It began in mid-1897 when a ship docking in Seattle brought news of a gold strike in Bonanza Creek, Yukon. Like a virus, the hunger for gold infected the masses. Coastal towns, such as Victoria, became economic hives of activity as men scurried to procure mining licenses, supplies, and passage north to gold country. The video accompanies the miners during their sea voyage to Skagway and from there on up the formidable Chilkoot Pass to the their claims. It tells of the many hardships they had to endure: the cold, the unforgiving terrain, food shortages, greed and crime, and even the pitfalls of success. The video explains how mining methods changed during the short two-year period, with one-man claims giving way to much larger company operations. It also chronicles the welcome arrival of the railroad and the development of Dawson City as the hub of northern civilization. But, as quickly as it had started, the Klondike Gold Rush was over. In 1899, word of another strike had the would-be millionaires hurrying to Nome, Alaska, to seek their fortunes there.

      This video would provide an interesting supplement to related social studies units. Closed captioning for the hearing impaired is available through the use of a decoder.

Recommended.