+
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: u.s. History: Independence for Texas

For Students 9th - 10th
From a chapter on America's expansion westward in a history textbook. This section looks at Texas's struggle for independence from Mexico, and the relations between Mexico and Texas prior to and after independence. Includes review...
+
eBook
Other

Hillcrest High School: Us History: Expansion in Texas [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This chapter covers a time in Texas history during the mid-nineteenth century when Mexico offered land grants to American settlers, but conflict developed over religion and other cultural differences.
+
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Stories of the Westward Expansion: Exodus to Freedom

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains an article written on the African American exodus to Kansas to farm in the late 19th century.
+
Primary
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Truman Doctrine

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a copy of a speech given in 1947 that describes US intent in stopping the spread of communism. It outlines threats to communist expansion into Greece and Turkey, and the US response to such a threat. This is a great primary...
+
Unit Plan
C-SPAN

C Span Classroom: Teaching About Keystone Xl Pipeline

For Students 9th - 10th
Learning materials from which students read and watch videos for and against the proposed expansion of the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline and then debate the issue in classroom deliberations. Site includes video, lesson plans,...
+
Handout
Curated OER

National Park Service: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska

For Students 9th - 10th
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve offers information about its expansive wilderness. Here you can find park maps and visitor information, as well as information on the park's geology. A "teacher feature" includes educational...
+
Website
Agriculture in the Classroom

U.s. Department of Agriculture: Agriculture in the Classroom

For Students 9th - 10th
Information about agriculture and agricultural practice in America. You can explore specific states or issues that are national in scope. The "Growing a Nation" page helps you understand the role of the American farm in westward expansion.
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Popular Sovereignty

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the concept of popular sovereignty in relation to issue of expansion of slavery in the territories. It was not as simple as it seemed. Find out about how the issue of slavery was addressed in the election of 1848. Included is...
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Wilmot's Proviso

For Students 5th - 8th
Congressman David Wilmot, even before the end of the Mexican-War, proposed legislation that would outlaw the expansion of slavery into the new territory, should the United States acquire it. Read about his reasons for proposing the...
+
Study Guide
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Manifest Destiny

For Students 9th - 10th
This Khan Academy resource provides notes for American History. "Manifest Destiny" is explained on this resource, along with the implications associated with expansion of the North American continent.
+
eBook
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: The Kansas Nebraska Act and Party Realignment

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Passed in 1854, it reopened the debate over the expansion of slavery in the United States.
+
Graphic
Curated OER

Etc: Maps Etc: United States Expansion and the Railroads, 1880

For Students 9th - 10th
A map of the United States and territories showing the expansion from the formation of the original states to 1880, and the railroad network in 1880. The map is color-coded to show the original states, the states admitted between 1791...
+
Graphic
Curated OER

Etc: Maps Etc: The Expansion Resulting From the Louisiana Purchase, 1803

For Students 9th - 10th
A base map showing the expansion of the United States resulting from the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
+
Unit Plan
Nebraska Studies

Nebraska Studies: High Falutin' Beef

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an impressive history of the introduction of beef to the Great Plains region complete with videos, photos, and lesson plans.
+
Website
Other

At Home in the Heartland: At Home on the Fringes of the Prairie (1800 1850)

For Students 3rd - 5th
Interactive site offers information and pictures pertaining to early pioneer life. See advertisements in the paper, furniture, glassware, and food preparation tools. Read stories of individuals who lived during that time and make...
+
Handout
Ohio History Central

Ohio History Central: Free Soil Party

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of the platform and beliefs of the Free Soil Party which opposed expansion of slavery into US territories.
+
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Early American Trade in China: The Sea Man's Vade Mecum, 1707 [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The following is excerpted from a book called Vade Mecum published in France in 1707. Although the book was written to establish basic standards of behavior, punishment, protocol, and procedure on French naval ships, it served as...
+
Website
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum: Marshall Plan

For Students 9th - 10th
Excerpts from an interview with George C. Marshall concerning the Marshall Plan. Questions are also supplied to assist in expansion of knowledge about the topics.
+
Primary
Patrick McSherry

Spanish American War Centennial: Letter From Private Harold Booth: First New York Volunteer Infantry

For Students 9th - 10th
Copy of a letter from Private Harold Booth, 1st New York Volunteer Infantry, dated September 10, 1898 from Honolulu, Hawaii. Booth was stationed at Camp McKinley, the first US military post in the Hawaiian Islands.
+
Unit Plan
Tom Richey

Tom Richey: The Rise of Islam: C. 600 1453 a.d.

For Students 9th - 10th
Unit on the Rise of Islam created by AP History teacher, Tom Richey, engages us in the hisotry of Islam and includes E-lecture, videos, lesson guide and primary source material.
+
Lesson Plan
Louisiana Department of Education

Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: English Language Arts, Grade 12: Undaunted Courage

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Students explore ideas prominent throughout westward expansion and American literature: myth versus reality. The texts present various perspectives of the West. Students consider the idealism and romance of the American spirit versus the...
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Seeking Empire

For Students 5th - 8th
A brief overview of the idea of expansion of the United States overseas in the last part of the 19th century and the early 20th century.
+
Handout
Curated OER

National Park Service: Fort Necessity National Battlefield: The National Road

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of the building of the National Road, its route, and importance to the opening of the West. From the National Park Service.
+
Activity
Curated OER

National Park Service: Fort Scott National Historic Site: The Mexican War

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a very brief overview of the Mexican War, organized into the following sections: "Zachary Taylor's Army," "The Army of the West," and "Invasion of Mexico City." Includes links to related articles and websites.

Other popular searches