Manifest Destiny
Your journey to the West begins here. The 13 original colonies had grown in population and the desire for new land increases. Our country has started to expand with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. Expeditions have been sent out to explore the new land and families have been making the trek westward in search of new opportunities and wealth.
In the mid 1800's Americans were itching to expand their territorial land claims even more. The phrase, "Manifest destiny!" filled the air. The concept of Manifest Destiny is that it is our God given right to go out and explore the territories of the West and that God wanted us to spread out our boundaries. Along with that, increased nationalism and a desire to expand, created a drive in Americans to pack up their belongings and head West.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Homestead Act, the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail, and the Transcontinental Railroad were turning points, which changed life for thousands. People began moving west for land, gold, power, and wealth. Some
of the dreams were fulfilled, but often people left the West in despair. Intertwined with the events of this historical period are the Native Americans. Sometimes encounters between those moving West and the Native Americans were positive and at other times they were disastrous, often with White settlers taking over Native American territory.
(information from http://manifestdestinymagpaulmd.weebly.com/index.html and http://schools.nycenet.edu/offices/teachlearn/gifted/westwardexpansion_Final_Feb1006.pdf)
The United States, as we know it today, was largely formed on the concept of Manifest Destiny. You will be exploring how it impacted the development of America. You will discover why the concept of moving west was appealing to so many families. At the end of your research, you will have notes to use to debate your partner. One of you will take the stand for manifest destiny and the other will be opposed to it.
* See me for your packet of papers to use.
In the mid 1800's Americans were itching to expand their territorial land claims even more. The phrase, "Manifest destiny!" filled the air. The concept of Manifest Destiny is that it is our God given right to go out and explore the territories of the West and that God wanted us to spread out our boundaries. Along with that, increased nationalism and a desire to expand, created a drive in Americans to pack up their belongings and head West.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Homestead Act, the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail, and the Transcontinental Railroad were turning points, which changed life for thousands. People began moving west for land, gold, power, and wealth. Some
of the dreams were fulfilled, but often people left the West in despair. Intertwined with the events of this historical period are the Native Americans. Sometimes encounters between those moving West and the Native Americans were positive and at other times they were disastrous, often with White settlers taking over Native American territory.
(information from http://manifestdestinymagpaulmd.weebly.com/index.html and http://schools.nycenet.edu/offices/teachlearn/gifted/westwardexpansion_Final_Feb1006.pdf)
The United States, as we know it today, was largely formed on the concept of Manifest Destiny. You will be exploring how it impacted the development of America. You will discover why the concept of moving west was appealing to so many families. At the end of your research, you will have notes to use to debate your partner. One of you will take the stand for manifest destiny and the other will be opposed to it.
* See me for your packet of papers to use.
Watch the following 4 videos and use them to take notes for your presentation. You can also use the following sources:
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/essays/1801-1900/manifest-destiny/manifest-destiny---the-philosophy-that-created-a-nation.php
http://www.history.com/topics/manifest-destiny
Discovery Education
Destiny WebPath Express
NC WiseOwl Encyclopedias
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/essays/1801-1900/manifest-destiny/manifest-destiny---the-philosophy-that-created-a-nation.php
http://www.history.com/topics/manifest-destiny
Discovery Education
Destiny WebPath Express
NC WiseOwl Encyclopedias