AZ History
Arizona history is presented in the following series of lectures by Hal Herbert. Click on "Click to View" for each lecture. These files are quite large and may take several seconds to download.
 | Arizona History Lectures - by Hal Herbert These items are PDF copies of the PowerPoint lectures offered at Eastern Arizona College, Hist 250, Arizona History. The text book is Thomas E. Sheridan's Arizona, A History, published by the University of Arizona Press. The class is designed to meet University of Arizona standards and is taught in conjunction with the Graham County Historical Society Museum. Students are required to use the Museum library and research facilities during the class. |
 | Lecture 01 - Geology, Geography, and Early Settlements in Arizona - by Hal Herbert This lecture is an introduction to the class and covers a survey of Arizona's geology, general geography, and the early areas of human population, both historic and pre-historic. |
 | Lecture 02 - Spanish and Mexican History of the American Southwest - by Hal Herbert This lecture introduces the initial impact of Europeans into northern Mexico and area that became the Arizona Territory. It is premised on the idea that to really appreciate Arizona History a serious student should study the history of Mexico. |
 | Lecture 03 - 04 The US-Mexican War 1846 - by Hal Herbert This lectures explores the causes and results of the War with Mexico in 1846. It emphasizes the impact the war had on the area in which we live. The second half of the lecture explores the first Boundary Survey that was proposed to separate the two countries. |
 | Lecture 05 - Early Settlers and the Law - by Hal Herbert Understanding the convoluted legal status of residents in the area that became known as the Gadsden Purchase is important to understanding social changes that impact citizens of Arizona even today. |
 | Lecture 06 - Military Conquest of Tribes in the Arizona Territory - by Hal Herbert After the Civil War it took a relatively short period of time for General Crook to subdue the militant tribes and coerce others to settle on reservations. But, because the civilian population had been challenged by many tribes, it took even longer for the military to get recognition for what they accomplished. |
 | Lecture 07 - Freighters aned Railroads - by Hal Herbert Transportation has always been a challenge for Arizonans. When roads were little more that paths and military thoroughfares, freighters were the men of the hour. When replaced by railroads, a wholesale change in attitude by the growing Anglo majority toward the Mexican minority was exacerbated. |
 | Lecture 08 - Territorial Government - by Hal Herbert This lecture uses the Wham Paymaster Robbery and subsequent trial as an example of the problems of the Arizona Territorial Government in respect to political appointments, political rivalries, division of political interests between northern and southern Arizona, and religious prejudices. |
 | Lecture 09 - Cattle - by Hal Herbert The importance of Cattle ranching and the cattle culture on Arizona history cannot be understated. Not only did ranching become a way of life, but it epitomized the growth of big business and the conflicts with environmentalists and others during the 1970s through the 1990s. |
 | Lecture 10 - Water, Cotton and the Regularization of State Government - by Hal Herbert The single greatest issue to affect Arizona history has been and is WATER. Its impact has helped form the type of government and the political battles still rampant in our state. This lecture will make that plight amply clear. |
 | Lecture 11 - Silver and Gold - by Hal Herbert The first great population growth in the Arizona Territory was because of the dreams of wealth born of legend and surface discoveries of silver and gold. Unfortunately, legend was stronger that actual wealth. |
 | Lecture 12 - Copper - by Hal Herbert The history of Graham County, like the history of Arizona, has largely been shaped by the impact of copper mining. Labor relations, race relations, the power of big business, and the relationship of business and government are all reflected in our history. |
 | Lecture 13 - Depression and the New Deal in Arizona 1929 - 1939 - by Hal Herbert The Great Depression had both the expected and unexpected results in Arizona. Because of that, the subtitle for this lecture is, "The Rise of Agribusiness and the end of the Open Range." |
 | Lecture 14 - World War II and the Post-war Boom - by Hal Herbert World War II was both a sadly traumatic and a raucously dynamic period for the state of Arizona. Boys were sent to both the European and Pacific Theaters of War while, business men were accumulating vast amounts of wealth on war industries, including copper and cotton. |
 | Lecture 15 - Promoting Arizona - by Hal Herbert Unlike most other states, Arizona has been in the business of promoting itself from our very beginning. The need for increased population and industrial wealth has driven a business of promotion. Originally, the state government paid for promotional copy, booklets, and books. Later on, it became a successful private enterprise with hybrids like Arizona Highways leading the way. |
 | Lecture 16 - Mid-Twentieth Century Rural Arizona Takes Shape - by Hal Herbert The history of rural Arizona is primarily the history of minorities. Native Americans, Mexicans, farm laborers, and copper miners. Their history is often tragic and seemingly hopeless. However, success has bred success, and there have been signs of great progress. Most will tell you, however, much is yet to be done. |
 | Lecture 17 - Predictions About Arizona - by Hal Herbert How accurate have past predictions been? We will find out together and then you can add your 2-cents worth. |