Calisphere: University of California Libraries
University of California: Calisphere: 1870 1900: Everyday Life and People
Primary source photos depicting what life was like out west and in California in the late 19th century.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Lost in the Grand Canyon
The site of the PBS documentary "Lost in the Grand Canyon," features the story of John Wesley Powell and his famed trip down the Colorado River.
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
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....
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness to History: The Old West
This resource provides first-hand accounts and background information on the Old West. Content touches on crossing the plains, cowboys, train robberies, Dalton Gang's Last Raid, Custer's Last Stand, the Death of Billy the Kid, and much...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Taming the American West
Comprehensive teaching unit that explores the settling of the American West in the late 1800s and the challenges these settlers faced. Contains video and text materials, web interactives, student oriented activities, and a timeline of...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Whose Land Is This? Webisode 8
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.
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: Pioneer Children: Games, Toys, and Recreation
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.
The Newberry Library
Newberry Library: Imagining the American West in the Late Nineteenth Century
Learning modules with primary resources explores how the West has been imagined as both America's manifest destiny and a wild frontier and examines the ways American Indian art and literature challenge these popular narratives.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Our America: Western Expansion
Reviews of children's literature, student activities, and interactive games from Scholastic that enrich a student's understanding and appreciation of western expansion before the Civil War.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Journeys West
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?"
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Orphan Trains
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.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1865 1898: Quiz 1
A five-question quiz mainly over westward expansion in the late 1800s.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1865 1898: Westward Expansion: Economic Development
A quick comprehension check over economic development during Westward Expansion.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: Post Civil War Westward Expansion: Quiz (1)
10-question multiple choice quiz is self scored and tests your comprehension of westward expansion in America in the late 19th century.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: Post Civil War Westward Expansion: Quiz (2)
10-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and assesses your knowledge of westward expansion in the late 19th century.
Other
Kansas Collection Articles: Orphan Trains of Kansas
This site, presented by The Kansas Collection, provides insight into the westward expansion of orphan children from New York City. The page houses links to stories, newspaper articles, history, and graphics associated with the Orphan...
Ducksters
Ducksters: History: Daily Life on the Frontier for Kids
Kids learn about the daily life on the frontier of the Old West. This site explores how pioneers and settlers lived.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Urban Growth and Westward Expansion
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart covers the rise in population in American cities in the late 1800's and westward expansion.