America has a long and varied history. It is a story of conquests, wars and political experimentation. It is also a story of economic and social struggles, successes and failures. The United States is one of the largest, most powerful countries in the world. It is home to a diverse population of people with many…
Although the word Europe is often used to refer to a single continent, the region has a very different history than the rest of the world. Rather than an integrated and homogeneous whole, it is a diverse and warlike region with many different peoples speaking various languages. The history of western europe includes a long…
Founded in 1961, the western history association brings together writers, scholars, collectors, curators, educators, students and others interested in the study of the North American West in its broadest sense. It is the only organization dedicated to fostering the study of all aspects of this fascinating period in our nation’s and world’s past. WHA members…
In teaching introductory world history, it is important to think carefully about what the term “western civilization” means. It is a nebulous concept that is not as easy to define as, say, “the Middle East,” but it encompasses many entwined dimensions. Traditionally, the story of Western civilization has made an uneasy distinction between a supposedly…
If you want to understand American history and culture, the Western heritage museum is the place to go. It contains some of the world’s most impressive collections of art, historic horse-drawn carriages and wagons. It also features some of the nation’s most renowned Western art exhibitions. The Western history museum also includes a children’s room….
When Europeans first encountered North America, they viewed it as a vast wilderness waiting to be settled and developed economically. The indigenous agriculture in what is now the United States and Canada seemed strange and rudimentary to them, and herds of domesticated grazing animals did not yet make much dent in the continent’s forests or…
The West is a major player in the world’s political, philosophical and cultural landscape. The Western legacy includes contributions from Classical Greece and Rome, the medieval Christian kingdoms, and later the Protestant Reformation, the Enlightenment, industrialization and modern democracy. The West also has a unique place in history as the first major civilization to seek…
The Great Western Trail was a treacherous and sometimes life-threatening journey. During its brief heyday in the 1830s and 1840s it connected Santa Fe, New Mexico to Los Angeles, California. At its height it drew wagon trains, army units, missionaries, hunters, traders, and sightseeing tourists. It was not uncommon for cholera and smallpox to kill…
Many occurrences throughout history have had a significant impact on what Western civilization is today. In a world that often seems divided, the idea of a common cultural heritage unites people of all backgrounds. Human societies have always gone through periods of growth and dominance, followed by times of decline and ebb. The rise and…
Many New Yorkers spend substantial sums each year on life insurance premiums with little understanding of what they are getting for their money. This resource center provides an overview of the most common life insurance policies and important shopping tips to help you get the best value for your dollars. Whether you are looking to…