Ep 6. Use It or Lose It

In episode 6 of How The States Got Their Shapes season 1, titled Use It or Lose It, host Brian Unger explores how border disputes between neighboring states often revolve around natural resources like water, oil, and even forests. He travels to the Great Lakes region to investigate how the four states that share this vast water supply divide its use, and how the abundance of water has fueled their economic and population growth.

Unger then heads west to explore how the discovery of oil in Texas in the early twentieth century created a domino effect across the country, leading to disputes over oil-rich lands and laying the groundwork for the modern petroleum industry. He also examines the role of forests in shaping state boundaries, including how disagreements over the management of national forests in California and Oregon have created ongoing border disputes.

Throughout the episode, Unger interviews a variety of experts including historians, geographers, and legal scholars to help explain the complex issues at play. He also uses a mix of maps, archival imagery, and on-location footage to illustrate how these disputes have played out over time and continue to shape state boundaries today.

In addition to exploring the larger themes of natural resources and border disputes, the episode also delves into some fascinating regional histories. For example, Unger visits a remote corner of New Mexico where a small community of people has been living without access to running water for generations. He also travels to Minnesota to meet a group of residents who are fighting to preserve a unique natural resource, a rare strain of wild rice that has been harvested by native populations for thousands of years.

Overall, Use It or Lose It offers a fascinating glimpse into the many factors that have shaped state borders in the United States, from historic rivalries to modern-day tensions over natural resources. Whether you're a history buff, a geography enthusiast, or just curious about how the country got its shape, this episode is sure to entertain and enlighten.