Curated OER
Why Empire? Why War?
Tenth graders examine the purpose of territorial expansion. In this World History lesson, 10th graders analyze various articles on World War II. Students prepare arguments for and against territorial expansion.
Library of Congress
Loc: National Expansion and Reform 1815 1880
Follow the territorial and westward expansion of the newly formed United States. Learn about the thriving slave trade of that era and the spread of reform efforts across the country.
Other
Dmwv: The u.s. Mexican War: 1846 1848
Dedicated to the memory of U.S. veterans who fought in the U.S.-Mexican War, this website provides documents, images, maps, and FAQs.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Contested Territories
This site highlights the westward expansion of settlers in North America and the effects this expansion had on Native Americans between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
University of Oregon
Mapping History: American History
Interactive and animated maps and timelines of historical events and time periods in American history from pre-European times until post-World War II.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: A Short History of Wisconsin
This collection of five essays on the history of Wisconsin is not as short as its name might indicate. It spans from the prehistory times of First Peoples up to the present, highlighting key events and people, and supplemented by many...
US Department of State
Bureau of International Information Programs: History Outline: Sectionalism
Article reviews several conditions of American society that sowed the seeds of civil war, particularly slavery and sectional conflict.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Hudson River School
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Hudson River School.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
A collection that uses primary sources to explore the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Steam Engine: Transportation 19th Century
This collection uses primary sources to explore the steam engine and transportation in the nineteenth century.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Jacksonian Democracy?
A collection that uses primary sources to explore Jacksonian democracy.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Writing in u.s. History: The Louisiana Purchase
Explore the motivations for the Louisiana Purchase, as well as the terms of the purchase and its consequences. In this interactive lesson from WGBH, students develop a written argument in response to the question "Do you agree that the...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Manifest Destiny
This collection uses primary sources to explore the idea of Manifest Destiny and its influence.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Texas Revolution
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Texas Revolution.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears
This collection uses primary sources to explore Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Mormon Migration
This collection uses primary sources to explore Mormon migration.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: The Kansas Nebraska Act
Provides information on the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the consequences of its passing. From "The Civil War and Reconstruction" by Randall and McDonald.
Digital History
Digital History: The Mexican War
Read about the attempt by the United States to purchase land in the Southwest prior to the declaration of war between the two countries. Find out the causes of the war, and see that there was considerable opposition to the war in the...
Digital History
Digital History: Western Expansion: Conclusion
A good overview of the territorial expansion and its results that occurred in the United States over the first half of the 19th century.
Other
Gateway New Orleans: Louisiana Purchase
Read a description of the terms of the Louisiana Purchase. There is a map to show the land that was included in this deal.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: 1846: Portrait of a Nation
This site provides a glimpse into the United States in the year 1846. James Polk was president and the Westward Expansion was in full force. The site has nice historical photographs.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Gold in California
The gold rush in California accelerated the western migration of thousands of young American men, who streamed into California to find riches. See who else arrived in California and find out what they did. In addition, there is a map...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fort Necessity National Battlefield: The National Road
A discussion of the building of the National Road, its route, and importance to the opening of the West. From the National Park Service.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Knox Polk: Domestic Affairs
Read about the domestic policies of the Polk Administration.