Introduction:
We're going to learn about a time when many people moved to the western
part of the U.S. This project will help you see why this happened and who was
involved.
Directions:
Research: Look up some basic facts about why people moved west. You
can use books, websites, or ask your teacher for help.
Your Project: Create a simple project with these parts:
What is Westward Expansion? Just a few sentences about people
moving west.
Manifest Destiny: What is it? Why did people believe in it?
Native Americans: How did moving west affect them?
Oregon Trail: This was a path many people used. Why was it
important?
Pictures and Drawings: Add some pictures or drawings to your project.
It can be of people, places, or things from that time.
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Where Did You Learn? Write down the names of the books or websites
you used.
Questions to Think About:
Why did some people want to move to the west?
How did Native Americans feel about this?
What was the Oregon Trail and why was it used?
3 answers
Why was moving west important for the development of the United States?
Manifest Destiny was the belief and ideology that prevailed during this time, suggesting that it was the American people's destiny and right to expand their territory from coast to coast. This belief was fueled by a sense of nationalism and a desire to spread American values and civilization across the continent. People believed that expansion would bring economic opportunities, promote democracy, and secure the nation's future.
The westward movement had a significant impact on Native American tribes who had long inhabited these lands. As more settlers arrived, Native Americans faced displacement, loss of resources, and conflicts over territory. Many tribes were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands, leading to significant loss of life and cultural disruption. The westward expansion had a devastating impact on Native American communities.
The Oregon Trail was a crucial route used by pioneers to travel to the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest. It was a 2,170-mile long trail beginning in Independence, Missouri and ending in Oregon City, Oregon. The route was vital for the settlers as it provided access to fertile lands, opportunities for trade, and a chance for a better life. However, the journey was challenging, with many facing hardships, disease, and dangerous encounters with Native American tribes along the way.
In terms of sources used for research, students can list the books or websites they consulted to gather information about Westward Expansion. Examples of sources could include textbooks, historical non-fiction books, reputable websites such as the National Park Service or Smithsonian's websites, or primary source documents from the time period.