American Ride
47 Episodes
Next Airdate: May 22, 8:00pm (MT)
Ride with America's history teacher, Stan Ellsworth, on a tour of the country from the back of his Harley-Davidson. Discover the cowboys and boomtowns that made up the Wild West.
Episodes: American Ride
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How The West Was Lost
Originally aired: 5/21/2013
Ride with Stan and learn the story of the Westward expansion from the point of view of the people of the Lakota and Cheyenne nations.
The Earps
Originally aired: 5/14/2013
Learn about the Earps, the most iconic name of the Old West. Follow the trail of Wyatt, his brothers, and his pal Doc Holliday, and discover how...
Lookin' Fer Trouble
Originally aired: 5/7/2013
Take a look at the myths and truths about famous gunfights in the Wild West. Both justice and business were dispensed at the end of a gun, and...
Order from Chaos
Originally aired: 4/30/2013
Civilization is taking hold in the West, and people are demanding law and order. Enter the lawman, a man who might be of dubious character, but...
Bad Company
Originally aired: 4/23/2013
The West is growing, business is expanding, and civilization is on its way, both good and bad. Meet some of the men, and ladies, who put the...
Wanderers, Vagabonds, Drifters and Saddletramps
Originally aired: 4/16/2013
Explore the business of beef: the cattle drives from Texas to the railways hundreds of miles to the north, the men who made the money, and the...
Rails, Trails and Boomtowns
Originally aired: 4/9/2013
The American dream is alive once again, and the dreamers are heading west into wild country. Examine the wagon trains and steam trains, the gold...
Dust in the Wind
Originally aired: 4/2/2013
The Civil War is over, but the nation is still divided. Explore the difficulties of putting a nation back together and how the end of the war led...
Legacy of Lincoln
Originally aired: 12/18/2012
The end of the war brings a new hope for the nation, but one last tragic price must be paid for the victory of the Union and freedom.
The Rest of the Story
Originally aired: 12/11/2012
After the Civil War, many men were reunited as “brothers” while others continued to fight a war of words.
Brothers Again
Originally aired: 12/4/2012
Witness the remarkable meeting of General Grant with General Lee, where they begin to heal the nation’s wounds.
Lost Cause
Originally aired: 11/27/2012
Confederate General John Bell Hood launches an invasion of union held Tennessee and General Jubal Early strikes at the federal capitol of...
On to Richmond
Originally aired: 11/20/2012
In General Grant’s Wilderness Campaign, the Union army suffers defeat after defeat. Despite these victories, General Lee feels the pressure of...
March to the Sea
Originally aired: 11/13/2012
General William T. Sherman may be the most vilified man of the war, but he is a man who did not burn Atlanta or Charleston and was very friendly...
Price of Honor
Originally aired: 11/6/2012
Learn about the Emancipation Proclamation, the Battle of Chattanooga, and other events surrounding the American Civil War.
Gettysburg
Originally aired: 10/30/2012
Learn how close the South came to winning this critical battle and how Gettysburg became the turning point of the war.
Changing Of The Guard: Lee And Grant
Originally aired: 10/23/2012
Learn about the genius of General Robert E. Lee, the last great warrior of the Napoleonic age, and discover what made General Grant the first...
The Cost Of Freedom
Originally aired: 10/16/2012
The new technology of the industrial revolution makes the weapons of war even more destructive.
From The Jaws Of Victory (They Snatched Defeat)
Originally aired: 10/9/2012
Take a look at Civil War battles where the victors clinched their success against all odds.
The Fires of Secession
Originally aired: 10/2/2012
Hear the first shots of the Civil War and travel from coast to coast seeing the tragic consequences that followed.
Mr. Lincoln's War
Originally aired: 10/2/2012
Learn about the struggles of an unassuming “backwoods” lawyer who became a powerful political voice and the champion of the Union.
A House Divided
Originally aired: 6/26/2012
Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and the actions of the violent abolitionist John Brown irreparably sever the union and send the...
Different Visions, Different Dreams
Originally aired: 6/19/2012
Explore the two early American visions which inevitably tried to tear the country apart in the split between industry and agriculture.
Moving Forward
Originally aired: 6/12/2012
As the nation expands across the continent, find a way to keep in touch with the Pony Express, stage coach, and telegraph.
Go West, Young Man
Originally aired: 6/5/2012
Explore the pioneering spirit of westward expansion by following the Oregon trail, discovering the California coast, and settling into the high...
From Sea To Shining Sea
Originally aired: 5/29/2012
Learn about the growing pains and sectional tensions between the North and the South as the nation expands across the continent.
The Growing Stain Of Slavery
Originally aired: 5/22/2012
From Harriet Tubman to Frederick Douglass--meet the people who tried to solve the paradox of slavery in America.
Rivers & Railroads
Originally aired: 5/15/2012
Take a giant leap forward with the new technology of the steam engine, and see how American traffic and trade change accross the nation--from...
