US National Archives
Docsteach: The Settlement of the American West
Students will analyze primary sources with an eye for cause-and-effect relationships.They will identify the roles of government policy and technological improvements in the settlement of the West, and explain their impact on Native...
The White House
The White House: Presidents: Franklin Pierce
Details Franklin Pierce's career as the 14th President of the United States and his background information. A portrait is included.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: The Nation Expands: Mexican Cession, 1848
See a map of the land acquired by the United States as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, called the Mexican Cession. From Annenberg Media.
Read Works
Read Works: Westward Expansion the Erie Canal
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the building of the Erie Canal. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Westward Expansion the West, an American Symbol
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the recognition of American Authors in the 19th century. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Westward Expansion the California Gold Rush
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the discovery of gold along the West Coast. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Westward Expansion the Oregon Trail
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about traveling along the Oregon Trail during the Westward Expansion. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Westward Expansion the Pony Express
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Pony Express. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Westward Expansion the Story of the Alamo
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the battle at the Alamo. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Donner Party
This article recounts the tragic Donner Party, a wagon train bound for California in 1846 whose members resorted to cannibalism after getting stuck in the winter snow.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Arizona Became a New Territory
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: James K. Polk
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: Merica's Story: Oregon Territory
Read about the settling of Oregon country and how westward expansion prompted Congress to make it a territory.
Curated OER
National Park Service: California National Historic Trail
This site from the National Parks Service gives a brief history, and description of the California trail system which was used by settlers moving to California during the 1849 Gold Rush days.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Manifest Destiny
A look at the reasons for westward expansion, known as Manifest Destiny. Economic, religious, and cultural reasons pushed Americans from sea to shining sea.
![Wnet: Thirteen: Whose Land Is This? Conflict Between Native Americans & Settlers [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Wnet: Thirteen: Whose Land Is This? Conflict Between Native Americans & Settlers [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Whose Land Is This? Conflict Between Native Americans & Settlers [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" designed to provide insights into the causes of the conflict between Native Americans and new settlers pushing west. Students will examine official...
Kansas Historical Society
Beyond Lewis & Clark: The Army Explores the West
This website looks at military explorers from Lewis and Clark (1804) to George Custer (1874).
![U.s. Mint: We're Going on a Bison Hunt [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/249025-9f5e44d8a919bd8ec2d9ad8c543a3d75.jpg?1661243093 "U.s. Mint: We're Going on a Bison Hunt [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
US Mint
U.s. Mint: We're Going on a Bison Hunt [Pdf]
In this four-part lesson, examine the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's Expedition. Then take the students on a simulated bison hunt to understand the importance of the bison as a food and materials source in...
![U.s. Mint: Our Goal Pole [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/249027-a06b6e1b3a7aa5c8e4fc49293e940618.jpg?1661243094 "U.s. Mint: Our Goal Pole [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
US Mint
U.s. Mint: Our Goal Pole [Pdf]
In this four-part lesson, students will demonstate knowledge of the sequencing of events by studying the westward journey, use terms that indicate the sequence of events and demonstrate an understanding of certain historical figures in...
![U.s. Mint: Which Came First? [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/249028-fe9fd34e9fd91c5e0f661d831bfde2a1.jpg?1661243091 "U.s. Mint: Which Came First? [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
US Mint
U.s. Mint: Which Came First? [Pdf]
Introduce students to the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's Expedition. Then, using the tails side of the Keelboat Nickel as a guide, make a timeline of the westward journey.
![U.s. Mint: Let's Build a Map [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/249029-024660939f27fa1ea8589c5fba13f0e6.jpg?1661243095 "U.s. Mint: Let's Build a Map [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
US Mint
U.s. Mint: Let's Build a Map [Pdf]
In this four-part lesson, students study the map of the Louisiana Purchase and the trail of Lewis and Clark's Expedition. Then, build a classroom map displaying the events of the Westward Expansion.
![U.s Mint: Which Side Is Which [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/249033-ff1ff264a293b5ffb6c4bba64baec78d.jpg?1661243090 "U.s Mint: Which Side Is Which [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
US Mint
U.s Mint: Which Side Is Which [Pdf]
Introduce learners to the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's Expedition. Then take a look at the Peace Medal nickel and differentiate between heads and the tails sides. Finally, do a coin-flip activity, and record and analyze the...
Intel Corporation
Intel: Music of the Western Expansion
What was life like for a western pioneer? Young scholars take a journey through westward expansion using music to understand the experience of the pioneers. As they listen to lyrics and analyze the different types of music that was being...
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: American History: Oregon Trail
This site written by teachers provides lesson ideas and links to a number of topics related to the Oregon Trail.