,826 | he'll try to incite an uprising | he'll try to incite an uprising |
400 | 00:27:33,869 | 00:27:36,655 | and the man he chooses to lead his mission | and the man he chooses to lead his mission |
401 | 00:27:36,698 | 00:27:39,832 | is the most famous explorer in America. | is the most famous explorer in America. |
402 | 00:27:43,444 | 00:27:45,228 | Mr. Fremont. | Mr. Fremont. |
403 | 00:27:47,753 | 00:27:50,146 | I read your reports. | I read your reports. |
404 | 00:27:50,190 | 00:27:52,061 | And I found them very interesting. | And I found them very interesting. |
405 | 00:27:52,105 | 00:27:55,195 | Thank you, Mr. President, I'm honored. | Thank you, Mr. President, I'm honored. |
406 | 00:27:55,238 | 00:27:57,066 | But I, uh, I don't imagine | But I, uh, I don't imagine |
407 | 00:27:57,110 | 00:27:58,415 | you took time out of your schedule | you took time out of your schedule |
408 | 00:27:58,459 | 00:28:00,635 | just to tell me that. | just to tell me that. |
409 | 00:28:00,679 | 00:28:03,116 | No, no, I didn't invite you here | No, no, I didn't invite you here |
410 | 00:28:03,159 | 00:28:06,119 | to talk about your past expeditions | to talk about your past expeditions |
411 | 00:28:06,162 | 00:28:08,469 | but rather a future one. | but rather a future one. |
412 | 00:28:08,512 | 00:28:10,079 | Another trail to Oregon? | Another trail to Oregon? |
413 | 00:28:11,472 | 00:28:12,778 | Not exactly. | Not exactly. |
414 | 00:28:14,649 | 00:28:17,217 | Officially, your mission will be to map out | Officially, your mission will be to map out |
415 | 00:28:17,260 | 00:28:19,306 | a new territory, and to discover | a new territory, and to discover |
416 | 00:28:19,349 | 00:28:21,656 | the source of the Arkansas River. | the source of the Arkansas River. |
417 | 00:28:24,137 | 00:28:27,357 | Unofficially, when you get to the Rocky Mountains | Unofficially, when you get to the Rocky Mountains |
418 | 00:28:27,401 | 00:28:29,751 | I want you to ride south.. | I want you to ride south.. |
419 | 00:28:29,795 | 00:28:31,274 | ...into California. | ...into California. |
420 | 00:28:32,754 | 00:28:34,625 | Once in California | Once in California |
421 | 00:28:34,669 | 00:28:36,845 | I want you to talk to the local settlers. | I want you to talk to the local settlers. |
422 | 00:28:38,281 | 00:28:40,457 | And if you can.. | And if you can.. |
423 | 00:28:40,501 | 00:28:42,242 | ...incite rebellion. | ...incite rebellion. |
424 | 00:28:44,070 | 00:28:46,246 | And you're sending me because you don't want it | And you're sending me because you don't want it |
425 | 00:28:46,289 | 00:28:49,205 | to appear to be a military operation. | to appear to be a military operation. |
426 | 00:28:49,249 | 00:28:50,772 | Exactly. | Exactly. |
427 | 00:28:50,816 | 00:28:52,556 | I just need one thing from you. | I just need one thing from you. |
428 | 00:28:52,600 | 00:28:54,080 | And that would be? | And that would be? |
429 | 00:28:55,995 | 00:28:57,474 | Kit Carson. | Kit Carson. |
430 | 00:29:12,838 | 00:29:16,232 | President Polk was purposefully | President Polk was purposefully |
431 | 00:29:16,276 | 00:29:20,715 | placing an explorer in a capacity to take advantage | placing an explorer in a capacity to take advantage |
432 | 00:29:20,759 | 00:29:23,544 | of any sort of instability in California. | of any sort of instability in California. |
433 | 00:29:23,587 | 00:29:25,851 | The idea that he's simply there | The idea that he's simply there |
434 | 00:29:25,894 | 00:29:29,245 | in official capacity as an explorer and a map maker. | in official capacity as an explorer and a map maker. |
435 | 00:29:29,289 | 00:29:32,901 | Polk needed to provide plausible deniability. | Polk needed to provide plausible deniability. |
436 | 00:29:32,945 | 00:29:35,425 | With around 60 heavily armed men | With around 60 heavily armed men |
437 | 00:29:35,469 | 00:29:38,254 | Fremont moves towards California. | Fremont moves towards California. |
438 | 00:29:38,298 | 00:29:41,344 | Tasked with inciting a rebellion | Tasked with inciting a rebellion |
439 | 00:29:41,388 | 00:29:43,216 | without starting a war. | without starting a war. |
440 | 00:30:08,850 | 00:30:14,900 | John Fremont and Kit Carson are on their way to California | John Fremont and Kit Carson are on their way to California |
441 | 00:30:14,943 | 00:30:17,554 | part of President Polk's covert scheme | part of President Polk's covert scheme |
442 | 00:30:17,598 | 00:30:21,602 | to extend US borders all the way to the coast. | to extend US borders all the way to the coast. |
443 | 00:30:25,388 | 00:30:28,087 | Polk was an outspoken expansionist. | Polk was an outspoken expansionist. |
444 | 00:30:28,130 | 00:30:31,612 | He wanted Texas, he wanted California, he wanted Oregon. | He wanted Texas, he wanted California, he wanted Oregon. |
445 | 00:30:31,655 | 00:30:33,919 | He was going to push out the American frontier | He was going to push out the American frontier |
446 | 00:30:33,962 | 00:30:36,008 | all the way to the Pacific. | all the way to the Pacific. |
447 | 00:30:39,663 | 00:30:42,144 | Disguised as a surveying mission | Disguised as a surveying mission |
448 | 00:30:42,188 | 00:30:46,235 | their real goal is to find American settlers.. | their real goal is to find American settlers.. |
449 | 00:30:46,279 | 00:30:49,412 | ...and incite them into rebelling against Mexico. | ...and incite them into rebelling against Mexico. |
450 | 00:31:02,730 | 00:31:06,690 | By winter, Fremont and Carson arrive at Sutter's Fort | By winter, Fremont and Carson arrive at Sutter's Fort |
451 | 00:31:06,734 | 00:31:09,258 | in modern-day Sacramento | in modern-day Sacramento |
452 | 00:31:09,302 | 00:31:12,305 | the first American settlement in California. | the first American settlement in California. |
453 | 00:31:17,832 | 00:31:19,181 | In California of 1845 | In California of 1845 |
454 | 00:31:19,225 | 00:31:21,618 | there were about eight to ten thousand people | there were about eight to ten thousand people |
455 | 00:31:21,662 | 00:31:24,012 | living in California, mostly Mexican Californios | living in California, mostly Mexican Californios |
456 | 00:31:24,056 | 00:31:27,276 | and about a thousand or so Americans | and about a thousand or so Americans |
457 | 00:31:27,320 | 00:31:28,887 | couple hundred foreigners | couple hundred foreigners |
458 | 00:31:28,930 | 00:31:30,714 | German, British, Swiss. | German, British, Swiss. |
459 | 00:31:30,758 | 00:31:32,064 | And the Mexicans had welcomed them | And the Mexicans had welcomed them |
460 | 00:31:32,107 | 00:31:35,197 | because California was a far-flung province | because California was a far-flung province |
461 | 00:31:35,241 | 00:31:37,678 | and underpopulated. | and underpopulated. |
462 | 00:31:37,721 | 00:31:40,333 | The American settlers who pushed west | The American settlers who pushed west |
463 | 00:31:40,376 | 00:31:43,945 | were looking for land but in Northern California | were looking for land but in Northern California |
464 | 00:31:43,989 | 00:31:45,904 | it's, it's really kind of a, a rabble. | it's, it's really kind of a, a rabble. |
465 | 00:31:47,993 | 00:31:50,343 | A lot of these guys are drunks. | A lot of these guys are drunks. |
466 | 00:31:50,386 | 00:31:52,214 | Unsavory characters. | Unsavory characters. |
467 | 00:31:56,958 | 00:31:59,091 | You look empty there, friend, can I buy you a drink? | You look empty there, friend, can I buy you a drink? |
468 | 00:32:05,924 | 00:32:08,535 | - Can I ask why you came? - Good land. | - Can I ask why you came? - Good land. |
469 | 00:32:10,711 | 00:32:13,366 | You don't really own that land, do you? | You don't really own that land, do you? |
470 | 00:32:13,409 | 00:32:14,715 | Mexican government does. | Mexican government does. |
471 | 00:32:18,240 | 00:32:22,636 | Mexico allows Americans to settle and work the land | Mexico allows Americans to settle and work the land |
472 | 00:32:22,679 | 00:32:25,334 | but not to legally own it.. | but not to legally own it.. |
473 | 00:32:25,378 | 00:32:28,294 | ...infuriating settlers | ...infuriating settlers |
474 | 00:32:28,337 | 00:32:31,253 | and playing right into Fremont's hands. | and playing right into Fremont's hands. |
475 | 00:32:34,474 | 00:32:38,608 | Mexico's hold over California is quite tenuous. | Mexico's hold over California is quite tenuous. |
476 | 00:32:38,652 | 00:32:40,654 | And, lo and behold, there is John C. Fremont | And, lo and behold, there is John C. Fremont |
477 | 00:32:40,697 | 00:32:42,177 | in the middle of all this. | in the middle of all this. |
478 | 00:32:42,221 | 00:32:45,441 | This explorer who has these secret orders | This explorer who has these secret orders |
479 | 00:32:45,485 | 00:32:48,183 | from Washington, who's very well connected | from Washington, who's very well connected |
480 | 00:32:48,227 | 00:32:50,533 | uh, who's part of the army. | uh, who's part of the army. |
481 | 00:32:52,709 | 00:32:54,015 | 'Now did you know there's a Mexican fellow' | 'Now did you know there's a Mexican fellow' |
482 | 00:32:54,059 | 00:32:57,062 | in charge of California? Did you? | in charge of California? Did you? |
483 | 00:32:57,105 | 00:32:58,280 | That's because he doesn't come around. | That's because he doesn't come around. |
484 | 00:33:00,674 | 00:33:03,546 | When Fremont showed up in California in 1845 | When Fremont showed up in California in 1845 |
485 | 00:33:03,590 | 00:33:05,896 | he found a populous that was deeply disenchanted | he found a populous that was deeply disenchanted |
486 | 00:33:05,940 | 00:33:07,246 | with Mexican rule. | with Mexican rule. |
487 | 00:33:10,379 | 00:33:13,165 | It doesn't matter if you bought the land, if you own the land | It doesn't matter if you bought the land, if you own the land |
488 | 00:33:13,208 | 00:33:15,471 | if you work the land, it doesn't even matter | if you work the land, it doesn't even matter |
489 | 00:33:15,515 | 00:33:17,778 | if you have become a Mexican citizen | if you have become a Mexican citizen |
490 | 00:33:17,821 | 00:33:19,693 | all for the love of your land | all for the love of your land |
491 | 00:33:19,736 | 00:33:22,609 | the Mexican government will take it away | the Mexican government will take it away |
492 | 00:33:22,652 | 00:33:24,698 | whenever they find that convenient. | whenever they find that convenient. |
493 | 00:33:27,353 | 00:33:29,659 | Fremont was very skilled. | Fremont was very skilled. |
494 | 00:33:29,703 | 00:33:31,966 | He was outgoing | He was outgoing |
495 | 00:33:32,010 | 00:33:36,492 | and so he attracted a lot of people to him. | and so he attracted a lot of people to him. |
