The document discusses the settling of the western frontier in both the United States and Canada in the 19th century. It describes how both countries sought to claim Indian lands and push Native Americans off their territories, believing they could be assimilated into farming and Christian lifestyles. While there was some violence as tribal peoples fought to protect their customs, Canada saw less conflict than the U.S. The document also mentions land disputes with Mexico and ongoing Indian violence in the 1860s U.S., as well as Alaska being purchased from Russia.