Julie Roy Jeffrey of Goucher College very briefly outlines the development of the idea of the separate gender "spheres of influence"—work for men and home for women—that developed in the 19th century.

To view this clip, select "Changing Gender Roles in the Antebellum Period" under "Women and Gender Video."

Michael F. Holt of the University of Virginia looks at the development of a second two-party political system in antebellum U.S. and the role the system played in balancing and unifying the nation. Holt also looks at the dissolution of this second system through loss of public faith in the Democratic and Whig parties as they stood and in the development of the Republican and Know Nothing parties in response to new social forces (such as immigration and the rise of Roman Catholicism).

To view this clip, select "The Second Party System in American Politics" under "Political Development Video."

Michael F. Holt of the University of Virginia examines the use and acceptance of women in politics in the antebellum Whig and Democratic parties, focusing on Whig encouragement of the idea of women as the "moral center" of families.

To view this clip, select "Women's Roles in Whig Politics" under "Political Development Video."

Edward L. Ayers of the University of Virginia looks at Northern and Southern responses to John Brown's Raid and John Brown's execution, focusing on the regional differences the responses brought to the fore and media manipulation of these responses.

To view this clip, select "John Brown's Raid and the American Sectional Crisis" under "Political Development Video."

Kathryn Kish Sklar of SUNY-Binghamton looks at the differing perceptions of women and family life held by antebellum political parties and the tensions this led to that may have contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.

To view this clip, select "Women and Political Activity in the Antebellum Whig Party" under "Political Development Video."

Scholar James Lewis outlines Andrew Jackson's views of Native Americans and his discounting of Native American power and the validity of treaties signed with Native American tribes.

To view this clip, select "Andrew Jackson and Federal Indian Policy" under "Native American Relations Video."

Scholar James Lewis looks at the influence of Shawnee leader Tecumseh and his brother, the prophet Tenskwatawa, in encouraging Native American tribes to cooperate in resisting U.S. settlers and government control.

To view this clip, select "Tecumseh" under "Native American Relations Video."

Scholar James Lewis contrasts antebellum Midwestern settlers' concepts of orderly land division and ownership with Native American borderless and communal concepts of land use.

To view this clip, select "Settlement of the Northwest Territory" under "Native American Relations Video."

Michael F. Holt of the University of Virginia outlines Stephen Douglas's creation of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the repercussions of Congress's passing the Act.

To view this clip, select "Stephen Douglas and the Kansas-Nebraska Act" under "Frontier Settlement Video."

Michael F. Holt of the University of Virginia discusses the struggle to resolve disputes over territory acquired during the Mexican-American War, particularly the dispute over how (and whether) slavery should spread into the new territories.

To view this clip, select "Origins of the Compromise of 1850" under "Frontier Settlement Video."