WS/FCS
Unit Planning Organizer
Subject(s)
Social Studies
Grade/Course American History 1
Unit of Study Unit 5: Westward Expansion (3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.4,
Unit Title
Pacing
7.3, 8.2, 8.3)
“Manifest Destiny”
13 days
Conceptual Lenses
•
•
•
•
Expansion
Migration
Immigration
“American Dream”
Unit Overview
The fifth unit of American History 1 examines the growth of the United States as a result of Manifest
Destiny and immigration through the lenses of expansion, migration, immigration, and the “American
Dream”.
Manifest Destiny
Between 1803 and 1848 the United States expanded west beyond the Mississippi River providing
opportunities for the pursuit of the “American Dream”; however, it also revealed growing sectional
differences sparked by the potential westward extension of slavery. Although people had begun to
move west even from the early years of European settlement in America and during the early years of
the Republic, the era of westward expansion began in earnest in the early to mid-19th century. In
1803, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and opened a vast new territory
for settlement, which was explored by Lewis and Clark.
Over the next several decades, the United States, spurred on by “Manifest Destiny”, continued to
expand its land holdings. Through various treaties and negotiations, the United States successfully
gained all territories making up the contiguous United States by 1853. The U.S. government
encouraged settlement on these newly acquired territories by passing certain policies, like the
Homestead Act. Unfortunately, American settlement of the West, as well as a growing population in
the East, meant further discrimination towards American Indians. The passing of the Indian Removal
Act and the creation of reservations greatly affected the culture of American Indians.
Conflict as a Result of Manifest Destiny
Expansion of the United States did not come without conflict. The annexation of Texas would lead to
a border dispute between the United States and Mexico. The dispute would result in a controversial
war with Mexico and the addition of new territory. The acquisition of new territories led to debates and
compromises over the expansion of slavery. As a result, sectional tensions increased.
Western Migration Causes and Effects
Beginning in the 1840s, thousands of pioneers took a risk and migrated west looking for freedom and
opportunity; the epitome of the “American Dream”. Despite the diverse backgrounds of westward
settlers, the rustic living of the west required a lot of adaptation and perseverance, which resulted in a
unique western identity.
Northern and Midwestern Immigration Causes and Effects
As westward settlers migrate to their new home front, thousands of European, particularly Irish and
German, and Asian, predominately Chinese, immigrants begin to migrate to the United States. New
technologies and innovations spurred the growth of industry in the North and Midwest. Opportunity
and freedom beckoned immigrants to the United States, where they worked at attaining their
“American Dream”. While some immigrants settled in the West seeking fortunes in gold or finding
work building the railroad, others settled in the East and Midwest, establishing distinct ethnic
neighborhoods. They brought with them their cultural beliefs and traditions, which further shaped the
cultural identity of the United States. Unfortunately, not everyone was pleased with the spike in
immigration and nativist attitudes grew, which resulted in political and economic discrimination of
immigrants.
The United States grew in size and population as a result of Manifest Destiny. One would think this
would help in developing a sense of patriotism and unity. But, the debate over immigration and the
expansion of slavery into the new territories would only further the sectional tension within the
country.
Unit Enduring Understanding(s)
1. Expansion of a nation’s territory can have
positive and negative effects.
2. Nations often create policies to promote
migration.
3. People will migrate or immigrate to new
areas to improve their quality of life.
4. Migration and immigration can lead to
cultural diffusion and conflict.
5. The pursuit of the American Dream can
have varying outcomes.
Unit Essential Question(s)
1. Why can territorial expansion have positive
and negative outcomes for a country?
2. Why would a nation develop policies to
promote migration?
3. Why are people willing to risk their lives to
migrate or immigrate to new areas?
4. How can migration and immigration affect
the culture of a nation or region?
5. Why does the pursuit of the “American
Dream” have varying outcomes?
Essential State Standards
Priority Objectives
Supporting Objectives
AH1.H.3.2 Explain how environmental , cultural,
and economic factors influenced the patterns of
migration and settlement wit hin the U.S. before
the Civil W ar.
AH1.H.4.1 Analyze the political issues and
conflicts that impacted the United States through
Reconstruction and the compromises that
resulted.
AH1.H.3.3 Explain the roles of various racial and
ethnic groups in settlement and expansion
through Reconstruction and the consequences
for those groups.
AH1.H.4.2 Analyze the economic issues and
conflicts that impacted the United States through
Reconstruction and the compromises that
resulted.
AH1.H.3.4 Analyze voluntary and involuntary
immigration trends through Reconstruction in
terms of causes, regions of origin and destination,
cultural contributions, and public and
governmental response.
AH1.H.5.2 Explai n how judicial, legislative and
executi ve actions have affected the distribution o
f power between levels of government from
colonization through Reconstruction.
AH1.H.4.4 Analyze the cultural conflicts that
impacted the United States through
Reconstruction and the compromises that
resulted.
AH1.H.7.3 Explain the impact of wars on
American society and culture through
Reconstruction.