The Mountain Men
Originally aired: 5/8/2012
Travel with mountain men into the American west and learn about everything from the Astor expedition to the rendezvous of Jim Bridger.
Discovery Continues
Originally aired: 5/1/2012
Westward expansion begins as famed frontiersman Daniel Boone leads settlers into the great unknown.
Hanging On To What We've Got
Originally aired: 4/24/2012
Tensions flare between America and Great Britain, and the War of 1812 begins.
Into The Great Unknown
Originally aired: 4/17/2012
Lewis and Clark map and explore the wilderness west of the Mississippi in search of the Northwest Passage.
Now What? Doubling Our Size
Originally aired: 4/10/2012
Washington defines the role of the president and the Louisiana Purchase doubles the size of the United States.
We The People—A Miracle
Originally aired: 4/3/2012
A government for the people, by the people is formed during the second Constitutional Convention.
Patriots' Finest Hour
Originally aired: 12/27/2011
Learn about the nautical hero John Paul Jones, the great victory at Yorktown, and the French and American navies.
Victory Of The Common Man
Originally aired: 12/20/2011
The unruly “Overmountain Boys” crush the loyalists at Kings Mountain; General Daniel Morgan rediscovers modern tactics at Cowpens; and General...
The War Goes South
Originally aired: 12/13/2011
When Washington and the Continental army charge out of Valley Forge, the British change their strategy and take the war south.
Refiner's Fire
Originally aired: 12/6/2011
George Washington and the Continental Army endure the harsh winter at Valley Forge.
The Battle of Saratoga
Originally aired: 11/29/2011
The great American victory at Saratoga makes France an ally of the new United States and turns the revolution into world war.
The Crisis
Originally aired: 11/22/2011
Washington does the unthinkable when he crosses the frozen Delaware for surprise attacks that will keep the patriot cause alive.
The Miracle at New York
Originally aired: 11/8/2011
When General Howe brings an invasion to the battle of Brooklyn Heights, Washington’s miraculous retreat to Manhattan saves the Continental Army.
We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident
Originally aired: 11/1/2011
See what happens when the Second Continental Congress votes to create a document that will declare to the world that America will be free.
The Miracle of Ticonderoga
Originally aired: 10/25/2011
The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. Emotions run high as General Ethan Allen is deployed to deal with the British at...
The Die Has Now Been Cast
Originally aired: 10/18/2011
Find out what happens when the fervor for a revolution is fueled by Paul Revere’s famous ride, the Boston Tea Party, and the battles of Lexington...
Trigger Of The Revolution
Originally aired: 10/11/2011
See what happens when pilgrims tire of oppression and seek religious freedom—and Sam Adams, John Adams, and John Hancock become the architects of...
Seeds of Independence
Originally aired: 10/4/2011
Discover George Washington and his experience with the French and Indian War. Then, find out what happened when the British government began...
The New World
Originally aired: 10/4/2011
From the Renaissance to the Reformation and colonization, meet pioneers in science, religion, and exploration that paved the way to a New World...
How The West Was Lost
Ride with Stan and learn the story of the Westward expansion from the point of view of the people of the Lakota and Cheyenne nations.
The Earps
Learn about the Earps, the most iconic name of the Old West. Follow the trail of Wyatt, his brothers, and his pal Doc Holliday, and discover how most of their reputation and legacy was earned at the O.K. Corral.
Lookin' Fer Trouble
Take a look at the myths and truths about famous gunfights in the Wild West. Both justice and business were dispensed at the end of a gun, and once in a while a fight over a woman, a card game, or an insult was ended with a gun.
Order from Chaos
Civilization is taking hold in the West, and people are demanding law and order. Enter the lawman, a man who might be of dubious character, but he's good with a gun, and he's got a badge.
Bad Company
The West is growing, business is expanding, and civilization is on its way, both good and bad. Meet some of the men, and ladies, who put the "Wild" into the Wild West, including the notorious James Gang.
Wanderers, Vagabonds, Drifters and Saddletramps
Explore the business of beef: the cattle drives from Texas to the railways hundreds of miles to the north, the men who made the money, and the cowboys who did the real work.
Rails, Trails and Boomtowns
The American dream is alive once again, and the dreamers are heading west into wild country. Examine the wagon trains and steam trains, the gold and silver strikes, and the boomtowns that came and went.
Dust in the Wind
The Civil War is over, but the nation is still divided. Explore the difficulties of putting a nation back together and how the end of the war led to the opening of the Wild West.
Legacy of Lincoln
The end of the war brings a new hope for the nation, but one last tragic price must be paid for the victory of the Union and freedom.
The Rest of the Story
After the Civil War, many men were reunited as “brothers” while others continued to fight a war of words.
Brothers Again
Witness the remarkable meeting of General Grant with General Lee, where they begin to heal the nation’s wounds.
