The aim of this section is to give you a selection of books and films to read/watch in preparation for teaching or studying C19th USA. Click the images to go to a product page. Do get in touch if you have any other recommendations.
TV and Film
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| A fantastic documentary which details American expansion from 1789-1900. Brilliantly put together with some excellent interviews and really tight focus on personal stories. Highly recommended. | Another great documentary by Ken Burns looking at the Civil War. Available to download. |
This SHP online discussion covers the teaching of the conflicts on the Northern Plains which occurred during the mid C19th. It also deals more broadly with how we teach about Indigenous peoples in US history and touches on a wide range of issues to be aware of.
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| Deeply moving account of the life of Solomon Northup who was kidnapped into slavery. Based faithfully on Northup's original book, which can be downloaded for free online. | If you want to understand America's own telling of the settlement of the West then this is the best film to do it. A classic, though clearly from the white US perspective. Myth making in action. |
Captures life on the trails like no other film. Long, hot and dusty. A really interesting take on the Western genre.
Book selection
 The definitive book on pre-Civil War slavery and the expansion of the USA. Baptist explains all American development through the lens of slavery and exploitation. Absolutely brilliant. Also an audio book. |  This book gives a good sense of the expansion of the USA as an act of settler colonialism. It is highly readable and is available in a kids version too! |  A nice, accessible overview of the American Civil War. Adam Smith also has a website with further useful resources. |
 An excellent resource for secondary teachers wanting to do justice to Native American history. As one reviewer noted, "Mihesuah's work should be required reading for elementary and upper level teachers, college instructors and parents. Let us hope it finds a wide readership in mainstream circles." |  The book is available online HERE. It has been written specifically for teachers to help them engage with integrating Indigenous peoples into their narratives. Many of the chapters can be read as needed but I would highly recommend starting with Chapter 17 on settler colonialism. Chapters 5-10 are highly relevant to most GCSE courses. |  A fantastic introduction to the American West. Also available as an audio book. |
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