The American West: History, Myth, and Legacy

The Fur Trade and the Mountain Men (1x5)

Air date: Jan 01, 2017

Fur traders and mountain men played an integral part in exploring and mapping the American West. Here, Professor Allitt reveals why fur was such a precious commodity; how John Jacob Astor dominated the American fur trade; and how famous mountaineers like Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger, and Kit Carson became legends.