119) Manifest Destiny
Barren deserts, pine woods, sea coasts, and prairies combined to form the land the United State coveted. The concept of Manifest Destiny and its implications of war and diplomacy are examined. Historian interviewed: Professor K. Jack Bauer, Renssalear Polytechnic Institute-New York.

120) Agitation and Compromise
The Mexican Cession lands and the old Senate Chamber reflect the contrast of the debates and the debated. The problems of compromising the issue of slavery expansion into the new territories brought the Union perilously close to conflict in 1850. Historian interviewed: Professor Eric Foner, Columbia University-New York.

121) The Fitful Fifties
The Kansas sites of violence during the 1850's provide a setting for investigating the aftermath of the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act. The political reactions include the rise of the Republican Party, an assault on Senator Sumner, and a split in the Democratic Party. Historian interviewed: Professor Kathyrn Sklar, UCLA.

122) Crisis of a Union
From the Illinois home of Abraham Lincoln to the Federal Fort in Charleston Harbor, the march toward tragedy is traced. The ascent of Lincoln's political star, the descent of Douglas' political fortunes, and the consequences of the election of 1860 sealed the fate of the nation. Historian interviewed: Professor Kathryn Sklar, UCLA.