Curated OER
Why Empire? Why War?
Tenth graders examine the purpose of territorial expansion. In this World History lesson plan, 10th graders analyze various articles on World War II. Students prepare arguments for and against territorial expansion.
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Contested Territories
This site highlights the westward expansion of settlers in North America and the effects this expansion had on Native Americans between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: A Short History of Wisconsin
This collection of five essays on the history of Wisconsin is not as short as its name might indicate. It spans from the prehistory times of First Peoples up to the present, highlighting key events and people, and supplemented by many...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Hudson River School
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Hudson River School.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
A collection that uses primary sources to explore the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Steam Engine: Transportation 19th Century
This collection uses primary sources to explore the steam engine and transportation in the nineteenth century.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Jacksonian Democracy?
A collection that uses primary sources to explore Jacksonian democracy.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Writing in u.s. History: The Louisiana Purchase
Explore the motivations for the Louisiana Purchase, as well as the terms of the purchase and its consequences. In this interactive lesson from WGBH, students develop a written argument in response to the question "Do you agree that the...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Manifest Destiny
This collection uses primary sources to explore the idea of Manifest Destiny and its influence.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Texas Revolution
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Texas Revolution.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears
This collection uses primary sources to explore Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Mormon Migration
This collection uses primary sources to explore Mormon migration.
Other
Gateway New Orleans: Louisiana Purchase
Read a description of the terms of the Louisiana Purchase. There is a map to show the land that was included in this deal.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: 1846: Portrait of a Nation
This site provides a glimpse into the United States in the year 1846. James Polk was president and the Westward Expansion was in full force. The site has nice historical photographs.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Gold in California
The gold rush in California accelerated the western migration of thousands of young American men, who streamed into California to find riches. See who else arrived in California and find out what they did. In addition, there is a map...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fort Necessity National Battlefield: The National Road
A discussion of the building of the National Road, its route, and importance to the opening of the West. From the National Park Service.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: William Mc Kinley: Foreign Affairs
A good description of the foreign policy of President Wiliam McKinley including infornation about the Spanish-American War, the Open Door policy, and the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: The Nation Expands: Mexican Cession, 1848
See a map of the land acquired by the United States as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, called the Mexican Cession. From Annenberg Media.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Louisiana Purchase
This Library of Congress timeline series discusses the Louisiana Purchase.
Other
Conner Prairie: Road Through the Wilderness: The Making of the National Road
Information on the building of the National Road and its historical significance.
PBS
Pbs: Virtual Field Trip: Creek Nation
This virtual experience provides students with an in-depth look at the lives of the Creek Indians prior to the arrival of the first settlers in Georgia in the 1830s. Included is a lesson plan and user guide.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Westward Expansion, 1790 1850
This interactive map explores the territorial and population changes in the United States between 1790 and 1850. It also covers the beginning of the transportation revolution and the Native American land cessions and forced removals.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: Westward Expansion & Manifest Destiny: Quiz (2)
Ten multiple choice question quiz is immediately scored and covers territorial expansion and the Manifest Destiny.