Unit Overview: In many ways, this is the most important Unit of the year. We examine everything from Mountain Men to Harriet Tubman, Meriwether Lewis to John Brown, and everything in between. We start out with the Corps of Discovery that then leads nicely into Native America, Andrew Jackson and Indian Removal, pausing briefly to explore the War of 1812. We then discuss the legendary story of Texas, the Mexican-American War, California Gold Rush and finally end with the myriad differences between the northern and southern states. This final piece is important; without "front-loading" and setting the stage for conflict, the next Unit (the Civil War) is meaningless...

Big Questions:

1. -How does connecting people, events and ideas help us interpret history?
2. -What intended and unintended consequences arose as a result of expansion?
3. -Was westward expansion "Manifest Destiny" or conquest?
4. -What opportunities and problems arise when countries expand?

Often-used Resources:

• -Davidson, Stoff; The American Nation: Prentice Hall (2003)
• -Hakim; A History of Us, Liberty for All? 1820-1860: Oxford Univ Press (2005)
• -Lewis and Clark, http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark
• -Unites States History Atlas, Prentice Hall (2001)
• -Ambrose, Stephen, Undaunted Courage: Simon and Shuster (1996)