Based on the theory that because the King had given the colonists so many freedoms, and he had problems on the home-front, the colonists' will was strengthened. This contributed to the Revolution. There are links to Virginia's First...

This site provides an explanation of the influence of the frontier on the landed gentry and the role of education in the society.

At this site from the Library of Congress, you can listen to an 82-year-old Virginia fiddler, Henry Reed, playing tunes recorded in the 1960's. Many of the tunes have been transcribed and the notation can be viewed on line as well. The...

This article deals with a variety of topics related to the Prairie biome. Topics covered include More than Just Waving Grass, Birds of a Feather, Bison: From Abundance to Absence, and more.

This is a lesson plan on the environmental aspects of economic development. Focusing on Brazil, the lesson takes students through the pros and cons associated with development and how multiple players are involved.

Article explores the domestic policies of the Kennedy administration with a focus on civil rights.

A site telling of the trains during the late 1800s that took orphans and unwanted children from the cities and transported them to the West to work on farms and hopefully be adopted.

Biographical summary of the life and career of William Glackens, American frontier painter and politician known as "the Missouri Artist."

This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....

In this lesson, 11th graders examine the events and political philosophy that laid the foundations of the American government, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also look at what role religion played in shaping American...

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.

Original photos and images highlighting the impact that the Transcontinental Railroad had on the lives and perspectives of Americans and Native Americans.

Charles Goodnight (1836-1929) was one of the most prosperous cattleman of the American West. Read a thorough biography about him here at this site.

A 14-instructional activity, 169-page unit on the economic history of Texas. Lessons cover the free enterprise system, the economic patterns and motivations of Native Americans and various immigrant groups, the impact of the closing of...

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, young scholars use primary source documents to...

This site discusses the cultural icon of the western "outlaw" in the context of the state of Utah.

Comparing and contrasting are skills that are utilized in this lesson plan. Teacher resources and detailed activities will help the students learn about the schools in early America.

The purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862 was to shape the future of the Western regions of the United States by taming the region by populating the area with farmers. This article provides an overview of this important political incident...

Detailed facts and information about the 1854 Ostend Manifesto that planned for the annexation of Cuba from Spain.

Shawnee Indian political leader and war chief Tecumseh (1768-1813) came of age amid the border warfare that ravaged the Ohio Valley in the late 18th century. He took part in a series of raids of Kentucky and Tennessee frontier...

Explore the work of forensic scientists by inferring an individual's height from the length of certain long bones. Create bone/height relation charts and measure length using metric units. This activity was created to be used with the...

A map of the North American Colonies in 1643 at the establishment of the New England Confederation. The map is color-coded to show the territorial claims of the British, French, Dutch, and Swedish at the time, and shows the British...

Learn about the lives of pioneer children whose families moved to Nebraska during the period of Western Expansion. Topics include toys, games and other activities for enjoyment.

This Teaching with Historic Places lesson effectively depicts the life of a pioneer woman and ways in which the Homestead Act impacted her life. The site includes lesson plans, inquiry questions, and photos that may be used in covering...