AH1.H.8.2 Explain how opportunity and mobility
impacted various groups within American society
through Reconstruction.
AH1.H.8.3 Evaluate the extent to which a variety
of groups and i ndividuals have had opportunity to
attain their perception of the “American Dream”.
*Standards 1 (historical thinking) and 2
(turning points) are included in every unit.
AH1.H.6.1 Explain how economic and political
interests helped set the direction of United States
foreign policy from independence through
Reconstruction.
AH1.H.6.2 Explain the reasons for involvement
in wars prior to Reconstruction and the influence
each involvement had on int ernational affairs.
AH1.H.7.2 Explain the impact of wars on the
American economy through Reconstruction.
AH1.H.8.1 Analyze the relationship between
innovation, economic development, progress,
and various perceptions of the “American Dream”
through Reconstruction.
“Unpacked” Concepts
(students need to know)
AH1.H.3.2
• how environmental factors
influenced the patterns of
migration and settlement
wit hin the U.S. before the
Civil W ar
“Unpacked” Skills
(students need to be able to do)
AH1.H.3.2
• Explain (influence)
COGNITION
(RBT Level)
AH1.H.3.2
• Understanding
AH1.H.3.3
• the roles of various racial and
ethnic groups in settlement
and expansion through
Reconstruction and the
consequences for those
groups
AH1.H.3.3
• Explain (roles and
consequences)
AH1.H.3.3
• Understanding
AH1.H.3.4
• voluntary and involuntary
immigration trends through
Reconstruction in terms of
causes, regions of origin and
destination, cultural
contributions, and public and
governmental response
AH1.H.3.4
• Analyze (trends)
AH1.H.3.4
• Analyzing
AH1.H.4.4
• the cultural conflicts that
impacted the United States
through Reconstruction and
the compromises that
resulted
AH1.H.4.4
• Analyze (impact)
AH1.H.4.4
• Analyzing
AH1.H.7.3
• the impact of wars on
American society and culture
through Reconstruction
AH1.H.7.3
• Explain (impact)
AH1.H.7.3
• Understanding
AH1.H.8.2
• how opportunity and mobility
impacted various groups
within American society
through Reconstruction
AH1.H.8.2
• Explain (impact)
AH1.H.8.2
• Understanding
AH1.H.8.3
• the extent to which a
AH1.H.8.3
• Evaluate (extent)
AH1.H.8.3
• Evaluating
variety of groups and
i ndividuals have had
opportunity to attain their
perception of the
“American Dream”
Standard(s)
AH1.H.3.2
Explain how
environmental,
cultural, and
economic
factors
influenced the
patterns of
migration and
settlement
wit hin the U.S.
before the Civil
War.
AH1.H.3.3
Explain the
roles of various
racial and ethnic
groups in
settlement and
expansion
through
Reconstruction
and the
consequences
for those
groups.
Unit
“Chunking” &
Enduring
Understandings
Suggested
Lesson
Essential
Questions
Manifest Destiny
Nations often
develop policies
that help to
expand and
organize their
land.
How did the
United States
attempt to
expand and
organize its
territories?
Possible Factual
Content
(Bold Found in
Standards)
• Early Expansion
• Support for Manifest
Destiny
- government
policies and action
* Land Ordinance
of
1785
* Northwest
Ordinance of
1787
* Louisiana
Purchase
~ Lewis and
Clark
expedition
+ Sacajawea
- infrastructure
* roads, canals, etc.
- innovation
* steamboats
* railroads
• Resistance to
Expansion
- Native American
* Tecumseh
Example(s) From
Unpacked
Standard
How government
policies and action
influenced the
patterns of migration
and settlement along
the Western frontier.
Government
policy can
promote and
direct the
migration and
settlement of
people.
A nation’s
expansion
efforts can have
negative
consequences
for some groups.
How and to
what extent did
government
policies and
actions
influence
westward
expansion?
How did
western
settlement by
Americans
impact the
culture of
American
Indians?
• Manifest Destiny
- people’s views
* John
O’Sullivan
* Andrew Jackson
* James K. Polk
- Government
Policies and Action
* Adams-Onis
Treaty
* Missouri
Compromise
* Mexican War
* Gadsden
Purchase
* KansasNebraska Act
* Homestead Act
* Treaty of 1818
~ Oregon
* “54° 40 or Fight”
- Native American
Removal
* Indian Removal
Act
~ Cherokee
Nation v.
Georgia
~ Worcester v.
Georgia
* Trail of Tears
~ Elias
Boudinot
~ Winfield
Scott
* Reservation
System
* impact on
American
Indian
culture
* assimilation
How government
policies and action
influenced the
patterns of migration
and settlement along
the Western frontier.
How and why
American Indians
were forced to the
Great Plains and
eventually
reservations by the
mid-19th Century
and how that
movement impacted
American Indian
culture.
AH1.H.3.3
Explain the
roles of various
racial and ethnic
groups in
settlement and
expansion
through
Reconstruction
and the
consequences
for those
groups.
