The Hidden History of the Black American West

The westward expansion of the United States has a far bigger and more complex history than Hollywood westerns and high school textbooks would have us believe. Even before the establishment of the British colonies on the nation’s eastern shore, the American West was beginning to take shape—including the arrival of the first people of African descent to set foot in North America in the late 1400s. From the very beginning, the history of the American West has been intertwined with the Black experience.

In the six lectures of The Hidden History of the Black American West, Professor Alaina Roberts reveals this little-known story, illuminating the many ways that knowing Black history is crucial to understanding the creation of the United States as we know it today. Throughout these lectures, you’ll meet the African American lawmen, entrepreneurs, cowboys—and even outlaws—who played a part in the settlement and expansion of the West.

As you trace the history of the American West from the arrival of settlers and traders from abroad in the 15th century to the waves of migration in the 19th century and beyond, you’ll see how Black people were there for all of it, putting their own indelible stamp on the culture and the nation. Join us for The Hidden History of the Black American West and discover the tragedies and triumphs that shaped a fledgling nation.

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