The discovery of gold in Alaska set the stage for its later settlement by people from many places who came to seek their fortunes. Subsequent transportation of people and goods by water and overland are described, as well as the...

When the Spanish Crown (the monarchy) learned of the promise of wealth offered by vast continents that had been previously unknown to Europeans, they sent forces to colonize the land, convert the indigenous populations, and extract...

This 2-page article provides information about how Arizona became a new territory on February 24, 1863, and the corresponding silver and gold rush that encompassed the area.

A table listing the fifteen states and territories that became part of the Confederacy, along with their dates of secession ordinance passage and admission into the Confederate States of America. Each state name links to a transcription...

Read about the settling of Oregon country and how westward expansion prompted Congress to make it a territory.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A letter from Sara Makpah who lives in Canada to her pen pal living in New York City. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

This University of Michigan site provides the full text of "Kanzas and Nebraska," written by Edward Everett Hale. The book gives the history, geographical, and physical characteristics of these territories, as well as an account of the...

The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards historical documents, literary texts, and works of art thematically organized with notes and discussion questions....

America's Story features fun facts about Minnesota, such as how Minnesota's nickname and interesting places such as Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the world and important cultural happenings like the Spam Festival.

Named after Charles Goodnight, the Goodnight-Loving Trail spanned more than 2000 miles. Trace the history of the trail and the cattle drives that made their way across the dangerous territory in the 1800s.

A large and surprisingly accurate map from 1827 of the U.S. States and Territories at the time. Clearly shows borders of states and territories as known at the time.

A large map from 1796 of the U.S. States and Territories at the time.

A selection of twenty-four images from The History of the Indian Tribes of North America, each representing a different Native American Nation. Each image is accompanied by a brief description.

A brief look at the life of American explorer, Meriwether Lewis. Provides a historical map of the Oregon Territory, a portrait of Lewis, and a photograph from Little Belt Mountain.

Part of a longer time line describing the history of the American West, this section covers the period 1829 to 1859 with hyperlinks to stories and people of this time period.

An introductory summary of the Northwest Ordinance along with a picture of the original document and the text to the full document.

Henry Clay's speech in the Senate in support of the Compromise of 1850 and the importance of preserving the Union.

Read this fascinating information about Pope, the leader of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Learn how he was able to unite several tribes of Pueblo Indians who did not even speak the same language into a force that was able to push out the...

As Missouri became a state, America was divided by slavery. This site from the Library of Congress offers a description of the events, as well as a railroad map, a painting of the Missouri Squadron, and a bust of Henry Clay, designer of...

As Missouri became a state, America was divided by slavery. This site from the Library of Congress offers a description of the events, as well as a railroad map, a painting of the Missouri Squadron, and a bust of Henry Clay, designer of...

MercoPress is an "Independent news agency" concentrating on Mercosur (Common Market of the South) countries and includes in its area of influence the South Atlantic and insular territories. The particular site focuses on Paraguay, but...

MercoPress is an "Independent news agency" concentrating on Mercosur (Common Market of the South) countries and includes in its area of influence the South Atlantic and insular territories. The particular site focuses on Uruguay, but...

A map of Mexico in 1845, prior to the ceding of the northern territories to the United States in 1846. The map shows the territories of Oregon, Texas, and Central America under Mexican control, and the frontiers of the Missouri and...

A map of North America, Central America, and northern South America at the end of the American Revolutionary War (1783). The map is color-coded to show the territory of the United States at the time, British possessions in Canada,...