“History, Fiction, and the Frontier: Watching The Last of the Mohicans Through an APUSH Lens”

In this episode of APUSH for ALL, the hosts analyze The Last of the Mohicans through a historical lens, unpacking the French and Indian War, Native diplomacy, and myths of frontier America. They explore how the film simplifies complex Indigenous alliances and perpetuates the “noble savage” trope. While it captures certain truths about colonial conflict, it also erases Native survival and resistance. The hosts emphasize using film as a springboard for critical thinking about race, empire, and historical memory—reminding students that history isn’t just what’s portrayed on screen, but what’s left out, and why that omission matters.