A nice timeline of events that occurred from 1846 to 1849 in the California Gold Rush. Hyperlinks to additional information. From the Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco.

The Mexican-American War fulfilled James Polk's desire to acquire the territory of New Mexico and California from Mexico. See how the fight was provoked, and read about Stephen Kearny's actions in New Mexico and John Fremont's in...

A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which students explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"

From the memoirs of William Tecumseh Sherman you can read about his arrival in California during the Mexican War, his dealings with John Fremont, and the Bear Flag Revolt.

Discusses the conflict with Mexican American and Chinese groups as white settlers pushed westward in the nineteenth century. Explains what brought so many Chinese immigrants to America and the roadblocks and discrimination that they had...

Selected (12) reading passages (grades 6-11) to pair with "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. In this classic novel, Okonkwo, a wealthy and respected member of the Umuofia clan, resists the forces of change brought to Africa by...

This is a collection of 27 Grade-Leveled texts (4-12) on the topic Native American History. Before European settlers came to North America, millions of native people lived in many unique societies. Explore the history of Native Americans...

Throughout the 1800s, Americans pushed ever westward in the search of prosperity and the American dream. It was a time of growth and adventure for settlers, and loss for most American Indians. This collection includes 7 Grade-Leveled...

In the novel "Heart of Darkness," Marlow travels up the Congo River on behalf of a Belgian trading company. Once he is far upriver he encounters the mysterious Kurtz, a man who has set himself up as a god amongst the natives. Selected...

See how James Polk's plan to claim the Oregon Territory, which had been shared with Great Britain since 1818, led him to victory with the slogan, Fifty-four forty or fight. Read about the settlers who traveled the Oregon Trail and why...

In an book by Douglas S. Watson published in 1932, you can read the introduction which tells about the life of Johann August Sutter, who emigrated to California, built a mill where gold was found, and suffered for that discovery....

From the "Century" magazine, an article from 1890 by James Bidwell who came to California in 1841.

Students will make interactive outlines using the Internet of the reform movements, literature, trails, religion or technology of the early nineteenth century.

During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to experience the westward expansion through literature and the Internet. By creating a brochure and a slideshow presentation, students will become aware of the difficulties people...

Richard Caton Woodville's "War News From Mexico" is an example of an American genre painting. It depicts a group of people reacting to news about the Mexican-American War. View pictures of this painting and read the backstory in this essay.

A quick five question quiz over US history in the mid 1800s.

Quickly following Texan independence, the United States admitted Texas into the republic as a slave state.

The sources in this primary set uses documents, images, and music to reveal the story of Cherokee removal, which is part of a larger story known as the Trail of Tears. Includes teaching guide.

The sources in this primary set document Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan. Includes teaching guide.

Young scholars explore how the state of Texas was established. They will learn how Texas fought for independence from Mexico, the role of slavery in delaying Texas' admission, and how it was eventually incorporated into the Union.

Thomas Cole was best known for his landscape paintings which embodied the beauty and grandeur of the American wilderness during the first half of the nineteenth century. When viewed through the lens of nineteenth-century political...

Excerpts from the diaries of Wilfred Scawen Blunt, English writer who opposed British imperialism.

The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco displays the history of the Mexican-American War, including an explanation of border changes in the California and Mexico areas. It also discusses the idea of Manifest Destiny.

The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco displays the history of the Mexican-American War, including an explanation of border changes in the California and Mexico areas. It also discusses the idea of Manifest Destiny.