Go East, Young Man: Imagining the American West as the Orient
Richard V. Francaviglia, History
October 24, 2007

In the early 1500s, when Spanish explorers reached what is now the American Soutwest, they characterized its native peoples and landscapes as Middle Eastern. When Anglo Americans moved west three centuries later, they called the Indians “Arabs” or “Turks” and even considered the Mormons to be “Mohammedans” (or Muslims). Why the American west was “Orientalized” is the subject of this illustrated lecture about how prejudices and preconceptions affect cultural identity.



NOTE: Recorded in whole or in part without restrictions or limitation for any educational or promotional purpose which The University of Texas at Arlington, and those acting pursuant to its authority, deem appropriate.