496 | 00:33:36,536 | 00:33:42,324 | Who by right owns this land? Who by right owns it? | Who by right owns this land? Who by right owns it? |
497 | 00:33:42,368 | 00:33:45,240 | Fremont convinced Californian residents | Fremont convinced Californian residents |
498 | 00:33:45,284 | 00:33:46,894 | there was fighting to do. | there was fighting to do. |
499 | 00:33:46,937 | 00:33:49,462 | - 'Yeah.' - California, gentlemen. | - 'Yeah.' - California, gentlemen. |
500 | 00:33:49,505 | 00:33:50,463 | 'California.' | 'California.' |
501 | 00:33:58,079 | 00:34:00,647 | In Washington, Polk impatiently awaits | In Washington, Polk impatiently awaits |
502 | 00:34:00,690 | 00:34:03,519 | news from Fremont.. | news from Fremont.. |
503 | 00:34:03,563 | 00:34:05,260 | ...hoping California settlers | ...hoping California settlers |
504 | 00:34:05,304 | 00:34:07,262 | will rise up on their own. | will rise up on their own. |
505 | 00:34:09,395 | 00:34:12,093 | He knows congress won't approve a war with Mexico.. | He knows congress won't approve a war with Mexico.. |
506 | 00:34:13,573 | 00:34:15,444 | ...unless the US is attacked. | ...unless the US is attacked. |
507 | 00:34:20,449 | 00:34:22,103 | Tired of waiting | Tired of waiting |
508 | 00:34:22,147 | 00:34:24,845 | Polk sends the army to a disputed border | Polk sends the army to a disputed border |
509 | 00:34:24,888 | 00:34:27,065 | between Texas and Mexico. | between Texas and Mexico. |
510 | 00:34:27,108 | 00:34:30,329 | Certain he can provoke Mexico to strike first. | Certain he can provoke Mexico to strike first. |
511 | 00:34:31,895 | 00:34:33,854 | How many men in the fifth regiment? | How many men in the fifth regiment? |
512 | 00:34:33,897 | 00:34:35,725 | Polk was waiting for Mexico | Polk was waiting for Mexico |
513 | 00:34:35,769 | 00:34:38,946 | to rise to the bait and attack American forces. | to rise to the bait and attack American forces. |
514 | 00:34:38,989 | 00:34:41,688 | He believed that any war fought | He believed that any war fought |
515 | 00:34:41,731 | 00:34:44,343 | was going to result in more territory for the United States. | was going to result in more territory for the United States. |
516 | 00:34:47,302 | 00:34:50,653 | On April 25th, 1846 | On April 25th, 1846 |
517 | 00:34:50,697 | 00:34:53,395 | convinced American troops are invading | convinced American troops are invading |
518 | 00:34:53,439 | 00:34:56,572 | Mexico assaults a US patrol.. | Mexico assaults a US patrol.. |
519 | 00:34:56,616 | 00:34:57,965 | ...killing 11.. | ...killing 11.. |
520 | 00:34:59,967 | 00:35:02,491 | ...giving Polk exactly the provocation he needs. | ...giving Polk exactly the provocation he needs. |
521 | 00:35:05,059 | 00:35:07,540 | Polk went to congress and he said | Polk went to congress and he said |
522 | 00:35:07,583 | 00:35:10,760 | "American blood has been shed on American soil | "American blood has been shed on American soil |
523 | 00:35:10,804 | 00:35:14,286 | "and despite our best efforts to prevent war with Mexico | "and despite our best efforts to prevent war with Mexico |
524 | 00:35:14,329 | 00:35:15,765 | they have attacked us." | they have attacked us." |
525 | 00:35:15,809 | 00:35:17,811 | Now, this was a lie. | Now, this was a lie. |
526 | 00:35:17,854 | 00:35:22,555 | In fact, the land in question was not American land. | In fact, the land in question was not American land. |
527 | 00:35:25,210 | 00:35:27,168 | I won't say that this is the only instance | I won't say that this is the only instance |
528 | 00:35:27,212 | 00:35:30,432 | in American history in which, let's say, we fudge some things | in American history in which, let's say, we fudge some things |
529 | 00:35:30,476 | 00:35:32,347 | in order to get something we wanted | in order to get something we wanted |
530 | 00:35:32,391 | 00:35:34,697 | through an act of aggression | through an act of aggression |
531 | 00:35:34,741 | 00:35:36,873 | but this is certainly a great example. | but this is certainly a great example. |
532 | 00:35:39,485 | 00:35:41,400 | Mere weeks after the attack.. | Mere weeks after the attack.. |
533 | 00:35:44,881 | 00:35:47,754 | ...the US declares war on Mexico. | ...the US declares war on Mexico. |
534 | 00:35:53,586 | 00:35:55,805 | In California | In California |
535 | 00:35:55,849 | 00:35:58,591 | Fremont receives a message from Polk. | Fremont receives a message from Polk. |
536 | 00:36:00,549 | 00:36:02,986 | His mission is no longer secret. | His mission is no longer secret. |
537 | 00:36:04,771 | 00:36:06,164 | It's time to attack. | It's time to attack. |
538 | 00:36:10,559 | 00:36:13,780 | Fremont equips a rag tag army with rifles.. | Fremont equips a rag tag army with rifles.. |
539 | 00:36:15,912 | 00:36:18,524 | ...then marches toward present-day Sonoma. | ...then marches toward present-day Sonoma. |
540 | 00:36:20,395 | 00:36:24,225 | His goal, win California for Polk.. | His goal, win California for Polk.. |
541 | 00:36:24,269 | 00:36:25,835 | ...at any cost. | ...at any cost. |
542 | 00:36:37,586 | 00:36:40,415 | Following orders from President Polk | Following orders from President Polk |
543 | 00:36:40,459 | 00:36:43,984 | John Fremont leads a militia of 100 men, south. | John Fremont leads a militia of 100 men, south. |
544 | 00:36:45,812 | 00:36:50,208 | His mission, seize California for the US. | His mission, seize California for the US. |
545 | 00:36:54,081 | 00:36:56,736 | He plans first to attack Sonoma | He plans first to attack Sonoma |
546 | 00:36:56,779 | 00:37:00,609 | the largest settlement in Northern California. | the largest settlement in Northern California. |
547 | 00:37:00,653 | 00:37:02,829 | Then, he hopes to continue south | Then, he hopes to continue south |
548 | 00:37:02,872 | 00:37:06,049 | to Monterey, Los Angeles | to Monterey, Los Angeles |
549 | 00:37:06,093 | 00:37:08,313 | and finally, San Diego. | and finally, San Diego. |
550 | 00:37:11,925 | 00:37:14,710 | Let's go! | Let's go! |
551 | 00:37:14,754 | 00:37:18,105 | The Americans are relatively few in number | The Americans are relatively few in number |
552 | 00:37:18,148 | 00:37:20,716 | but because of John C. Fremont | but because of John C. Fremont |
553 | 00:37:20,760 | 00:37:23,110 | they are going to make their presence known | they are going to make their presence known |
554 | 00:37:23,153 | 00:37:27,070 | much more loudly than their numbers would indicate. | much more loudly than their numbers would indicate. |
555 | 00:37:37,167 | 00:37:39,953 | Relying on grit and determination | Relying on grit and determination |
556 | 00:37:39,996 | 00:37:44,610 | Fremont and Kit Carson begin their improbable conquest. | Fremont and Kit Carson begin their improbable conquest. |
557 | 00:37:47,482 | 00:37:49,136 | If there's one thing that marks John C. Fremont | If there's one thing that marks John C. Fremont |
558 | 00:37:49,179 | 00:37:50,529 | it's his ambition. | it's his ambition. |
559 | 00:37:50,572 | 00:37:53,053 | He was, he was driven to succeed. | He was, he was driven to succeed. |
560 | 00:37:53,096 | 00:37:54,924 | He was driven to be independent | He was driven to be independent |
561 | 00:37:54,968 | 00:37:58,624 | and I think the frontier for John C. Fremont | and I think the frontier for John C. Fremont |
562 | 00:37:58,667 | 00:38:02,323 | represented the route to secure his ambition. | represented the route to secure his ambition. |
563 | 00:38:02,367 | 00:38:05,457 | Notoriety, fame, wealth. | Notoriety, fame, wealth. |
564 | 00:38:05,500 | 00:38:07,720 | That's what California offered. | That's what California offered. |
565 | 00:38:11,419 | 00:38:15,075 | As word of Fremont's revolt begins to spread | As word of Fremont's revolt begins to spread |
566 | 00:38:15,118 | 00:38:17,425 | other settlers join the fight. | other settlers join the fight. |
567 | 00:38:19,122 | 00:38:22,212 | They call themselves Los Osos | They call themselves Los Osos |
568 | 00:38:22,256 | 00:38:24,345 | Spanish for "The Bears." | Spanish for "The Bears." |
569 | 00:38:28,044 | 00:38:32,179 | On June 14th, 1846.. | On June 14th, 1846.. |
570 | 00:38:32,222 | 00:38:36,052 | ...Fremont's fighters reach Sonoma. | ...Fremont's fighters reach Sonoma. |
571 | 00:38:36,096 | 00:38:39,273 | But are surprised to find the Mexican outpost | But are surprised to find the Mexican outpost |
572 | 00:38:39,317 | 00:38:41,188 | virtually undefended. | virtually undefended. |
573 | 00:38:49,283 | 00:38:51,938 | They capture it, in what becomes known | They capture it, in what becomes known |
574 | 00:38:51,981 | 00:38:54,027 | as The Bear Flag Revolt. | as The Bear Flag Revolt. |
575 | 00:38:57,378 | 00:39:01,295 | To mark their victory, they raise a makeshift flag | To mark their victory, they raise a makeshift flag |
576 | 00:39:01,339 | 00:39:02,949 | made from a cotton sheet | made from a cotton sheet |
577 | 00:39:02,992 | 00:39:05,168 | and decorated with a red grizzly bear. | and decorated with a red grizzly bear. |
578 | 00:39:07,345 | 00:39:09,434 | The design will later inspire | The design will later inspire |
579 | 00:39:09,477 | 00:39:11,871 | the state flag of California. | the state flag of California. |
580 | 00:39:15,744 | 00:39:17,311 | Alright, let's go! | Alright, let's go! |
581 | 00:39:20,488 | 00:39:24,274 | This revolt that begins to emerge | This revolt that begins to emerge |
582 | 00:39:24,318 | 00:39:27,669 | it was enough of a movement, um, to take hold | it was enough of a movement, um, to take hold |
583 | 00:39:27,713 | 00:39:29,279 | at least in Northern California | at least in Northern California |
584 | 00:39:29,323 | 00:39:30,977 | and to start this process | and to start this process |
585 | 00:39:31,020 | 00:39:33,545 | of the American conquest of California. | of the American conquest of California. |
586 | 00:39:39,420 | 00:39:42,771 | In just two months with few casualties | In just two months with few casualties |
587 | 00:39:42,815 | 00:39:46,688 | Fremont and Carson conquer most of California's coast. | Fremont and Carson conquer most of California's coast. |
588 | 00:39:49,299 | 00:39:52,433 | Under the direction of Fremont, this rabble of guys | Under the direction of Fremont, this rabble of guys |
589 | 00:39:52,477 | 00:39:54,653 | have accomplished this great feat. | have accomplished this great feat. |
590 | 00:39:54,696 | 00:39:58,526 | Never before in history had so much terrain been won | Never before in history had so much terrain been won |
591 | 00:39:58,570 | 00:40:01,224 | with so little conflict, with so little bloodshed | with so little conflict, with so little bloodshed |
592 | 00:40:01,268 | 00:40:04,010 | and won by such a small party of individuals. | and won by such a small party of individuals. |
