Manifest Destiny
Writer John O'Sullivan wrote, "....... And that claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us."
From after the Revolutionary War to the end of the Civil War, America expanded in many ways. First, the United States began expanding geographically. Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. This doubled the size of our country. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the Corps of Discovery to explore this new territory. The idea of Manifest Destiny took hold - the idea that it was America's destiny to span from ocean to ocean and be filled with white settlers. This led to wars with the native populations and a resettlement program known as "The Trail of Tears." The Gold Rush of 1849 attracted many to settle in California. In order to encourage settlement between the East and California, the government began the Homestead Act, which gave land to settlers.
This was also an exciting time for technology. Besides the availability of new products, the Industrial Revolution created a new type of working system and a new social class. Interestingly, some of these products, such as the cotton gin, increased tensions between the northern and southern states, eventually leading to the Civil War. One of the most exciting events, the building of The Transcontinental Railroad happened which linked the country and brought an end to the pioneer trails and the Pony Express, leading to the emergence of modern America.
Meaning, it was the American settler's destiny to spread from ocean to ocean, creating a agrarian society. What made the West so attractive to settlers? How did this settlement affect the Native populations?
Performance Task 1.3 Analyze Historical Sources
2. Performance Task 4.1 - Analyze relationships between human and environmental systems. The Gold Rush -
Mexican American War reading.pdf3 - The Mexican American War
1.5 - Analyze outcomes as either change, continuity, or both
Did you know that the United States went to war with Mexico? In 1846, conflict arose between the settlers in Texas - which was under Mexican control.
Make a copy of the following assignment, answer the questions, and turn in to Slate.
Textbook access to the left.
4. The Transcontinental Railroad
1.1. Evaluate historical outcomes in context
Create a collage of 10 facts pertaining to the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Each fact needs to have a picture and an explanation. Focus on who build the railroad, pay, dangers, and most of all, its effects on westward settlement.
Complete this assignment on Google Slides
5. Performance Task 3.2 The Homestead Act -
3.2 - Apply geographic tools
Now that California is overrun with settlers with "gold fever," the United States needed to get settlers to fill in the "middle" of America. To entice people to build up this part of America, the government passed the Homestead Act giving each head of household 160 acres of land.
6 - The Trail of Tears
This assignment will help you gather information needed for your Manifest Destiny Performance Task. Keep your eye out for quotes that you could include in your final paper that shows how Native Americans were treated at this time.
Make a copy of the Trail of Tears assignment and turn in to Slate
7. Performance Task 3.1-
SS 3.1 Display and Explain spatial patterns.
8. Performance Task 1.1 - Manifest Destiny
1.1 - Evaluate historical outcomes in context
1.3 - Analyze historical sources
1.5- Analyze causes, effects, continuity and change
Was It America's Destiny to Span from Ocean to Ocean?
You will write a 5 paragraph essay based on the assignments you completed in Module 3.
Your body paragraphs need to address the following: Refer to the documents to support your claims.
1. Describe three factors that influenced Westward Migration? In other words, why did people want to move west? What made it easy (easier) for them to do so?
2. What were hardships that settlers faced as they settled in the West? Find a quote or other primary source to boost your writing.
3. How did westward migration affect the Native American population? Find a quote or other primary source to boost your claim.
Ok - So now, How to Write a Paper using your own words? Kids fall into the plagiarism trap because they do not know how to organize their thoughts. Let's take it step by step.
1. Put your name and other MLA info in the upper left hand corner. There is a poster in the classroom of all the parts of the heading you will need. Double space. Make sure your entire essay is double spaced, but do not put extra space between paragraphs.
2. Make up a title. Center it on the page.
3. Write an introduction. Include the following information: What was Manifest Destiny? When was the time frame? Refer to the American Progress painting. What did settlers want? How did it change America? Then, add your thesis: what were three things that helped Manifest Destiny happen?
Now. Look over the assignments you have completed in the Manifest Destiny module. What are three things that you covered in class that talked about things that made people move west? Pick three of your choice and those will be three body paragraphs.
Each body paragraph needs to address what the event was, how it helped America expand, and the hardships of each event. Be as thorough as you can. Add a primary/secondary source document to strengthen your paragraph. Be sure to add the in-text citation.
4. Write the conclusion. Once again, address how America changed because of all these events, but this time, contrast that with the experience of the Native Americans.
If you have any questions about any part of the writing process, please let me know.
Printable instructions below.