K20 LEARN
Manifest Destiny: U.S. Territorial Expansion
A close examination of John Gast's painting "American Progress" launches a study of the concept of Manifest Destiny used to justify United States' policy of westward expansion. Young historians read statements from persons with different...
Curated OER
Louisiana Purchase
Students explore U.S. territorial expansion. In this Louisiana Purchase lesson, students investigate how the purchase was funded and determine how diplomatic actions were part of the land transfer. Students analyze several primary...
Library of Congress
The Alaska Purchase: Debating the Sale from Russian and U.S. Perspectives
Seward's Folly or brilliant strategic move? Class members investigate primary source documents from each country to determine the rationales behind the sale and purchase of Alaska, and then stage a debate.
Curated OER
War of 1812 in the Old Northwest Territory
Students write 1-4 sentence answers to the Time Travel worksheet (available online). They design period costumes, orally present their perspectives to the rest of the class, and explain why this war played an important role in the...
Curated OER
Westward Movement: Expansion or Encroachment?
Sixth graders create a portfolio of pictures and research primary resources to investigate if westward expansion was justified. In this westward expansion lesson plan, 6th graders discuss the effect the expansion had on Native American...
Curated OER
Imperialism and Expansion: Part 1
Students explore the era of imperialism and expansion of the United States. In this American history lesson, students play a game regarding the U.S. attempts to expand the nation in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: U.S. Missile Shield
For this U.S. missile shield worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions,...
Curated OER
Westward Expansion & Manifest Destiny (5)
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 12 matching questions regarding Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny. Students may check their answers immediately.
Curated OER
Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States 1846-48
Learners investigate how the United States acquired land after the Revolutionary War ended. In this establishing borders lesson, students use maps to identify territories acquired by the US and the states that later developed. Learners...
Curated OER
Westmoreland Trail
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the Westward expansion of the U.S. They play the computer game, Oregon Trail III, read primary source documents, conduct Internet research, write diary entries from the pioneer viewpoint, and...
Curated OER
Heritage: Famous People of the West
Fourth graders investigate the impact of Brigham Young and Jim Bridger on westward expansion. They conduct research, develop a class information chart, and create a cartoon strip depicting what happened when Jim Bridger and Brigham Young...
Curated OER
Overland Trails To The West
Consider the political, physical, and geographical factors that led to and marked the Westward Expansion. Learners will track the various routes developed during the 1800's. They create a first person journal describing what they see,...
Curated OER
The Trial of Standing Bear
Learners investigate the story of Standing Bear and his people as they defied the U.S. Governemt and returned to their homes in Omaha. Their arrest was followed by a trial which the Ponca people won.
Museum of Tolerance
The Pursuit of Democracy and Diversity: The Trial of Pro-Social Injustice in Historical Documents and Accounts
Class members investigate The Indian Removal Act of 1830, U.S. Theft of Mexican Territory Timeline, and President Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Horace Greeley, 1862, and then conduct a mock trial of each of these documents to determine...
Curated OER
Exploring Pioneer America
Fourth graders research pioneers who had a strong influence on westward expansion. In this westward expansion lesson, 4th graders write an essay about four pioneers and an interview script about one. Students work in pairs to present...
Curated OER
Establishing Borders: U.S. Expansion
Young scholars interpret historical maps and locate territories annexed by the United States in the 1840. In groups, they research the war with Mexico over Texas from both perspectives and answer on a worksheet about expansion.
Curated OER
Photography and the National Park Service
During the 1800s the United States was expanding westward; land was there for the taking. Kids explore how some early photographers used their photography to influenced the US Congress to save areas like Mirror Lake. They complete a...
Curated OER
"Go West, Young Man!"
Young scholars examine reasons why people migrated west. They describe how the geography of the U.S. changed in the 19 th century and design a PowerPoint presentation to convey factors for westward expansion.
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny Questions
In this Westward Expansion worksheet, students respond to 7 short answer questions about America's vision of Manifest Destiny and its effects.
Curated OER
East Meets West: Americans on the Move
Young scholars examine the settlement of the Louisiana Territory. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "East Meets West: Americans on the Move". Young scholars conduct further research...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny Lesson Plan
Learners examine how Americans justified Westward Expansion. In this American history lesson, your historians will watch a Manifest Destiny Powerpoint presentation and discuss each slide then participate in a class discussion about...
Curated OER
This Land is Your Land? This Land is My Land!
Students research the various territory acquisitions in United States history and create an annotated map that tells the history of U.S. expansion. Working in small groups, students outline the land acquisitions and purchases made by...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny
In this United States history worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions pertaining to Manifest Destiny. A short answer question is included as well.
Curated OER
Frontier Forts
Seventh graders study frontier forts. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders research the history and conditions of Fort Leavenworth, Fort Scott, Fort Riley, Fort Larned, and Fort Hays. Students write letters from the perspective of...