593 | 00:40:12,148 | 00:40:15,674 | Polk's plan to win California seems to be working | Polk's plan to win California seems to be working |
594 | 00:40:15,717 | 00:40:18,677 | but without communication, he has no idea | but without communication, he has no idea |
595 | 00:40:18,720 | 00:40:21,636 | if Fremont and Carson are even alive. | if Fremont and Carson are even alive. |
596 | 00:40:25,510 | 00:40:28,730 | To hedge his bets, he dispatches a cavalry force | To hedge his bets, he dispatches a cavalry force |
597 | 00:40:28,774 | 00:40:31,037 | from Texas.. | from Texas.. |
598 | 00:40:31,080 | 00:40:34,475 | ...led by General Stephen Kearny. | ...led by General Stephen Kearny. |
599 | 00:40:34,519 | 00:40:37,435 | Stephen Watts Kearny has been an officer | Stephen Watts Kearny has been an officer |
600 | 00:40:37,478 | 00:40:40,002 | he's known Lewis and Clark | he's known Lewis and Clark |
601 | 00:40:40,046 | 00:40:42,483 | and Polk orders him west | and Polk orders him west |
602 | 00:40:42,527 | 00:40:44,572 | to go and capture Santa Fe | to go and capture Santa Fe |
603 | 00:40:44,616 | 00:40:46,922 | and then continue on down the Rio Grande | and then continue on down the Rio Grande |
604 | 00:40:46,966 | 00:40:49,359 | and eventually strike westward to California. | and eventually strike westward to California. |
605 | 00:41:00,936 | 00:41:03,461 | In early August, 1846.. | In early August, 1846.. |
606 | 00:41:05,898 | 00:41:08,857 | ...Fremont and Carson reach Los Angeles. | ...Fremont and Carson reach Los Angeles. |
607 | 00:41:12,861 | 00:41:16,212 | After joining forces with US Marines sent by Polk.. | After joining forces with US Marines sent by Polk.. |
608 | 00:41:18,127 | 00:41:20,521 | ...they seize the city | ...they seize the city |
609 | 00:41:20,565 | 00:41:24,569 | and with it, the final Mexican stronghold in California. | and with it, the final Mexican stronghold in California. |
610 | 00:41:26,571 | 00:41:28,094 | It's kind of incredible. | It's kind of incredible. |
611 | 00:41:28,137 | 00:41:30,096 | Fremont took California | Fremont took California |
612 | 00:41:30,139 | 00:41:33,752 | against relatively light resistance. | against relatively light resistance. |
613 | 00:41:33,795 | 00:41:35,754 | It fell into American hands | It fell into American hands |
614 | 00:41:35,797 | 00:41:37,756 | partly because of the skill and bravery | partly because of the skill and bravery |
615 | 00:41:37,799 | 00:41:39,801 | of someone like John C. Fremont | of someone like John C. Fremont |
616 | 00:41:39,845 | 00:41:41,977 | but partly because of pure good fortune | but partly because of pure good fortune |
617 | 00:41:42,021 | 00:41:43,544 | because it was there for the taking. | because it was there for the taking. |
618 | 00:41:48,767 | 00:41:52,553 | It was at that point, Fremont assumed that-that-that | It was at that point, Fremont assumed that-that-that |
619 | 00:41:52,597 | 00:41:55,730 | California was theirs, that they had taken it. | California was theirs, that they had taken it. |
620 | 00:41:55,774 | 00:41:58,472 | They believed that-that Mexicans weren't really good soldiers. | They believed that-that Mexicans weren't really good soldiers. |
621 | 00:41:58,516 | 00:42:01,606 | They believed that they were sort of indifferent politically | They believed that they were sort of indifferent politically |
622 | 00:42:01,649 | 00:42:03,825 | and they took this as a sign | and they took this as a sign |
623 | 00:42:03,869 | 00:42:06,611 | that-that, that California was theirs. | that-that, that California was theirs. |
624 | 00:42:08,874 | 00:42:11,137 | Fremont, always ambitious | Fremont, always ambitious |
625 | 00:42:11,180 | 00:42:14,096 | wants to share his good news with Polk quickly. | wants to share his good news with Polk quickly. |
626 | 00:42:19,885 | 00:42:23,366 | Fremont decides now is the time | Fremont decides now is the time |
627 | 00:42:23,410 | 00:42:25,717 | to-to let Washington know what has happened | to-to let Washington know what has happened |
628 | 00:42:25,760 | 00:42:27,545 | to let Polk know what has happened | to let Polk know what has happened |
629 | 00:42:27,588 | 00:42:30,025 | to sort of solidify the victory. | to sort of solidify the victory. |
630 | 00:42:30,069 | 00:42:33,246 | Fremont was interested in expanding his own celebrity | Fremont was interested in expanding his own celebrity |
631 | 00:42:33,289 | 00:42:36,815 | making this conquest part of his own personal story. | making this conquest part of his own personal story. |
632 | 00:42:36,858 | 00:42:40,688 | Fremont decides to send a courier east. | Fremont decides to send a courier east. |
633 | 00:42:40,732 | 00:42:42,777 | Who am I gonna hire to do this? | Who am I gonna hire to do this? |
634 | 00:42:42,821 | 00:42:45,780 | Well, why not the most competent and pragmatic | Well, why not the most competent and pragmatic |
635 | 00:42:45,824 | 00:42:49,958 | strongest member of my expedition, Kit Carson. | strongest member of my expedition, Kit Carson. |
636 | 00:42:52,395 | 00:42:54,833 | Adept at survival | Adept at survival |
637 | 00:42:54,876 | 00:42:58,532 | Carson picks the fastest route possible. | Carson picks the fastest route possible. |
638 | 00:42:58,576 | 00:43:01,056 | Even though it means crossing hundreds of miles | Even though it means crossing hundreds of miles |
639 | 00:43:01,100 | 00:43:02,754 | of inhospitable desert. | of inhospitable desert. |
640 | 00:43:04,320 | 00:43:06,671 | The famed frontiersman is unaware | The famed frontiersman is unaware |
641 | 00:43:06,714 | 00:43:10,065 | he's about to face his most grueling test yet. | he's about to face his most grueling test yet. |
642 | 00:43:22,730 | 00:43:24,340 | By 1846.. | By 1846.. |
643 | 00:43:26,125 | 00:43:28,344 | ...Kit Carson is one of the few Americans | ...Kit Carson is one of the few Americans |
644 | 00:43:28,388 | 00:43:31,609 | to ever reach California. | to ever reach California. |
645 | 00:43:31,652 | 00:43:35,351 | Now, he's undertaking a new epic quest | Now, he's undertaking a new epic quest |
646 | 00:43:35,395 | 00:43:38,224 | to cross the continent and hand-deliver | to cross the continent and hand-deliver |
647 | 00:43:38,267 | 00:43:42,010 | an urgent message to President James K. Polk | an urgent message to President James K. Polk |
648 | 00:43:42,054 | 00:43:45,666 | sharing that Fremont and his army have taken California. | sharing that Fremont and his army have taken California. |
649 | 00:43:47,059 | 00:43:49,496 | He sets out from Los Angeles | He sets out from Los Angeles |
650 | 00:43:49,539 | 00:43:53,674 | with orders to travel to Washington and back. | with orders to travel to Washington and back. |
651 | 00:43:53,718 | 00:43:59,985 | A distance of 6000 miles in 140 days. | A distance of 6000 miles in 140 days. |
652 | 00:44:00,028 | 00:44:01,508 | We have to remind ourselves that | We have to remind ourselves that |
653 | 00:44:01,551 | 00:44:04,337 | there was no transcontinental railroad | there was no transcontinental railroad |
654 | 00:44:04,380 | 00:44:06,731 | there was no telegraph, there was only one way | there was no telegraph, there was only one way |
655 | 00:44:06,774 | 00:44:08,602 | to get a message to Washington | to get a message to Washington |
656 | 00:44:08,646 | 00:44:10,560 | and that was to travel overland | and that was to travel overland |
657 | 00:44:10,604 | 00:44:13,738 | and this is exactly the kind of expedition | and this is exactly the kind of expedition |
658 | 00:44:13,781 | 00:44:16,218 | that Carson was perfect for. | that Carson was perfect for. |
659 | 00:44:16,262 | 00:44:19,439 | But the most direct route across the country | But the most direct route across the country |
660 | 00:44:19,482 | 00:44:22,877 | cuts through one of the most hostile places in America.. | cuts through one of the most hostile places in America.. |
661 | 00:44:25,575 | 00:44:27,229 | ...the Sonoran Desert. | ...the Sonoran Desert. |
662 | 00:44:49,599 | 00:44:51,601 | Well, for Kit Carson to cross the desert | Well, for Kit Carson to cross the desert |
663 | 00:44:51,645 | 00:44:53,691 | in what's now the Southwest | in what's now the Southwest |
664 | 00:44:53,734 | 00:44:57,956 | would be a very difficult situation. | would be a very difficult situation. |
665 | 00:44:57,999 | 00:45:02,438 | There's the danger of heat stroke, of getting lost | There's the danger of heat stroke, of getting lost |
666 | 00:45:02,482 | 00:45:04,527 | there are many dangers. | there are many dangers. |
667 | 00:45:04,571 | 00:45:06,704 | Dehydration would be a huge one. | Dehydration would be a huge one. |
668 | 00:45:20,848 | 00:45:23,372 | Carson's frontier skills make him uniquely suited | Carson's frontier skills make him uniquely suited |
669 | 00:45:23,416 | 00:45:24,852 | for this test. | for this test. |
670 | 00:45:31,206 | 00:45:34,166 | He survives for weeks | He survives for weeks |
671 | 00:45:34,209 | 00:45:36,777 | by harvesting water from creek beds | by harvesting water from creek beds |
672 | 00:45:36,821 | 00:45:40,825 | and cactus roots buried below the ground. | and cactus roots buried below the ground. |
673 | 00:45:40,868 | 00:45:44,524 | Carson knew, you know where to find water in a cactus. | Carson knew, you know where to find water in a cactus. |
674 | 00:45:44,567 | 00:45:46,265 | He had a little trick where he would nick the ear of a mule | He had a little trick where he would nick the ear of a mule |
675 | 00:45:46,308 | 00:45:47,832 | and drink its blood. | and drink its blood. |
676 | 00:45:47,875 | 00:45:49,877 | He had all these little tricks up his sleeve. | He had all these little tricks up his sleeve. |
677 | 00:45:56,579 | 00:45:58,103 | Aah! | Aah! |
678 | 00:46:07,590 | 00:46:09,288 | But it's not enough | But it's not enough |
679 | 00:46:09,331 | 00:46:13,031 | to overcome the relentless heat of the Sonoran summer. | to overcome the relentless heat of the Sonoran summer. |
680 | 00:46:19,907 | 00:46:24,303 | Typically, say a 155-pound male would need about | Typically, say a 155-pound male would need about |
681 | 00:46:24,346 | 00:46:27,828 | one and a half liters of water a day to stay alive. | one and a half liters of water a day to stay alive. |
682 | 00:46:29,874 | 00:46:33,486 | If you're crossing a desert in the heat | If you're crossing a desert in the heat |
683 | 00:46:33,529 | 00:46:38,143 | instead of 1.5 liters a day you need 1.5 liters an hour. | instead of 1.5 liters a day you need 1.5 liters an hour. |
684 | 00:46:54,812 | 00:46:57,510 | After traveling more than 1000 miles.. | After traveling more than 1000 miles.. |
