Unit 6 Westward Expansion

Roots/Causes of Manifest Destiny

• Student can explain the westward growth of the nation.

  • Louisiana Purchase

  • Manifest Destiny

• Student understands the:

  • construction of the Transcontinental Railroad (technological innovations that brought about economic growth)

  • effects of physical and human geographic factors such as weather, landforms, waterways, transportation, and communication on major historical events in the U.S.

  • positive and negative consequences of human modification of the physical environment of the U.S.

  • ways conflicts between people from various racial, ethnic, and religious groups were addressed

  • effects of scientific discoveries and technological innovations that have influenced daily life in this period of U.S. history

Factors Contributing to Settlement

• Student can explain how the physical characteristics of the environment influenced the U.S. during the 19th century.

  • population distribution

  • settlement patterns

  • economic activities

• Student understands the:

  • construction of the Transcontinental Railroad (technological innovations that brought about economic growth)

Conflicts Arising from Westward Expansion

• Student can explain the causes of the U.S.-Mexican War.

• Student can explain the effects of the U.S.-Mexican War and their impact on the United States.

• Student understands the:

  • impact of slavery on different sections of the U.S.

  • Henry David Thoreau's refusal to pay a tax (as an example of civil disobedience)