Manifest Destiny and the California Gold Rush | The West | History

Gold was discovered in Sacramento in 1848, and people flocked to the West. See more in this scene from Season 1, Episode 5, "The Robin Hood of El Dorado." Stay up to date on all of your favorite The HISTORY Channel shows at http://history.com/schedule. #HISTORY #KevinCostnersTheWest From Executive Producers Kevin Costner and Doris Kearns Goodwin, Kevin Costner’s The West is an eight-part series that provides a fresh look at the epic history of the American West by delving into the desperate struggle for the land itself –and how it still shapes the America we know today.The West has fired the imaginations of Americans since the end of the Revolutionary War, when settlers first began their relentless push beyond the Appalachians. In their quest for new lands and better lives – or just hoping to strike it rich – many became legends: the explorers of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, migrant families in covered wagons beating the trail to Oregon, feared outlaws and the lawmen that hunted them down, abolitionists who fought slavery on this new frontier, cowboys and ranchers who sought to claim their piece of the American dream through hard work. But the pioneers who staked their claims to the West also sparked fierce conflicts with native nations, and The Miami, Blackfeet, Comanche and Lakota brought together powerful alliances to defend their ancestral lands. While the West offers a chance to explore, to build, to strike it rich or start anew, there is a powerful truth at the heart of all these dreams: this land has the unique power both to promise bounty…and bring bloodshed. Don't miss a video! Subscribe NOW:    / @history   ABOUT THE HISTORY CHANNEL: The HISTORY® Channel, a division of A+E Global Media, is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events, to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based scripted programming, The HISTORY® Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. FOLLOW HISTORY CHANNEL: Watch Full Episodes: https://www.history.com/videos Sign Up For History Emails: https://www.history.com/emails/sign-up Browse Topical Videos: https://www.history.com/topics Facebook:   / history   Instagram:   / history   TikTok:   / history   X:   / history   YouTube:    / @history   Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialog, music, and images that are property of The HISTORY® Channel. You are authorized to share the video link and channel, and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube Channel is provided. © 2025 The HISTORY® Channel Manifest Destiny and the California Gold Rush | The West | History    / @history