685 | 00:47:00,165 | 00:47:02,428 | ...Carson's life is in danger. | ...Carson's life is in danger. |
686 | 00:47:08,042 | 00:47:12,133 | In the desert, as one's body becomes dehydrated.. | In the desert, as one's body becomes dehydrated.. |
687 | 00:47:17,182 | 00:47:21,751 | ...one's blood is actually thickening like oil. | ...one's blood is actually thickening like oil. |
688 | 00:47:21,795 | 00:47:25,625 | The water inside your cells is being drawn out | The water inside your cells is being drawn out |
689 | 00:47:25,668 | 00:47:27,932 | to thin your thickening blood. | to thin your thickening blood. |
690 | 00:47:27,975 | 00:47:31,457 | So, your body is sucking itself dry | So, your body is sucking itself dry |
691 | 00:47:31,500 | 00:47:34,852 | and these changes can occur in the brain as well. | and these changes can occur in the brain as well. |
692 | 00:47:39,465 | 00:47:43,121 | The hallucinations typically accompany severe dehydration. | The hallucinations typically accompany severe dehydration. |
693 | 00:47:45,427 | 00:47:49,040 | The victim can hallucinate pools of water. | The victim can hallucinate pools of water. |
694 | 00:47:51,390 | 00:47:54,088 | In the latter stages, they will try | In the latter stages, they will try |
695 | 00:47:54,132 | 00:47:57,831 | to bite their own arm and suck the liquid out. | to bite their own arm and suck the liquid out. |
696 | 00:48:16,719 | 00:48:17,938 | Then finally.. | Then finally.. |
697 | 00:48:20,245 | 00:48:22,290 | ...relief is on the horizon. | ...relief is on the horizon. |
698 | 00:48:28,644 | 00:48:31,125 | Kit Carson gets to a spot in New Mexico | Kit Carson gets to a spot in New Mexico |
699 | 00:48:31,169 | 00:48:34,520 | and sees this cloud of dust coming from the west. | and sees this cloud of dust coming from the west. |
700 | 00:48:34,563 | 00:48:37,871 | "Well, who is this? What's going on?" | "Well, who is this? What's going on?" |
701 | 00:48:37,915 | 00:48:40,308 | It turns out to be the army of the west. | It turns out to be the army of the west. |
702 | 00:48:43,790 | 00:48:46,271 | Under the orders of President Polk | Under the orders of President Polk |
703 | 00:48:46,314 | 00:48:49,317 | General Stephen Kearney has spent the last six months | General Stephen Kearney has spent the last six months |
704 | 00:48:49,361 | 00:48:51,232 | driving towards California. | driving towards California. |
705 | 00:49:00,938 | 00:49:02,678 | 'If you have any extra supplies you could share' | 'If you have any extra supplies you could share' |
706 | 00:49:02,722 | 00:49:04,202 | 'I'd appreciate it.' | 'I'd appreciate it.' |
707 | 00:49:04,245 | 00:49:07,205 | - Where is it you're headed? - Washington. | - Where is it you're headed? - Washington. |
708 | 00:49:07,248 | 00:49:08,728 | I have a message I need to relay. | I have a message I need to relay. |
709 | 00:49:08,771 | 00:49:10,991 | - Where from? - California. | - Where from? - California. |
710 | 00:49:11,035 | 00:49:13,341 | Well, that's where we're headed. We ride out in the morning. | Well, that's where we're headed. We ride out in the morning. |
711 | 00:49:14,952 | 00:49:17,432 | What did you say your name was? | What did you say your name was? |
712 | 00:49:17,476 | 00:49:20,696 | - Kit Carson. - You're Fremont's guide. | - Kit Carson. - You're Fremont's guide. |
713 | 00:49:23,351 | 00:49:25,136 | The meeting between Carson and Kearny | The meeting between Carson and Kearny |
714 | 00:49:25,179 | 00:49:28,661 | is one of the most serendipitous meetings in American history. | is one of the most serendipitous meetings in American history. |
715 | 00:49:30,445 | 00:49:32,708 | General Kearny had heard of Carson. | General Kearny had heard of Carson. |
716 | 00:49:32,752 | 00:49:35,363 | He knew about his exploits, he knew that Carson | He knew about his exploits, he knew that Carson |
717 | 00:49:35,407 | 00:49:38,453 | had just been over this very inhospitable terrain. | had just been over this very inhospitable terrain. |
718 | 00:49:38,497 | 00:49:40,107 | He needed a guide. | He needed a guide. |
719 | 00:49:40,151 | 00:49:42,370 | Just as Fremont earlier had needed a guide. | Just as Fremont earlier had needed a guide. |
720 | 00:49:42,414 | 00:49:46,200 | Now Kearny needed a guide to get him back to California. | Now Kearny needed a guide to get him back to California. |
721 | 00:49:48,594 | 00:49:51,205 | So Kearny has to pull rank basically. | So Kearny has to pull rank basically. |
722 | 00:49:51,249 | 00:49:55,514 | "Look, I'm a general, uh, you're gonna do what I tell you to do. | "Look, I'm a general, uh, you're gonna do what I tell you to do. |
723 | 00:49:55,557 | 00:49:57,124 | I need you." | I need you." |
724 | 00:49:57,168 | 00:49:59,648 | You get some rest. | You get some rest. |
725 | 00:49:59,692 | 00:50:01,302 | We move out first thing in the morning. | We move out first thing in the morning. |
726 | 00:50:12,879 | 00:50:16,622 | Kearny recognized that Carson was an experienced guide | Kearny recognized that Carson was an experienced guide |
727 | 00:50:16,665 | 00:50:19,364 | uh, had been on these expeditions with Fremont | uh, had been on these expeditions with Fremont |
728 | 00:50:19,407 | 00:50:21,409 | and I think Kearny just made a sound decision. | and I think Kearny just made a sound decision. |
729 | 00:50:21,453 | 00:50:24,978 | He said, "You know where you're going, take me into San Diego." | He said, "You know where you're going, take me into San Diego." |
730 | 00:50:32,420 | 00:50:34,988 | Carson, always the dutiful soldier | Carson, always the dutiful soldier |
731 | 00:50:35,032 | 00:50:38,252 | accepts the orders begrudgingly and returns with Kearny. | accepts the orders begrudgingly and returns with Kearny. |
732 | 00:50:42,343 | 00:50:46,782 | So, Carson is guiding Kearny west and he probably is fuming | So, Carson is guiding Kearny west and he probably is fuming |
733 | 00:50:46,826 | 00:50:50,090 | he's resentful, he probably hates this expedition | he's resentful, he probably hates this expedition |
734 | 00:50:50,134 | 00:50:52,440 | but there he is again moving back and forth | but there he is again moving back and forth |
735 | 00:50:52,484 | 00:50:54,703 | across this huge nation. | across this huge nation. |
736 | 00:50:54,747 | 00:50:57,097 | Carson heads back into the desert | Carson heads back into the desert |
737 | 00:50:57,141 | 00:51:00,666 | unaware that he's walking straight into a war. | unaware that he's walking straight into a war. |
738 | 00:51:09,892 | 00:51:12,112 | It's been two months since John Fremont | It's been two months since John Fremont |
739 | 00:51:12,156 | 00:51:15,768 | dispatched Kit Carson east to Washington | dispatched Kit Carson east to Washington |
740 | 00:51:15,811 | 00:51:19,119 | in a race to deliver the news that they've taken California. | in a race to deliver the news that they've taken California. |
741 | 00:51:20,816 | 00:51:22,688 | But Carson's mission has changed. | But Carson's mission has changed. |
742 | 00:51:24,429 | 00:51:27,475 | Now, he's heading back west | Now, he's heading back west |
743 | 00:51:27,519 | 00:51:31,871 | leading General Kearny's troops to San Diego. | leading General Kearny's troops to San Diego. |
744 | 00:51:31,914 | 00:51:34,003 | Stephen Kearny was the commander | Stephen Kearny was the commander |
745 | 00:51:34,047 | 00:51:36,093 | of the American Army of the west. | of the American Army of the west. |
746 | 00:51:36,136 | 00:51:37,964 | He was sent by Polk | He was sent by Polk |
747 | 00:51:38,007 | 00:51:40,923 | to advance into Mexican territory | to advance into Mexican territory |
748 | 00:51:40,967 | 00:51:43,056 | to secure California for the United States. | to secure California for the United States. |
749 | 00:51:45,624 | 00:51:48,670 | And Kit Carson is saying, "Don't worry about California. | And Kit Carson is saying, "Don't worry about California. |
750 | 00:51:48,714 | 00:51:50,890 | Fremont's already captured California." | Fremont's already captured California." |
751 | 00:51:52,674 | 00:51:54,676 | Well, Kearny's in a little bit of a quandary. | Well, Kearny's in a little bit of a quandary. |
752 | 00:51:54,720 | 00:51:57,114 | He's been told to do this, he's a good military officer | He's been told to do this, he's a good military officer |
753 | 00:51:57,157 | 00:51:59,377 | he's gonna follow orders. | he's gonna follow orders. |
754 | 00:51:59,420 | 00:52:01,857 | The slow-moving army takes eight weeks | The slow-moving army takes eight weeks |
755 | 00:52:01,901 | 00:52:05,209 | to retrace Carson's steps through the Sonoran Desert. | to retrace Carson's steps through the Sonoran Desert. |
756 | 00:52:07,298 | 00:52:11,084 | Kearny sends Carson ahead to scout the best route. | Kearny sends Carson ahead to scout the best route. |
757 | 00:52:18,178 | 00:52:20,354 | Fifty miles outside of San Diego.. | Fifty miles outside of San Diego.. |
758 | 00:52:24,576 | 00:52:26,230 | ...Carson discovers.. | ...Carson discovers.. |
759 | 00:52:28,971 | 00:52:31,104 | ...that Mexico is far from defeated. | ...that Mexico is far from defeated. |
760 | 00:52:35,543 | 00:52:36,936 | And its army.. | And its army.. |
761 | 00:52:38,155 | 00:52:39,286 | ...is on the move. | ...is on the move. |
762 | 00:52:41,201 | 00:52:43,421 | They get near San Diego. | They get near San Diego. |
763 | 00:52:43,464 | 00:52:46,467 | Carson rides ahead.. | Carson rides ahead.. |
764 | 00:52:46,511 | 00:52:49,644 | ...and, wait a minute, California is not conquered. | ...and, wait a minute, California is not conquered. |
765 | 00:52:49,688 | 00:52:52,256 | Everything is kind of turned around now. | Everything is kind of turned around now. |
766 | 00:52:54,214 | 00:52:55,737 | The Americans have lost ground. | The Americans have lost ground. |
767 | 00:52:58,305 | 00:53:00,394 | Initially, Fremont's troops encountered | Initially, Fremont's troops encountered |
768 | 00:53:00,438 | 00:53:02,309 | almost no resistance | almost no resistance |
769 | 00:53:02,353 | 00:53:06,095 | taking towns from Sausalito to Los Angeles. | taking towns from Sausalito to Los Angeles. |
770 | 00:53:06,139 | 00:53:09,229 | But now the Mexican Army has surged north | But now the Mexican Army has surged north |
771 | 00:53:09,273 | 00:53:11,100 | reclaiming the territory | reclaiming the territory |
772 | 00:53:11,144 | 00:53:14,234 | and Fremont is trying to regroup. | and Fremont is trying to regroup. |
773 | 00:53:14,278 | 00:53:17,455 | Fremont sends Carson back to basically say | Fremont sends Carson back to basically say |
774 | 00:53:17,498 | 00:53:20,893 | "We've won and, uh, everybody should celebrate." | "We've won and, uh, everybody should celebrate." |
