Research: Look into the time when the U.S. was expanding westward.
Find out about the main events, important people, and reasons for this
movement.
Create Your Portfolio: Your portfolio should have these sections:
Overview: What is Westward Expansion? Why is it important in U.S.
history?
Manifest Destiny: What is Manifest Destiny? How did it encourage
people to move west?
Native Americans: How were Native American communities
affected? What problems did they face?
Oregon Trail: What is the Oregon Trail? Why was it important for
people moving west?
Money Matters: Why did people think moving west would help
them make money? Think about businesses, trade, and new
opportunities.
Politics: How did moving west change politics in the U.S.? Think
about new states joining and the debates about free and slave
states.
Use Different Sources: Find information from books, old documents,
and trusted websites. This will make your research strong.
Make It Look Good: Organize your portfolio neatly. Use headings,
pictures, maps, and charts to make it interesting.
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Give Credit: Always mention where you got your information from. This
can be in styles like MLA or APA.
Questions to Answer in Your Portfolio:
Why did people want to move west? How did the idea of Manifest
Destiny push them?
How were Native Americans affected by this movement? Were there any
big problems between them and the newcomers?
How did the Oregon Trail help people move west? Why was it so
important?
Why did some people think moving west would make them rich?
How did moving west change U.S. politics? Think about new states and
the debates about free and slave states.
What can we learn from this time in history? How does it help us
understand things happening today?
Overview:
Westward Expansion refers to the period in U.S. history from the early 1800s to the late 1800s when the United States pushed its boundaries westward. This expansion had a significant impact on the development of the country, shaping its economy, culture, and political landscape.
Manifest Destiny:
Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was the destiny and duty of the United States to expand westward across the continent. This idea was rooted in the belief of American exceptionalism, that the United States was superior and had the right to claim new territories. Manifest Destiny encouraged people to move west by promising opportunities, land ownership, and a chance to spread American values and institutions.
Native Americans:
Native American communities were greatly affected by westward expansion. As settlers moved west, Native Americans were pushed off their traditional lands, resulting in loss of territory, resources, and way of life. They faced forced relocation, conflicts, and treaties that often resulted in broken promises. The increased settlement and disregard for Native American rights led to the loss of their culture, forced assimilation, and diminished Native American communities.
Oregon Trail:
The Oregon Trail was a 2,170-mile route used by pioneers to travel from the eastern part of the United States to the Oregon Territory in the West. It was an important pathway for people moving west as it provided a relatively accessible route through the Rocky Mountains. The journey on the Oregon Trail was treacherous and challenging, but it allowed settlers to reach the fertile lands of the West and establish new communities.
Money Matters:
Moving west offered people various opportunities to make money. The expansion of the West provided land for farming and opportunities for agriculture, allowing individuals to grow crops and establish profitable farms. Additionally, the discovery of gold and other valuable resources in the western territories attracted miners and entrepreneurs seeking economic gain. The establishment of new businesses, trade routes, and the opening of new markets also contributed to the economic prospects of moving west.
Politics:
The movement westward had a significant impact on U.S. politics. As new territories were acquired and settled, the question emerged about whether these new states would be free or slave states. The issue of slavery became a divisive topic, resulting in heated debates in Congress and ultimately leading to the American Civil War. The addition of new states also led to the expansion of democratic ideals and a reconfiguration of political power in the country.
Lessons from History:
The period of westward expansion teaches us the importance of understanding the consequences of expansion and recognizing the impacts on native populations. It highlights the conflicts that arise from competing interests and the need for careful consideration of the rights and welfare of all individuals affected by expansion. Moreover, it serves as a reminder of the complex and ongoing process of nation-building and the continuous need to address issues of social justice and equality.