Ep 9. Culture Clash

In season 1 episode 9 of How The States Got Their Shapes, titled Culture Clash, viewers are taken on a journey through the history and geography of the southern United States. The episode focuses on the clash of cultures that occurred as Europeans settled in the region and encountered indigenous peoples and African slaves.

Host Brian Unger begins the episode in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he explores the city's unique blend of French, Spanish, and African-American cultures. He visits the historic French Quarter, which was established in the early 18th century, and learns about the city's complex history of colonization and slavery. Unger also visits the Treme neighborhood, an area famous for its African-American culture and jazz music.

From New Orleans, Unger travels to Mississippi, where he encounters the legacy of the Native American tribes who once inhabited the region. He visits the Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic road that follows a trail used by the Natchez, Choctaw, and Chickasaw tribes. Unger observes the natural beauty of the area, as well as a 500-year-old Native American mound that serves as a symbol of the tribes' rich history.

The episode then shifts its focus to Texas, where Unger explores the state's long and complicated history of colonization. He visits the Alamo, a historic mission in San Antonio where a famous battle between Texans and Mexicans occurred in 1836. Unger also travels to the Rio Grande Valley, a region that has been the site of numerous border disputes between the United States and Mexico. He meets with locals on both sides of the border and learns about the challenges and complexities of living in an area with such a rich cultural heritage.

Next, the episode moves on to Georgia, where Unger explores the state's role in the American Civil War. He visits the historic town of Savannah, where the Confederate army launched a failed attack on Union forces in 1864. Unger also meets with locals who are passionate about preserving the memory of the Civil War, including a group of Civil War reenactors who spend their weekends recreating historic battles.

Finally, the episode concludes in Florida, where Unger explores the state's unique blend of cultures and natural environments. He visits the Everglades National Park, a vast wetland that is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species. Unger also meets with locals in Miami, a city famous for its Latin American culture and vibrant nightlife.

Throughout the episode, Unger emphasizes the importance of understanding the rich cultural heritage of the southern United States. He explains how the region's diverse mix of native tribes, European settlers, African slaves, and Latin American immigrants have all contributed to the region's unique identity. He also touches on how the clash of cultures in the southern US has had a lasting impact on the region's history, geography, and politics.

In sum, How The States Got Their Shapes season 1 episode 9, Culture Clash, provides viewers with a fascinating look at the diverse mix of cultures that make up the southern United States. From the Native American tribes of Mississippi to the Latin American immigrants of Miami, the episode explores the complex history and geography of the region, highlighting the ways in which the clash of cultures has shaped the southern US into the unique and vibrant place that it is today.