Curated OER
The People of Kansas: Where Did They Come From and Why Did They Come?
Pupils research and discuss the reasons why early settlers emigrated to Kansas. They, in groups, analyze census district reports from the 1850's and then identify the advantages and disadvantages of using this information as research.
Curated OER
Values and Beliefs of Manifest Destiny
Fourth graders examine the beliefs of Manifest Destiny and its role in the California Gold Rush. They analyze a painting to gather information about Manifest Destiny.
Curated OER
Cultural Lit. 19: Old Spanish Trail & Native Americans
Fifth graders name the American Indian people by tribe who lived in the lands which the Old Spanish Trail traversed. They investigate and describe some impacts of western expansion upon the American Indians.
Curated OER
Cultural Lit. 18: The Oregon Trail & Native Americans
Fifth graders name the American Indian people by tribe who lived in the lands which the Oregon Trail traversed. They investigate and describe some impacts of western expansion upon the American Indians.
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny
In these manifest destiny worksheets, students read the definition for manifest destiny and its appearance in America in the 1840s. Students learn about the Homestead Act and study a painting of a depiction of manifest destiny.
Curated OER
Las Vegas Mormon Fort
Young scholars use maps, readings, letters, photos and drawings to identify why Mormons came to the Las Vegas area and what they hoped to accomplish by establishing an outpost. They consider the roles of early women pioneers and outline...
Curated OER
The People of Kansas
Students investigate primary sources to experience first- hand accounts of Kansas pioneers. They write an historical fiction letter or skit based on territorial documents.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Gilded and Gritty: Empire: Manifest Destiny and Beyond
A collection of primary resources, timeline, questions for discussion, and links to supplementary materials on America's westward expansion and the response to shifting roles and policies at home and abroad.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: The Religious Origins of Manifest Destiny
Essay discussing Manifest Destiny and divine providence in westward expansion. Questions for student writing and discussion, scholars debate and links to related resources.
Oakland Museum of California
California's Untold Stories: Gold Fever
A comprehensive site that offers a look at the "Gold Fever" of the California Gold Rush, with photos.
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: The Crisis of the Union (1835 1860)
Teachers and students will enhance their lessons with the videos, lessons, and slideshows presented. This unit sets the stage for a nation expanding west following the Texas Revolution.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Expansion and War: The United States 1840 1860
Article on the era of westward expansion and the resulting Mexican American War. The author demonstrates how Manifest Destiny and frontier settlement led to the annexation of Texas and ultimately war with Mexico over the territory.
PBS
Pbs the West: The Nez Perce and the Dawes Act
This companion article from the PBS series, "New Perspectives on the West," offers a lesson plan which approaches the Dawes Act from the perspective of the Nez Perce.
PBS
Pbs: Prelude to War: Manifest Destiny
An introduction to Manifest Destiny - the period in American history covering continental expansion. In sharp contrast is Mexico's struggle to recover after gaining its freedom from the Spanish. Links and drop down menus provide detailed...
Other
Dmwv: The u.s. Mexican War: 1846 1848
Dedicated to the memory of U.S. veterans who fought in the U.S.-Mexican War, this website provides documents, images, maps, and FAQs.
Other
Teach Us History: Indian Removal
A lesson plan unit that looks at the efforts of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia between 1817 and 1827 to establish their own system of governance and to keep their lands from being ceded. Even though the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in...
Other
Humboldt Univ.: Political, Economic and Social Consequences of Manifest Destiny
An extensive look at the consequences of manifest destiny, with emphasis on six different topics for student discussions. These include the growth of a national market economy, the impact of drastic economic changes on American society,...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Spanish American War in the Philippines (1898)
After giving a general summary of the Spanish-American War in the Western Hemisphere, the course of the war as waged in the Philippines is explained. See how the Philippines was annexed to the United States.
Other
The Story of the Us Told in 141 Maps
This collection of United States maps includes a year-by-year. Beginning from the Declaration of Independence and extending to present-day, students will learn explore and interact with these maps that change year-by-year.
![Loc: Primary Source Set: Westward Expansion Teacher's Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/410042/large/bwluav9tywdpy2symdiwmduymc0ymjm1lwl2exnyai5qcgc.jpg?1589985000 "Loc: Primary Source Set: Westward Expansion Teacher's Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Library of Congress
Loc: Primary Source Set: Westward Expansion Teacher's Guide [Pdf]
As the United States expanded westward, many cultural groups came into contact with one another, such as Native American tribes, Chinese, and various Europeans. In this set of exercises, students use primary source documents to explore...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Polk
A comprehensive site examining James Polk's life before the presidency, his campaigns, domestic and foreign affairs, life after the presidency, and his family. From the left-hand toolbar, select links detailing his cabinet and staff...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Us History: Westward Expansion and Economic Growth
US History learning module on westward expansion and economic growth. Interactive multi-media resources, assignments, projects and assessment.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Conflict of Cultures: President Polk and the Taking of the West
Lesson and activity on conflict of cultures in which students study U.S. overtaking lands of Mexico and California and form policy on property rights and citizenship of conquered cultures. Activity guidelines, questions for discussion...
OpenStax
Open Stax: u.s. History: The Westward Spirit
From a chapter on America's expansion westward in a history textbook. This section looks at how Americans felt about westward expansion in the mid-1800s, and ways that the federal government promoted migration. Includes review questions.