Lost Cause
Confederate General John Bell Hood launches an invasion of union held Tennessee and General Jubal Early strikes at the federal capitol of Washington, DC. Generals Grant and Lee glare out at each other at the siege of Petersburg.
On to Richmond
In General Grant’s Wilderness Campaign, the Union army suffers defeat after defeat. Despite these victories, General Lee feels the pressure of Grant’s army and the inexhaustible resources of the North.
March to the Sea
General William T. Sherman may be the most vilified man of the war, but he is a man who did not burn Atlanta or Charleston and was very friendly to the southern point of view.
Price of Honor
Learn about the Emancipation Proclamation, the Battle of Chattanooga, and other events surrounding the American Civil War.
Gettysburg
Learn how close the South came to winning this critical battle and how Gettysburg became the turning point of the war.
Changing Of The Guard: Lee And Grant
Learn about the genius of General Robert E. Lee, the last great warrior of the Napoleonic age, and discover what made General Grant the first warrior of a new era.
The Cost Of Freedom
The new technology of the industrial revolution makes the weapons of war even more destructive.
From The Jaws Of Victory (They Snatched Defeat)
Take a look at Civil War battles where the victors clinched their success against all odds.
The Fires of Secession
Hear the first shots of the Civil War and travel from coast to coast seeing the tragic consequences that followed.
Mr. Lincoln's War
Learn about the struggles of an unassuming “backwoods” lawyer who became a powerful political voice and the champion of the Union.
A House Divided
Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and the actions of the violent abolitionist John Brown irreparably sever the union and send the nation toward Civil War.
Different Visions, Different Dreams
Explore the two early American visions which inevitably tried to tear the country apart in the split between industry and agriculture.
Moving Forward
As the nation expands across the continent, find a way to keep in touch with the Pony Express, stage coach, and telegraph.
Go West, Young Man
Explore the pioneering spirit of westward expansion by following the Oregon trail, discovering the California coast, and settling into the high mountains of Utah.
From Sea To Shining Sea
Learn about the growing pains and sectional tensions between the North and the South as the nation expands across the continent.
The Growing Stain Of Slavery
From Harriet Tubman to Frederick Douglass--meet the people who tried to solve the paradox of slavery in America.
Rivers & Railroads
Take a giant leap forward with the new technology of the steam engine, and see how American traffic and trade change accross the nation--from steamships in the south to mighty locomotives in the North.
The Mountain Men
Travel with mountain men into the American west and learn about everything from the Astor expedition to the rendezvous of Jim Bridger.
Discovery Continues
Westward expansion begins as famed frontiersman Daniel Boone leads settlers into the great unknown.
Hanging On To What We've Got
Tensions flare between America and Great Britain, and the War of 1812 begins.
Into The Great Unknown
Lewis and Clark map and explore the wilderness west of the Mississippi in search of the Northwest Passage.
Now What? Doubling Our Size
Washington defines the role of the president and the Louisiana Purchase doubles the size of the United States.
We The People—A Miracle
A government for the people, by the people is formed during the second Constitutional Convention.
Patriots' Finest Hour
Learn about the nautical hero John Paul Jones, the great victory at Yorktown, and the French and American navies.
Victory Of The Common Man
The unruly “Overmountain Boys” crush the loyalists at Kings Mountain; General Daniel Morgan rediscovers modern tactics at Cowpens; and General Nathaniel Greene continues the war of attrition.
The War Goes South
When Washington and the Continental army charge out of Valley Forge, the British change their strategy and take the war south.
Refiner's Fire
George Washington and the Continental Army endure the harsh winter at Valley Forge.
The Battle of Saratoga
The great American victory at Saratoga makes France an ally of the new United States and turns the revolution into world war.
The Crisis
Washington does the unthinkable when he crosses the frozen Delaware for surprise attacks that will keep the patriot cause alive.
The Miracle at New York
When General Howe brings an invasion to the battle of Brooklyn Heights, Washington’s miraculous retreat to Manhattan saves the Continental Army.
We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident
See what happens when the Second Continental Congress votes to create a document that will declare to the world that America will be free.
The Miracle of Ticonderoga
The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia. Emotions run high as General Ethan Allen is deployed to deal with the British at Ticonderoga. Washington lays siege to British-held Boston.
The Die Has Now Been Cast
Find out what happens when the fervor for a revolution is fueled by Paul Revere’s famous ride, the Boston Tea Party, and the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Trigger Of The Revolution
See what happens when pilgrims tire of oppression and seek religious freedom—and Sam Adams, John Adams, and John Hancock become the architects of American independence.
Seeds of Independence
Discover George Washington and his experience with the French and Indian War. Then, find out what happened when the British government began taxing the colonies without their consent.
The New World
From the Renaissance to the Reformation and colonization, meet pioneers in science, religion, and exploration that paved the way to a New World and the birth of a nation.