Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Cause and Effect With Us History

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] What is cause and effect? This flipchart explains cause and effect with simple examples leading to more in-depth examples in US history from the Industrial Revolution, immigration, and Westward expansion.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Diplomatic Challenges in an Age of European War

For Students 5th - 8th
Both the British and French challenged American sovereignty and neutrality on the high seas. Read about the solution favored by Thomas Jefferson, but despised by the American shippers. See why this a cause of the War of 1812, along with...
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Manifest Destiny

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection uses primary sources to explore the idea of Manifest Destiny and its influence.
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Homestead Acts

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Homestead Acts.
Interactive
Other

Mission Us: Mission 3: A Cheyenne Odyssey

For Students 3rd - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Online game where players become Little Fox, a Northern Cheyenne boy whose life is changed by the encroachment of white settlers, railroads, and U.S. military expeditions. As buffalo diminish and the...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will learn about the ideology of Manifest Destiny and how it affected different populations and demographics of the U.S. during its expansion.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Exploration: Lewis and Clark

For Students 5th - 8th
A very brief overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition, focusing on the beginning and western terminus of the trip.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Expanding Republic and the War of 1812

For Students 5th - 8th
A brief overview of the Jeffersonian Era up through the War of 1812.
Handout
Other

The Great Plains in Midwestern Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the history of the people on the Great Plains, both the Native Americans and early settlers.
Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: The Four Great Surveys of the West

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides historic images of the expanding frontier taken by military and private citizens from 1861-1912.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: James K. Polk

For Students 3rd - 5th
James K. Polk was the "dark horse" candidate in the presidential election. To learn more about this president, the Library of Congress has a site complete with actual cartoons of the time.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Native Americans and the Last Battles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart covers the history of the conflict between the US government and Native Americans on the Great Plains in the late 1800's.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Loss of American Indian Life and Culture

For Students 11th - 12th
Read this section from a chapter on "Westward Expansion" to learn about the methods that the U.S. government used to address the "Indian threat" during the settlement of the West and explain the process of "Americanization" as it applied...
Unit Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Whose Land Is This? Webisode 8

For Students 9th - 10th
From Joy Hakim's marvelous set of books, A History of US, this webisode offers narrative, pictures, and teaching guides for the settling of the West after the Civil War.
Website
PBS

Pbs the West: The Grandest Enterprise Under God

For Students 9th - 10th
The critically acclaimed PBS series, "The West," depicts the coming of the railroad throughout the west and the consequences of the settling of the west.
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Thomas Benton

For Students 9th - 10th
Thomas Hart Benton (3/14/1784 - 4/10/1858) was a U.S. Senator from Missouri and a staunch advocate of westward expansion of the United States. He served in the Senate from 1821 to 1851, becoming the first member of that body to serve...
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Thomas Hart Benton

For Students 9th - 10th
Thomas Hart Benton nicknamed "Old Bullion" (March 14, 1782 - April 10, 1858), was a U.S. Senator from Missouri and a staunch advocate of westward expansion of the United States.