Ep 5. The Grandest Enterprise Under God

Ken Burns' The West season 1 episode 5, titled "The Grandest Enterprise Under God," explores the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the late 1800s. The episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of building a railroad stretching from the east coast to the west coast of the United States, across rugged terrain, through harsh weather conditions, and over the objections of Native American tribes whose land was being overrun.

The episode begins with the ambitious idea of constructing the railroad and the race between the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroad companies to claim government land grants and complete the project. Viewers witness the back-breaking labor of thousands of workers, many of them immigrants and former Civil War soldiers, as they laid tracks, blasted tunnels through mountains, and built bridges over canyons.

As the railroad neared completion, tensions rose between the railroad companies and the Native American tribes whose land and way of life were being destroyed. The episode explores the devastating impact of the railroad on the indigenous peoples of the west, including the displacement of entire communities, destruction of hunting grounds, and the decimation of buffalo populations that tribes relied on for their survival. It also highlights the bravery of Native American leaders, such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, who fought back against the encroaching railroad and the U.S. Army.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning imagery of the American west, including the expansive landscapes, varied ecosystems, and diverse wildlife. The episode also includes interviews with historians and experts on the subject, as well as readings from primary sources, such as letters and diaries, that shed light on the human experience of building and living alongside the railroad.

Overall, "The Grandest Enterprise Under God" is a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of one of the most ambitious and destructive projects in American history. It offers a nuanced and complex portrayal of the railroad's impact on the people and land of the west, and challenges viewers to consider the costs and benefits of progress and expansion.