775 | 00:53:20,936 | 00:53:23,591 | Well, those greetings were a little bit premature. | Well, those greetings were a little bit premature. |
776 | 00:53:27,116 | 00:53:29,989 | Essentially, the Mexican Army had, had regrouped | Essentially, the Mexican Army had, had regrouped |
777 | 00:53:30,032 | 00:53:33,949 | and reorganized, ready to defend their land. | and reorganized, ready to defend their land. |
778 | 00:53:39,781 | 00:53:41,479 | 'How many of them over there?' | 'How many of them over there?' |
779 | 00:53:43,568 | 00:53:45,874 | A hundred, maybe more. | A hundred, maybe more. |
780 | 00:53:47,485 | 00:53:49,008 | Well-mounted too. | Well-mounted too. |
781 | 00:53:52,620 | 00:53:56,189 | Kearny's men have, have marched from Santa Fe, New Mexico. | Kearny's men have, have marched from Santa Fe, New Mexico. |
782 | 00:53:56,233 | 00:53:58,670 | His men are cold and tired. | His men are cold and tired. |
783 | 00:53:58,713 | 00:54:01,368 | It's raining. His powder is wet. | It's raining. His powder is wet. |
784 | 00:54:01,412 | 00:54:04,458 | Despite all of this, Kearny thinks | Despite all of this, Kearny thinks |
785 | 00:54:04,502 | 00:54:07,592 | he can engage with the Mexican Army. | he can engage with the Mexican Army. |
786 | 00:54:09,594 | 00:54:10,856 | We have to attack. | We have to attack. |
787 | 00:54:14,642 | 00:54:17,950 | - Are you with me? - Yes, sir. | - Are you with me? - Yes, sir. |
788 | 00:54:26,611 | 00:54:30,310 | Carson was the sort of guy you would want to have on your side | Carson was the sort of guy you would want to have on your side |
789 | 00:54:30,354 | 00:54:32,660 | if you were in a firefight. | if you were in a firefight. |
790 | 00:54:32,704 | 00:54:35,794 | He has an incredible violent streak. | He has an incredible violent streak. |
791 | 00:54:35,837 | 00:54:39,101 | He was a violent man even for his times. | He was a violent man even for his times. |
792 | 00:54:39,145 | 00:54:41,495 | Once he's perceived that this was a violent situation | Once he's perceived that this was a violent situation |
793 | 00:54:41,539 | 00:54:44,106 | he was about to enter into, he went for the jugular. | he was about to enter into, he went for the jugular. |
794 | 00:55:10,045 | 00:55:12,700 | Charge! | Charge! |
795 | 00:55:18,880 | 00:55:21,579 | Keep moving forward! Keep the pressure up! | Keep moving forward! Keep the pressure up! |
796 | 00:55:28,107 | 00:55:30,196 | Kearny completely underestimates | Kearny completely underestimates |
797 | 00:55:30,239 | 00:55:31,893 | the Mexican presence. | the Mexican presence. |
798 | 00:55:35,201 | 00:55:37,508 | And there's disorganization amongst the Americans | And there's disorganization amongst the Americans |
799 | 00:55:37,551 | 00:55:39,074 | a bit of overzealousness.. | a bit of overzealousness.. |
800 | 00:55:39,118 | 00:55:40,685 | And the result is.. | And the result is.. |
801 | 00:55:43,514 | 00:55:45,472 | ...Kearny's men get stretched out | ...Kearny's men get stretched out |
802 | 00:55:45,516 | 00:55:47,953 | and the Mexicans are able to take advantage of this. | and the Mexicans are able to take advantage of this. |
803 | 00:56:07,886 | 00:56:09,801 | Carson is momentarily unconscious. | Carson is momentarily unconscious. |
804 | 00:56:16,634 | 00:56:18,940 | Then he stands up and he finds his rifle. | Then he stands up and he finds his rifle. |
805 | 00:56:25,991 | 00:56:28,646 | And he begins to pick off the enemy, one by one. | And he begins to pick off the enemy, one by one. |
806 | 00:56:30,212 | 00:56:32,214 | It's classic Carson. | It's classic Carson. |
807 | 00:56:35,304 | 00:56:38,264 | Carson grew up with a gun in his hand. | Carson grew up with a gun in his hand. |
808 | 00:56:38,307 | 00:56:39,483 | He could shoot straight. | He could shoot straight. |
809 | 00:56:39,526 | 00:56:42,050 | He was calm, he was composed | He was calm, he was composed |
810 | 00:56:42,094 | 00:56:44,705 | he would dispatch you as quickly as possible. | he would dispatch you as quickly as possible. |
811 | 00:56:47,142 | 00:56:48,709 | He would talk about a firefight, and he would say | He would talk about a firefight, and he would say |
812 | 00:56:48,753 | 00:56:51,495 | "That was the, the prettiest fight I ever saw." | "That was the, the prettiest fight I ever saw." |
813 | 00:56:53,497 | 00:56:57,109 | Almost like a mafia killer. | Almost like a mafia killer. |
814 | 00:56:57,152 | 00:57:01,287 | The Mexicans suffered some wounded, but it's this point | The Mexicans suffered some wounded, but it's this point |
815 | 00:57:01,330 | 00:57:03,768 | that Kearny realizes he's in trouble. | that Kearny realizes he's in trouble. |
816 | 00:57:06,945 | 00:57:09,338 | Kearny himself was nearly killed in this conflict. | Kearny himself was nearly killed in this conflict. |
817 | 00:57:10,470 | 00:57:12,385 | It's, uh, nip and tuck | It's, uh, nip and tuck |
818 | 00:57:12,429 | 00:57:13,952 | whether they're gonna survive this thing. | whether they're gonna survive this thing. |
819 | 00:57:13,995 | 00:57:16,868 | Retreat! Retreat! | Retreat! Retreat! |
820 | 00:57:19,131 | 00:57:21,960 | Retreat! | Retreat! |
821 | 00:57:35,364 | 00:57:38,542 | They have to regroup and create a perimeter | They have to regroup and create a perimeter |
822 | 00:57:38,585 | 00:57:41,675 | and it's the beginning of a siege, basically. | and it's the beginning of a siege, basically. |
823 | 00:57:48,203 | 00:57:51,511 | The siege at San Pasqual goes on for several days | The siege at San Pasqual goes on for several days |
824 | 00:57:51,555 | 00:57:55,341 | and Kearny realizes that they're not going to survive this. | and Kearny realizes that they're not going to survive this. |
825 | 00:57:55,384 | 00:57:57,299 | They don't have enough food and water | They don't have enough food and water |
826 | 00:57:57,343 | 00:57:59,693 | and ammunition to hold out much longer. | and ammunition to hold out much longer. |
827 | 00:57:59,737 | 00:58:01,739 | What he needs to do is find out | What he needs to do is find out |
828 | 00:58:01,782 | 00:58:04,872 | whether there are any other American forces in the area. | whether there are any other American forces in the area. |
829 | 00:58:07,222 | 00:58:09,573 | How many troops you think are still out there? | How many troops you think are still out there? |
830 | 00:58:09,616 | 00:58:11,139 | More than we've got. | More than we've got. |
831 | 00:58:14,229 | 00:58:16,928 | We need to sneak someone through enemy lines. | We need to sneak someone through enemy lines. |
832 | 00:58:16,971 | 00:58:18,495 | Get word to San Diego. | Get word to San Diego. |
833 | 00:58:20,061 | 00:58:21,410 | I'll do it. | I'll do it. |
834 | 00:58:23,456 | 00:58:27,112 | There's a belief that somewhere in, near San Diego | There's a belief that somewhere in, near San Diego |
835 | 00:58:27,155 | 00:58:29,418 | is the US Navy and the Marines. | is the US Navy and the Marines. |
836 | 00:58:29,462 | 00:58:32,552 | And if he could get reinforcements, and get help | And if he could get reinforcements, and get help |
837 | 00:58:32,596 | 00:58:34,685 | that they might be able to break this siege. | that they might be able to break this siege. |
838 | 00:58:38,471 | 00:58:42,431 | So, again, who raises his hand? It's Carson. "I'll do it." | So, again, who raises his hand? It's Carson. "I'll do it." |
839 | 00:58:42,475 | 00:58:45,652 | Whenever there's a risky mission into enemy territory | Whenever there's a risky mission into enemy territory |
840 | 00:58:45,696 | 00:58:47,480 | he's the guy that raises his hand. | he's the guy that raises his hand. |
841 | 00:58:59,971 | 00:59:02,539 | But San Diego is 40 miles away. | But San Diego is 40 miles away. |
842 | 00:59:06,630 | 00:59:09,328 | And no one knows if help is there.. | And no one knows if help is there.. |
843 | 00:59:13,724 | 00:59:16,640 | ...or if Carson will survive the journey. | ...or if Carson will survive the journey. |
844 | 00:59:39,532 | 00:59:41,839 | Kit Carson has just volunteered | Kit Carson has just volunteered |
845 | 00:59:41,882 | 00:59:44,668 | for a mission that could cost his life. | for a mission that could cost his life. |
846 | 00:59:49,237 | 00:59:52,414 | To save General Kearney's trapped army | To save General Kearney's trapped army |
847 | 00:59:52,458 | 00:59:57,115 | he'll try to reach US Marines he hopes are in San Diego. | he'll try to reach US Marines he hopes are in San Diego. |
848 | 01:00:15,829 | 01:00:19,354 | You have to imagine the danger inherent in this mission. | You have to imagine the danger inherent in this mission. |
849 | 01:00:26,100 | 01:00:29,060 | Carson has to sneak through Mexican lines | Carson has to sneak through Mexican lines |
850 | 01:00:29,103 | 01:00:32,585 | through enemy territory, through hills | through enemy territory, through hills |
851 | 01:00:32,629 | 01:00:34,674 | rock and cactus, and thorns. | rock and cactus, and thorns. |
852 | 01:00:34,718 | 01:00:37,590 | It is an unforgiving environment. | It is an unforgiving environment. |
853 | 01:00:37,634 | 01:00:40,419 | And he's not on a horse, he's on hands and knees. | And he's not on a horse, he's on hands and knees. |
854 | 01:01:00,744 | 01:01:03,355 | He's got to now make his way across this | He's got to now make his way across this |
855 | 01:01:03,398 | 01:01:05,487 | uh, expansive desert | uh, expansive desert |
856 | 01:01:05,531 | 01:01:07,925 | with prickly pear and all kinds of cactus | with prickly pear and all kinds of cactus |
857 | 01:01:07,968 | 01:01:10,710 | he is traveling in enemy territory. | he is traveling in enemy territory. |
858 | 01:01:13,147 | 01:01:15,410 | It's just another one of the exploits that | It's just another one of the exploits that |
859 | 01:01:15,454 | 01:01:18,065 | contributes to the mythology of Kit Carson | contributes to the mythology of Kit Carson |
860 | 01:01:18,109 | 01:01:22,156 | as this kind of incredibly plucky, self-reliant guy. | as this kind of incredibly plucky, self-reliant guy. |
861 | 01:01:54,493 | 01:01:56,147 | Against all odds | Against all odds |
862 | 01:01:56,190 | 01:01:59,846 | Kit Carson reaches San Diego in one day. | Kit Carson reaches San Diego in one day. |
863 | 01:01:59,890 | 01:02:02,719 | Halt! Who goes there? | Halt! Who goes there? |
864 | 01:02:06,766 | 01:02:08,246 | Hold your fire! | Hold your fire! |
865 | 01:02:10,030 | 01:02:11,728 | Wait, I'm an American. | Wait, I'm an American. |
866 | 01:02:15,122 | 01:02:16,863 | General Kearny sent me. | General Kearny sent me. |
867 | 01:02:36,578 | 01:02:39,407 | The Mexican Army has his entire battalion surrounded. | The Mexican Army has his entire battalion surrounded. |
