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Primary
Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: The Diary of Johann August Sutter

For Students 9th - 10th
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....
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Primary
Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: California Before Gold Discovery

For Students 9th - 10th
From the "Century" magazine, an article from 1890 by James Bidwell who came to California in 1841.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Spice Up the Nineteenth Century!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will make interactive outlines using the Internet of the reform movements, literature, trails, religion or technology of the early nineteenth century.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a discussion of "Manifest Destiny" using a timeline of events from 1830 - 1860, and a biographical sketch of a real person who lived during that time period. During the discussion, students will use the biography to...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Settling the West: Westward Expansion

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
During this instructional activity, 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...
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Richard Caton Woodville, War News From Mexico

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: Quiz 1

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick five question quiz over US history in the mid 1800s.
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: Annexing Texas

For Students 9th - 10th
Quickly following Texan independence, the United States admitted Texas into the republic as a slave state.
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Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: Commodore Perry's Expedition to Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
The sources in this primary set document Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan. Includes teaching guide.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Annexation of Texas (1845)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students 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.
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Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Cole, the Oxbow

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Cyberbee

Manifest Destiny: Clash of Cultures

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A unit plan about the Manifest Destiny that includes an explanation of the term as well as additional resources.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Manifest Destiny

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief explanation of where the term "manifest destiny" came from, and a look at how the term meant different things to different segments of American society.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: Sacramento Was Gateway to Gold

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the growth and importance of Sacramento as a mining town in the California Gold Rush. From a larger site from the Sacramento Bee.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: Justice Wasn't Pretty but It Was Quick

For Students 9th - 10th
This CalGoldRush.com site contains information on justice and law in California during the gold rush. Many felons lost their lives at the end of a rope.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: Culture Took Hold Despite Tough Crowds

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource contains information on the development of culture in California during the gold rush. Culture developed in spite of the harsh conditions and tough people.
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Primary
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: Religion Reclaimed Souls

For Students 9th - 10th
This article, entitled "Religion Reclaimed Souls as Mining Expanded," contains information on the developement of religion in California during the gold rush.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: Boring Diet Gave Miners Appetite for Dining

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses the eating habits of many of the miners during the California gold rush.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: Rivals in the Newspaper Field

For Students 9th - 10th
This article from the Sacramento Bee discusses the rise of journalism during the California gold rush. Many journalists left their jobs and headed west to cover this great event.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: Indians' Misfortune Was Stamped in Gold

For Students 9th - 10th
This CalGoldRush site discussses the triumphs and hardships of Indians during the California gold rush. Some became rich, but many were sold into slavery.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: 'Real Women' Who Defied Stereotype

For Students 9th - 10th
This CalGoldRush.com site discusses the role of the women during the gold rush in California. They served in a variety of roles and many made more than miners. This page tells their stories.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: His Path Back to Japan Was Paved With Gold

For Students 9th - 10th
This CalGoldRush.com site discusses the life of Manjiro Nakahama, a Japanese immigrant who made enough money during the gold rush in California that he was able to return home to Japan.
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Handout
Sacramento Bee

Gold Rush: Some Found Riches, Many Found Themselves

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses how many miners never made it rich, but had an adventure of a lifetime during the California gold rush.