162. The Oregon Trail & the Gold Rush

This episode of the Empire podcast interviews Katie Hickman about her book, "Bravehearted," which re-examines the history of women in the American West. The conversation begins by challenging the stereotypical portrayals of women in Westerns and then delves into the geographical and historical context of westward expansion in the 1840s-1850s, focusing on Fort Laramie as a key location. Hickman highlights the significant role of the fur trade and the surprisingly common intermarriage between white trappers and Native American women, contrasting this period of relative harmony with the devastating impact of the gold rush and subsequent conflicts. The interview uses the story of the Bordeaux family and the Grattan Massacre as a case study to illustrate the escalating violence and displacement of Native American communities. Listeners gain a nuanced understanding of this period, challenging conventional narratives and emphasizing the overlooked experiences of women and indigenous peoples.