868 | 01:02:39,451 | 01:02:40,408 | What? | What? |
869 | 01:02:40,452 | 01:02:41,670 | About 35 miles back | About 35 miles back |
870 | 01:02:41,714 | 01:02:44,325 | across the desert. | across the desert. |
871 | 01:02:44,369 | 01:02:47,111 | By the time he makes it to American lines | By the time he makes it to American lines |
872 | 01:02:47,154 | 01:02:48,852 | his feet are all torn up | his feet are all torn up |
873 | 01:02:48,895 | 01:02:50,767 | and he's lacerated, he can't walk. | and he's lacerated, he can't walk. |
874 | 01:02:52,681 | 01:02:55,075 | This is one of the great feats in American history. | This is one of the great feats in American history. |
875 | 01:03:10,308 | 01:03:14,660 | After a brief reprieve, Carson returns to San Pasqual | After a brief reprieve, Carson returns to San Pasqual |
876 | 01:03:14,703 | 01:03:16,575 | with 200 reinforcements. | with 200 reinforcements. |
877 | 01:03:18,446 | 01:03:21,493 | As they approach General Kearney's position | As they approach General Kearney's position |
878 | 01:03:21,536 | 01:03:24,626 | their opposition scatters. | their opposition scatters. |
879 | 01:03:24,670 | 01:03:28,500 | The sight of these approaching marines, very well-armed | The sight of these approaching marines, very well-armed |
880 | 01:03:28,543 | 01:03:31,895 | was enough to scatter the Mexican soldiers. | was enough to scatter the Mexican soldiers. |
881 | 01:03:31,938 | 01:03:33,331 | They didn't want any part of this. | They didn't want any part of this. |
882 | 01:03:47,911 | 01:03:51,088 | Carson learns Kearney has survived | Carson learns Kearney has survived |
883 | 01:03:51,131 | 01:03:54,613 | and now intends to continue his mission. | and now intends to continue his mission. |
884 | 01:03:54,656 | 01:03:57,529 | We'll make straight for San Diego, resupply | We'll make straight for San Diego, resupply |
885 | 01:03:57,572 | 01:04:00,271 | then on, to Los Angeles. | then on, to Los Angeles. |
886 | 01:04:00,314 | 01:04:02,316 | You think we can take it? | You think we can take it? |
887 | 01:04:02,360 | 01:04:04,362 | We'll see. | We'll see. |
888 | 01:04:10,629 | 01:04:13,414 | As he prepares to leave, Carson is unaware | As he prepares to leave, Carson is unaware |
889 | 01:04:13,458 | 01:04:16,635 | his friend, John C. Fremont, is alive | his friend, John C. Fremont, is alive |
890 | 01:04:16,678 | 01:04:19,377 | and planning his own mission. | and planning his own mission. |
891 | 01:04:19,420 | 01:04:21,858 | Carson hadn't seen Fremont in a long time now. | Carson hadn't seen Fremont in a long time now. |
892 | 01:04:21,901 | 01:04:25,252 | He didn't know if Fremont was alive or dead. | He didn't know if Fremont was alive or dead. |
893 | 01:04:25,296 | 01:04:28,342 | He's near Monterey, trying to gather an army | He's near Monterey, trying to gather an army |
894 | 01:04:28,386 | 01:04:30,518 | to retake Southern California. | to retake Southern California. |
895 | 01:04:32,042 | 01:04:33,826 | By late November | By late November |
896 | 01:04:33,870 | 01:04:37,090 | he's amassed a force of more than 400 men. | he's amassed a force of more than 400 men. |
897 | 01:04:40,485 | 01:04:43,053 | Determined to reconquer Los Angeles | Determined to reconquer Los Angeles |
898 | 01:04:43,096 | 01:04:47,013 | and burnish his reputation, Fremont heads south. | and burnish his reputation, Fremont heads south. |
899 | 01:04:49,189 | 01:04:52,105 | At the same time, Kearney and Carson | At the same time, Kearney and Carson |
900 | 01:04:52,149 | 01:04:54,238 | plan their own route north. | plan their own route north. |
901 | 01:04:56,327 | 01:04:58,807 | Between them, the Mexican Army. | Between them, the Mexican Army. |
902 | 01:05:01,245 | 01:05:05,553 | At stake, control of California | At stake, control of California |
903 | 01:05:05,597 | 01:05:09,731 | and the final piece of American western expansion. | and the final piece of American western expansion. |
904 | 01:05:21,874 | 01:05:25,922 | President James K. Polk is determined to seize California. | President James K. Polk is determined to seize California. |
905 | 01:05:27,924 | 01:05:30,665 | But his plan depends on the outcome of a battle | But his plan depends on the outcome of a battle |
906 | 01:05:30,709 | 01:05:33,407 | erupting 3000 miles away. | erupting 3000 miles away. |
907 | 01:05:41,546 | 01:05:45,419 | Los Angeles is Mexico's final stronghold in the territory. | Los Angeles is Mexico's final stronghold in the territory. |
908 | 01:05:49,771 | 01:05:52,687 | A prize the Americans want to reclaim. | A prize the Americans want to reclaim. |
909 | 01:05:56,213 | 01:05:58,693 | John Fremont closes in from the north.. | John Fremont closes in from the north.. |
910 | 01:06:02,654 | 01:06:05,526 | ...as Kit Carson and General Kearney | ...as Kit Carson and General Kearney |
911 | 01:06:05,570 | 01:06:06,963 | move to attack. | move to attack. |
912 | 01:06:09,617 | 01:06:11,228 | If you think about Los Angeles | If you think about Los Angeles |
913 | 01:06:11,271 | 01:06:14,057 | you have Kearny approaching from the south.. | you have Kearny approaching from the south.. |
914 | 01:06:16,537 | 01:06:19,584 | ...and Fremont was advancing along the coastal range | ...and Fremont was advancing along the coastal range |
915 | 01:06:19,627 | 01:06:22,021 | and controlled the Cahuenga Pass. | and controlled the Cahuenga Pass. |
916 | 01:06:22,065 | 01:06:24,719 | There wasn't really anywhere for the Mexican Army to go. | There wasn't really anywhere for the Mexican Army to go. |
917 | 01:06:31,422 | 01:06:34,120 | Kearny's army arrives first.. | Kearny's army arrives first.. |
918 | 01:06:50,397 | 01:06:52,486 | Charge! | Charge! |
919 | 01:06:55,272 | 01:06:58,536 | ...and overwhelms the enemy | ...and overwhelms the enemy |
920 | 01:06:58,579 | 01:07:02,105 | defeating them in a matter of hours. | defeating them in a matter of hours. |
921 | 01:07:02,148 | 01:07:06,196 | A combined force of Kearny's soldiers | A combined force of Kearny's soldiers |
922 | 01:07:06,239 | 01:07:10,417 | and some American volunteers pin the Mexican Army down. | and some American volunteers pin the Mexican Army down. |
923 | 01:07:13,725 | 01:07:17,337 | Between Fremont's advancing army from the north | Between Fremont's advancing army from the north |
924 | 01:07:17,381 | 01:07:19,122 | and their combined force in the south.. | and their combined force in the south.. |
925 | 01:07:24,388 | 01:07:25,824 | ...the Mexican Army realizes, "Look, we're, you know, | ...the Mexican Army realizes, "Look, we're, you know, |
926 | 01:07:25,867 | 01:07:29,088 | we're surrounded," and decided that it was | we're surrounded," and decided that it was |
927 | 01:07:29,132 | 01:07:32,744 | it was time to, to capitulate. | it was time to, to capitulate. |
928 | 01:07:32,787 | 01:07:36,269 | The US flag is raised over Los Angeles.. | The US flag is raised over Los Angeles.. |
929 | 01:07:40,839 | 01:07:42,928 | ...but the war isn't over. | ...but the war isn't over. |
930 | 01:07:47,498 | 01:07:49,630 | Polk had basically gotten what he wanted. | Polk had basically gotten what he wanted. |
931 | 01:07:52,546 | 01:07:54,766 | California was in American hands | California was in American hands |
932 | 01:07:54,809 | 01:07:56,463 | New Mexico was in American hands.. | New Mexico was in American hands.. |
933 | 01:07:58,291 | 01:08:00,946 | ...Texas was secured, and Polk decided | ...Texas was secured, and Polk decided |
934 | 01:08:00,989 | 01:08:03,557 | it was time for the war to end. | it was time for the war to end. |
935 | 01:08:03,601 | 01:08:07,083 | Unfortunately, Mexicans had no interest in ending the war. | Unfortunately, Mexicans had no interest in ending the war. |
936 | 01:08:07,126 | 01:08:11,391 | They were angry, and they refused to come to terms. | They were angry, and they refused to come to terms. |
937 | 01:08:11,435 | 01:08:14,438 | To force Mexico's hand | To force Mexico's hand |
938 | 01:08:14,481 | 01:08:17,702 | Polk launches an invasion. | Polk launches an invasion. |
939 | 01:08:17,745 | 01:08:19,007 | Grabbing California, the United States | Grabbing California, the United States |
940 | 01:08:19,051 | 01:08:22,881 | actually had to land an army.. | actually had to land an army.. |
941 | 01:08:22,924 | 01:08:25,101 | ...on the coast of Mexico, at Veracruz | ...on the coast of Mexico, at Veracruz |
942 | 01:08:25,144 | 01:08:27,929 | and then march up and take Mexico City. | and then march up and take Mexico City. |
943 | 01:08:35,502 | 01:08:37,069 | The resulting treaty.. | The resulting treaty.. |
944 | 01:08:38,592 | 01:08:40,594 | ...finally pushes the frontier | ...finally pushes the frontier |
945 | 01:08:40,638 | 01:08:42,118 | to the western coast. | to the western coast. |
946 | 01:08:47,427 | 01:08:49,821 | Fulfilling the dream of building a nation.. | Fulfilling the dream of building a nation.. |
947 | 01:08:51,562 | 01:08:54,347 | ...that spans from the Atlantic | ...that spans from the Atlantic |
948 | 01:08:54,391 | 01:08:56,567 | to the Pacific. | to the Pacific. |
949 | 01:08:56,610 | 01:08:58,395 | American expansionism, that's something | American expansionism, that's something |
950 | 01:08:58,438 | 01:09:01,311 | that has been on, uh, the agenda, uh | that has been on, uh, the agenda, uh |
951 | 01:09:01,354 | 01:09:03,835 | right from the American Revolution with Daniel Boone. | right from the American Revolution with Daniel Boone. |
952 | 01:09:03,878 | 01:09:08,318 | So, wh-what we see in 1840s is a fulfillment of the promise | So, wh-what we see in 1840s is a fulfillment of the promise |
953 | 01:09:08,361 | 01:09:11,886 | uh, of the founding fathers, and even the col-colonists | uh, of the founding fathers, and even the col-colonists |
954 | 01:09:11,930 | 01:09:14,019 | who arrive and go out there | who arrive and go out there |
955 | 01:09:14,062 | 01:09:18,197 | to, uh, get their piece of the American landmass. | to, uh, get their piece of the American landmass. |
956 | 01:09:18,241 | 01:09:20,504 | The empire of liberty first imagined | The empire of liberty first imagined |
957 | 01:09:20,547 | 01:09:23,463 | by Thomas Jefferson.. | by Thomas Jefferson.. |
958 | 01:09:23,507 | 01:09:25,465 | ...and championed by Andrew Jackson.. | ...and championed by Andrew Jackson.. |
959 | 01:09:31,210 | 01:09:33,734 | ...is achieved by the unlikeliest of leaders.. | ...is achieved by the unlikeliest of leaders.. |
960 | 01:09:35,693 | 01:09:37,173 | ...James Polk. | ...James Polk. |
961 | 01:09:40,959 | 01:09:44,005 | President Polk is one of our most underrated presidents. | President Polk is one of our most underrated presidents. |
962 | 01:09:44,049 | 01:09:46,573 | I mean, this was a very powerful man. | I mean, this was a very powerful man. |
963 | 01:09:46,617 | 01:09:50,229 | Uh, um, a guy with very clear intentions. | Uh, um, a guy with very clear intentions. |
964 | 01:09:50,273 | 01:09:52,492 | When Polk assumed office | When Polk assumed office |
965 | 01:09:52,536 | 01:09:56,061 | he looked west and he saw all that land, and he said | he looked west and he saw all that land, and he said |
966 | 01:09:56,104 | 01:09:57,541 | "You know what, I want it all." | "You know what, I want it all." |
967 | 01:09:57,584 | 01:09:59,064 | It was really one of the greatest | It was really one of the greatest |
968 | 01:09:59,107 | 01:10:01,284 | land grabs in the history of the world | land grabs in the history of the world |
969 | 01:10:01,327 | 01:10:03,590 | to take that whole western third of the continent | to take that whole western third of the continent |
970 | 01:10:03,634 | 01:10:06,071 | and to get it all in one generation. | and to get it all in one generation. |
971 | 01:10:08,856 | 01:10:10,641 | If you wanna understand how important | If you wanna understand how important |
972 | 01:10:10,684 | 01:10:14,166 | Polk's presidency was, just consider this. | Polk's presidency was, just consider this. |
973 | 01:10:14,210 | 01:10:16,299 | California, if it were an independent country | California, if it were an independent country |
974 | 01:10:16,342 | 01:10:18,823 | would be the fifth largest economy on Earth. | would be the fifth largest economy on Earth. |
975 | 01:10:20,694 | 01:10:24,045 | Imagine American history without California | Imagine American history without California |
976 | 01:10:24,089 | 01:10:27,832 | and then imagine Mexican history with California. | and then imagine Mexican history with California. |
977 | 01:10:29,921 | 01:10:32,271 | The history of the entire world would be different. | The history of the entire world would be different. |
978 | 01:10:38,016 | 01:10:39,626 | In California.. | In California.. |
979 | 01:10:43,978 | 01:10:45,850 | ...John Fremont is appointed | ...John Fremont is appointed |
980 | 01:10:45,893 | 01:10:48,940 | temporary governor of the territory. | temporary governor of the territory. |
981 | 01:10:48,983 | 01:10:52,291 | He and his trusted partner, Kit Carson | He and his trusted partner, Kit Carson |
982 | 01:10:52,335 | 01:10:54,511 | parted ways six months before. | parted ways six months before. |
983 | 01:10:56,252 | 01:10:57,601 | But now.. | But now.. |
984 | 01:10:57,644 | 01:10:59,951 | - Sir. - Hello, Carson. | - Sir. - Hello, Carson. |
985 | 01:10:59,994 | 01:11:01,518 | It's good to see you again, sir. | It's good to see you again, sir. |
986 | 01:11:01,561 | 01:11:02,954 | ...with the war over | ...with the war over |
987 | 01:11:02,997 | 01:11:05,739 | they finally reunite. | they finally reunite. |
988 | 01:11:05,783 | 01:11:08,176 | Carson hadn't seen Fremont in a long time now. | Carson hadn't seen Fremont in a long time now. |
989 | 01:11:08,220 | 01:11:09,874 | He didn't know if Fremont was alive or dead.. | He didn't know if Fremont was alive or dead.. |
990 | 01:11:11,832 | 01:11:16,446 | ...and theirs was a deep and lasting friendship. | ...and theirs was a deep and lasting friendship. |
991 | 01:11:16,489 | 01:11:19,753 | So Carson was probably very, very glad to see him. | So Carson was probably very, very glad to see him. |
992 | 01:11:21,407 | 01:11:24,628 | Well, there's plenty of work to be done. | Well, there's plenty of work to be done. |
993 | 01:11:24,671 | 01:11:26,499 | 'If you'd like to stay on, I could certainly use you.' | 'If you'd like to stay on, I could certainly use you.' |
994 | 01:11:27,587 | 01:11:28,936 | Yes, sir. | Yes, sir. |
995 | 01:11:32,331 | 01:11:35,943 | Fremont goes on to become California's first senator.. | Fremont goes on to become California's first senator.. |
996 | 01:11:39,338 | 01:11:42,689 | ...while Carson fights for the Union in the Civil War. | ...while Carson fights for the Union in the Civil War. |
997 | 01:11:46,345 | 01:11:48,913 | But it's their adventures on the frontier | But it's their adventures on the frontier |
998 | 01:11:48,956 | 01:11:51,568 | that make them legends. | that make them legends. |
999 | 01:11:56,921 | 01:11:58,575 | Fremont's explorations changed the way | Fremont's explorations changed the way |
1000 | 01:11:58,618 | 01:12:00,490 | Americans thought about the west. | Americans thought about the west. |
1001 | 01:12:02,927 | 01:12:04,929 | Prior to his explorations | Prior to his explorations |
1002 | 01:12:04,972 | 01:12:06,757 | Americans tended to think of the west | Americans tended to think of the west |
1003 | 01:12:06,800 | 01:12:08,324 | as-as merely a direction. | as-as merely a direction. |
1004 | 01:12:10,151 | 01:12:12,806 | After Fremont, the west becomes a place | After Fremont, the west becomes a place |
1005 | 01:12:12,850 | 01:12:16,941 | with known features, it forces Americans to see | with known features, it forces Americans to see |
1006 | 01:12:16,984 | 01:12:20,423 | America not as an Atlantic-bound seaboard nation | America not as an Atlantic-bound seaboard nation |
1007 | 01:12:20,466 | 01:12:23,339 | more as a continental nation state. | more as a continental nation state. |
1008 | 01:12:26,907 | 01:12:30,911 | The newspapers back east called Fremont "The Pathfinder" | The newspapers back east called Fremont "The Pathfinder" |
1009 | 01:12:30,955 | 01:12:32,783 | but really, that title | but really, that title |
1010 | 01:12:32,826 | 01:12:35,481 | would more appropriately go to Carson. | would more appropriately go to Carson. |
1011 | 01:12:40,617 | 01:12:42,532 | Carson was the real pathfinder. | Carson was the real pathfinder. |
1012 | 01:12:44,447 | 01:12:46,492 | He's the one that kept the expeditions on track | He's the one that kept the expeditions on track |
1013 | 01:12:46,536 | 01:12:49,147 | and out of harm's way. | and out of harm's way. |
1014 | 01:12:49,190 | 01:12:51,802 | These two men, uh, just sort of desperately | These two men, uh, just sort of desperately |
1015 | 01:12:51,845 | 01:12:54,805 | and-and rather profoundly, needed each other | and-and rather profoundly, needed each other |
1016 | 01:12:54,848 | 01:12:57,198 | in order to accomplish everything that, that they | in order to accomplish everything that, that they |
1017 | 01:12:57,242 | 01:12:58,461 | that they accomplished. | that they accomplished. |
1018 | 01:13:02,073 | 01:13:03,944 | By the end of 1847 | By the end of 1847 |
1019 | 01:13:03,988 | 01:13:06,904 | California is officially a US territory. | California is officially a US territory. |
1020 | 01:13:09,646 | 01:13:13,650 | But only 7000 Americans are living here. | But only 7000 Americans are living here. |
1021 | 01:13:13,693 | 01:13:16,087 | If America wants to hold this ground | If America wants to hold this ground |
1022 | 01:13:16,130 | 01:13:18,916 | it has to settle it. | it has to settle it. |
1023 | 01:13:18,959 | 01:13:22,702 | Polk wanted to get as many warm bodies on the ground | Polk wanted to get as many warm bodies on the ground |
1024 | 01:13:22,746 | 01:13:26,053 | living there, to start this process of California | living there, to start this process of California |
1025 | 01:13:26,097 | 01:13:29,056 | to kind of assert their own interest in, uh | to kind of assert their own interest in, uh |
1026 | 01:13:29,100 | 01:13:33,060 | refashioning California as American terrain. | refashioning California as American terrain. |
1027 | 01:13:33,104 | 01:13:35,454 | There was a policy on the, on the part of US Government | There was a policy on the, on the part of US Government |
1028 | 01:13:35,498 | 01:13:38,109 | to get as many people out there. | to get as many people out there. |
1029 | 01:13:38,152 | 01:13:39,763 | Uh, because if you had boots on the ground | Uh, because if you had boots on the ground |
1030 | 01:13:39,806 | 01:13:41,765 | populating these territories | populating these territories |
1031 | 01:13:41,808 | 01:13:44,376 | well, uh, that makes it a fact | well, uh, that makes it a fact |
1032 | 01:13:44,420 | 01:13:47,466 | uh, that this is the future of America. | uh, that this is the future of America. |
1033 | 01:13:47,510 | 01:13:50,730 | And nothing motivates settlers more | And nothing motivates settlers more |
1034 | 01:13:50,774 | 01:13:53,472 | than the chance to make a fortune. | than the chance to make a fortune. |
1035 | 01:13:53,516 | 01:13:56,214 | In January of 1848 | In January of 1848 |
1036 | 01:13:56,257 | 01:13:59,826 | the promise of California pays off.. | the promise of California pays off.. |
1037 | 01:14:05,049 | 01:14:09,009 | ...when gold is discovered. | ...when gold is discovered. |
1038 | 01:14:09,053 | 01:14:13,971 | This gold rush, now makes this, this amazing kind of land grab | This gold rush, now makes this, this amazing kind of land grab |
1039 | 01:14:14,014 | 01:14:15,929 | really, really worth it. | really, really worth it. |
1040 | 01:14:15,973 | 01:14:17,931 | I mean, this is like America winning the lottery | I mean, this is like America winning the lottery |
1041 | 01:14:17,975 | 01:14:19,759 | all of a sudden. | all of a sudden. |
1042 | 01:14:19,803 | 01:14:21,935 | A gold rush will soon compel | A gold rush will soon compel |
1043 | 01:14:21,979 | 01:14:24,938 | thousands to move west. | thousands to move west. |
1044 | 01:14:24,982 | 01:14:29,247 | The man who crosses the country to deliver the message.. | The man who crosses the country to deliver the message.. |
1045 | 01:14:29,290 | 01:14:32,337 | ...is none other than Kit Carson. | ...is none other than Kit Carson. |
1046 | 01:14:32,380 | 01:14:37,298 | The amazing postscript to this is that Kit Carson | The amazing postscript to this is that Kit Carson |
1047 | 01:14:37,342 | 01:14:41,694 | meets with President Polk, in December of 1848 | meets with President Polk, in December of 1848 |
1048 | 01:14:41,738 | 01:14:43,696 | and what news is he bringing? | and what news is he bringing? |
1049 | 01:14:43,740 | 01:14:46,569 | He's bringing news that gold | He's bringing news that gold |
1050 | 01:14:46,612 | 01:14:50,181 | gold has been discovered in California. | gold has been discovered in California. |
1051 | 01:14:50,224 | 01:14:54,011 | Gold fever is about to transform the frontier. | Gold fever is about to transform the frontier. |
1052 | 01:15:01,409 | 01:15:04,238 | With the addition of California | With the addition of California |
1053 | 01:15:04,282 | 01:15:08,547 | the United States, at last, stretches from sea to sea. | the United States, at last, stretches from sea to sea. |
1054 | 01:15:13,726 | 01:15:17,425 | The land itself is sparsely settled by Americans. | The land itself is sparsely settled by Americans. |
1055 | 01:15:21,691 | 01:15:25,521 | Until a surprising discovery in 1848.. | Until a surprising discovery in 1848.. |
1056 | 01:15:37,837 | 01:15:39,404 | Gold. | Gold. |
1057 | 01:15:42,886 | 01:15:45,758 | When gold was discovered in California in early 1848. | When gold was discovered in California in early 1848. |
1058 | 01:15:45,802 | 01:15:49,240 | No one expected anything like this. | No one expected anything like this. |
1059 | 01:15:49,283 | 01:15:51,590 | California, when the United States acquired it | California, when the United States acquired it |
1060 | 01:15:51,634 | 01:15:53,157 | at the end of the war with Mexico | at the end of the war with Mexico |
1061 | 01:15:53,200 | 01:15:56,290 | was about as far from the civilized portions | was about as far from the civilized portions |
1062 | 01:15:56,334 | 01:15:58,249 | of America as you could be and still be | of America as you could be and still be |
1063 | 01:15:58,292 | 01:15:59,511 | on the face of the planet Earth. | on the face of the planet Earth. |
1064 | 01:16:01,818 | 01:16:04,777 | Nobody expected that California would be settled in any hurry. | Nobody expected that California would be settled in any hurry. |
1065 | 01:16:07,650 | 01:16:11,218 | Word of the find travels quickly.. | Word of the find travels quickly.. |
1066 | 01:16:11,262 | 01:16:14,613 | ...igniting gold fever across the United States. | ...igniting gold fever across the United States. |
1067 | 01:16:24,144 | 01:16:28,801 | Soon, over 300,000 pioneers stream into California.. | Soon, over 300,000 pioneers stream into California.. |
1068 | 01:16:31,891 | 01:16:34,807 | ...one of the biggest migrations in American history. | ...one of the biggest migrations in American history. |
1069 | 01:16:37,070 | 01:16:39,420 | Once the gold rush is ignited | Once the gold rush is ignited |
1070 | 01:16:39,464 | 01:16:42,598 | all of these men go west on these trails that had been | all of these men go west on these trails that had been |
1071 | 01:16:42,641 | 01:16:45,992 | mapped and charted by Fremont and Carson. | mapped and charted by Fremont and Carson. |
1072 | 01:16:46,036 | 01:16:48,734 | This ensures that California | This ensures that California |
1073 | 01:16:48,778 | 01:16:51,215 | is going to be American territory forever. | is going to be American territory forever. |
1074 | 01:16:54,305 | 01:16:57,047 | Over the course of the gold rush.. | Over the course of the gold rush.. |
1075 | 01:16:57,090 | 01:17:01,138 | ...settlers mine over 750,000 pounds of gold.. | ...settlers mine over 750,000 pounds of gold.. |
1076 | 01:17:03,009 | 01:17:05,359 | ...generating more than two billion dollars.. | ...generating more than two billion dollars.. |
1077 | 01:17:07,187 | 01:17:09,625 | ...over 61 billion today. | ...over 61 billion today. |
1078 | 01:17:17,067 | 01:17:21,549 | In 1850, California becomes the 31st state. | In 1850, California becomes the 31st state. |
1079 | 01:17:25,815 | 01:17:28,731 | Completing a chapter in American history | Completing a chapter in American history |
1080 | 01:17:28,774 | 01:17:33,344 | that began 75 years before on the Appalachian Frontier. | that began 75 years before on the Appalachian Frontier. |
1081 | 01:17:35,128 | 01:17:36,869 | In many ways this was a continuation | In many ways this was a continuation |
1082 | 01:17:36,913 | 01:17:38,131 | of the American Revolution. | of the American Revolution. |
1083 | 01:17:38,175 | 01:17:40,003 | You know, we were 13 colonies | You know, we were 13 colonies |
1084 | 01:17:40,046 | 01:17:42,179 | we, but, kept pushing west and pushing west. | we, but, kept pushing west and pushing west. |
1085 | 01:17:43,876 | 01:17:46,313 | But it wouldn't be a complete picture | But it wouldn't be a complete picture |
1086 | 01:17:46,357 | 01:17:49,839 | until we were a nation from sea to shining sea. | until we were a nation from sea to shining sea. |
1087 | 01:17:52,363 | 01:17:53,886 | The daring frontiersmen | The daring frontiersmen |
1088 | 01:17:53,930 | 01:17:55,845 | who first braved the wilderness.. | who first braved the wilderness.. |
1089 | 01:17:57,498 | 01:18:00,414 | ...helped shape the future of America. | ...helped shape the future of America. |
1090 | 01:18:02,721 | 01:18:05,637 | The American frontier spirit was right there | The American frontier spirit was right there |
1091 | 01:18:05,681 | 01:18:08,945 | at the very beginning, during the American Revolution. | at the very beginning, during the American Revolution. |
1092 | 01:18:08,988 | 01:18:11,556 | That notion where nothing is going to stop you | That notion where nothing is going to stop you |
1093 | 01:18:11,599 | 01:18:15,125 | from going out and getting your piece of the pie. | from going out and getting your piece of the pie. |
1094 | 01:18:19,129 | 01:18:21,697 | As they relentlessly moved west | As they relentlessly moved west |
1095 | 01:18:21,740 | 01:18:25,570 | seeking new land and opportunity.. | seeking new land and opportunity.. |
1096 | 01:18:25,613 | 01:18:28,529 | ...they clashed with Native American tribes | ...they clashed with Native American tribes |
1097 | 01:18:28,573 | 01:18:32,446 | determined to defend what was rightfully theirs. | determined to defend what was rightfully theirs. |
1098 | 01:18:32,490 | 01:18:38,452 | The frontier was both the dark side and the light side | The frontier was both the dark side and the light side |
1099 | 01:18:38,496 | 01:18:40,106 | of American expansion. | of American expansion. |
1100 | 01:18:40,150 | 01:18:43,893 | Native people, just like settler people | Native people, just like settler people |
1101 | 01:18:43,936 | 01:18:45,721 | need to be counted as Americans. | need to be counted as Americans. |
1102 | 01:18:47,592 | 01:18:50,464 | Like any human being, American Indians fought | Like any human being, American Indians fought |
1103 | 01:18:50,508 | 01:18:52,597 | for their families, for their nations | for their families, for their nations |
1104 | 01:18:52,640 | 01:18:54,817 | for their lands, for their assets, for their life. | for their lands, for their assets, for their life. |
1105 | 01:18:56,209 | 01:18:57,950 | We are still here. | We are still here. |
1106 | 01:19:00,083 | 01:19:01,867 | We've not been exterminated. | We've not been exterminated. |
1107 | 01:19:01,911 | 01:19:03,608 | American Indians are to be honored for that | American Indians are to be honored for that |
1108 | 01:19:03,651 | 01:19:05,305 | and they continue to fight today. | and they continue to fight today. |
1109 | 01:19:12,138 | 01:19:14,793 | Brave explorers mapped the unknown | Brave explorers mapped the unknown |
1110 | 01:19:14,837 | 01:19:17,317 | blazing trails for settlers to follow. | blazing trails for settlers to follow. |
1111 | 01:19:18,405 | 01:19:20,190 | Bold and resourceful | Bold and resourceful |
1112 | 01:19:20,233 | 01:19:22,932 | the frontiersmen became American legends. | the frontiersmen became American legends. |
1113 | 01:19:24,585 | 01:19:26,196 | Come on, men! | Come on, men! |
1114 | 01:19:26,239 | 01:19:28,546 | There was always a fascination | There was always a fascination |
1115 | 01:19:28,589 | 01:19:31,549 | with this image of The Pathfinder. | with this image of The Pathfinder. |
1116 | 01:19:31,592 | 01:19:34,682 | With buckskin and rifle, sorta going out | With buckskin and rifle, sorta going out |
1117 | 01:19:34,726 | 01:19:36,467 | into the great unknown. | into the great unknown. |
1118 | 01:19:39,165 | 01:19:42,255 | Icons who inspired generations | Icons who inspired generations |
1119 | 01:19:42,299 | 01:19:44,954 | with tales of their endurance and skill. | with tales of their endurance and skill. |
1120 | 01:19:47,260 | 01:19:51,917 | The kinda people who would go to the frontier were tough.. | The kinda people who would go to the frontier were tough.. |
1121 | 01:19:51,961 | 01:19:55,355 | ...and they seemed to relish danger in the unknown. | ...and they seemed to relish danger in the unknown. |
1122 | 01:19:57,140 | 01:20:00,447 | The frontier was not for the faint of heart. | The frontier was not for the faint of heart. |
1123 | 01:20:00,491 | 01:20:04,190 | The frontier was hard and it bit back and it hurt. | The frontier was hard and it bit back and it hurt. |
1124 | 01:20:05,496 | 01:20:07,672 | Fire! | Fire! |
1125 | 01:20:07,715 | 01:20:10,893 | They were willing to put up with insane risks. | They were willing to put up with insane risks. |
1126 | 01:20:10,936 | 01:20:13,678 | This was a world without outlaws. | This was a world without outlaws. |
1127 | 01:20:13,721 | 01:20:15,898 | There were no laws to be outside of. | There were no laws to be outside of. |
1128 | 01:20:15,941 | 01:20:18,074 | You kinda created your own code. | You kinda created your own code. |
1129 | 01:20:21,251 | 01:20:23,601 | The frontier itself helped to forge | The frontier itself helped to forge |
1130 | 01:20:23,644 | 01:20:26,038 | the nation's identity | the nation's identity |
1131 | 01:20:26,082 | 01:20:30,564 | and has come to define the American spirit. | and has come to define the American spirit. |
1132 | 01:20:30,608 | 01:20:33,176 | Congratulations, captain. | Congratulations, captain. |
1133 | 01:20:35,569 | 01:20:39,182 | The frontier is in America's DNA. | The frontier is in America's DNA. |
1134 | 01:20:39,225 | 01:20:41,401 | It is the way we think of ourselves. | It is the way we think of ourselves. |
1135 | 01:20:41,445 | 01:20:43,664 | We no longer think of ourselves as a frontier society | We no longer think of ourselves as a frontier society |
1136 | 01:20:43,708 | 01:20:46,667 | but we like to think of ourselves as these individuals. | but we like to think of ourselves as these individuals. |
1137 | 01:20:46,711 | 01:20:48,626 | That was an essence of the frontier. | That was an essence of the frontier. |
1138 | 01:20:50,541 | 01:20:52,456 | The frontier represented the quintessence | The frontier represented the quintessence |
1139 | 01:20:52,499 | 01:20:54,719 | of American opportunity. | of American opportunity. |
1140 | 01:20:54,762 | 01:20:57,853 | The frontier disappeared from American history | The frontier disappeared from American history |
1141 | 01:20:57,896 | 01:20:59,898 | over a hundred years ago. | over a hundred years ago. |
1142 | 01:20:59,942 | 01:21:02,074 | But the frontier remains very much alive | But the frontier remains very much alive |
1143 | 01:21:02,118 | 01:21:05,208 | in the way Americans define ourselves. | in the way Americans define ourselves. |