Conflicts as a
Result of
Manifest Destiny
Territorial
expansion can
lead to war.
AH1.H.7.3
Explain the
impact of wars
on American
society and
culture through
Reconstruction.
War can lead to
increased
political and
sectional
tension.
• Mexican War
- attempt to avoid
* James K. Polk
~ “American
How and why
Blood on
political leaders and
How did the
American
citizens adopted
idea of Manifest
Soil”
different tactics and
Destiny lead to
~ Spot
justifications to
the Mexican
Resolution
War?
oppose war at
- causes
different times.
* expansionism
* Manifest Destiny
- result
* Treaty of
Guadalupe
Hidalgo
* sectionalism
- cultural and
societal impact of
How, why and to
war
what extent the
* antiwar
Mexican War
Sentiment
invoked antiwar
~ Henry David
sentiment and
Thoreau’s
sectionalism in the
How did the
“Civil
Mexican War
Disobedience” United States.
lead to
* art, literature,
How and to what
increased
music,
extent nationalism,
political and
language
patriotism
and
sectional
~ reflection of
tension?
nationalism, participation in
warfare was
patriotism,
reflected in
and
participation American art,
literature, music, and
• Texas Revolution
language.
- Stephen Austin
- Sam Houston
- Lone Star
Republic
• Zachary Taylor
• Winfield Scott
• Wilmot Proviso
Territorial
expansion can
have unintended
consequences.
AH1.H.3.2
Explain how
environmental,
cultural, and
economic
factors
influenced the
patterns of
migration and
settlement
wit hin the U.S.
before the Civil
War.
Western
Migration:
Causes and
Effects
Individuals and
groups willing to
take risks can
influence the
settlement and
expansion of a
nation.
AH1.H.3.3
Explain the
roles of various
racial and ethnic
groups in
settlement and
expansion
through
Reconstruction
and the
consequences
for those
groups.
AH1.H.3.4
Analyze
voluntary and
involuntary
immigration
trends through
Reconstruction
The pursuit of
the “American
Dream” often
requires risk.
How did
Westward
expansion lead
to increased
sectional
tension?
• Expansion of
Slavery
- Missouri
Compromise
- Compromise of
1850
- KansasNebraska Act
- Free Soil Party
- Wilmot Proviso
• Migration
- involuntary
migration
* American Indians
* patterns
* influence
~ Indian
Removal Act
* impact
Why were
- voluntary
people willing to
migration
take the risk to
* westward settlers
settle in the
* patterns
west?
* origin and
destination
* influence
~ environmental
~ cultural/social
~ urban
development
~ economic
+ Gold Rush
~ slavery
~ government
+ Homestead
Act
Why do people
+ Morrill Act
take risks in
~ improve
order to pursue
quality of life
the “American
~ freedom
Dream”?
~ prosperity
~ “American
Dream”
* risk
* impact
~ agricultural
Growth
~ cultural
diffusion
How and to what
extent the westward
expansion of the
United States
influenced the
spread of slavery.
Opportunity and
mobility on behalf of
survival,
perseverance and
self-improvement
can have both
positive and
negative impacts for
various groups and
their communities.
How and to what
extent government
legislation
encouraged
westward
movement and
economic
opportunity along
the western frontier.
How and to what
extent the
California gold rush
benefited or
harmed groups
moving to western
mining towns.
To what extent
westward
movement and
settlement of
various groups
fulfilled or denied
the promises of
freedom and
prosperity along the
frontier.
in terms of
causes, regions
of origin and
destination,
cultural
contributions,
and public and
governmental
response.
AH1.H.4.4
Analyze the
cultural conflicts
that impacted
the United
States through
Reconstruction
and the
compromises
that resulted.
Diverse
individuals and
groups that
settle into a
particular region
shape the
culture and
identity of that
region.
AH1.H.8.2
Explain how
opportunity and
mobility
impacted
various groups
within American
society through
Reconstruction.
AH1.H.8.3
Evaluate the
extent to which
a variety of
groups and
i ndividuals have
had opportunity
to attain their
perception of
the “American
Dream”.
Northern and
Midwestern
Immigration and
Migration:
Causes and
Effects
New technology
and industry can
encourage
immigration and
migration.
How did the
settlement of
different groups
in the west
shape the
culture and
identity of the
region?
• Cultural Diversity in
the West
- groups
* Mormons
~ Brigham Young
* Homesteaders
* 49ers
* Mexicans /
Hispanics
* Asians
* shape cultural
identity of region
~ cultural
diffusion
+ shape
national
identity
+ cause
conflict
- geography
* affects settlement
* affects culture
• Immigration
- patterns
- origin and
destination
- influences
* environmental
* cultural/social
* urban
development
* new technology
How did the
* economic
development of
~ Industrial
technology and
Revolution
industry
+ jobs
encourage
~ Gold Rush
immigration and
~ government
migration to the
+ Homestead
North and
Act
Midwest?
+ Morrill Act
* improve
quality of life
~ freedom
~ prosperity
To what extent the
nation’s territorial
expansion
westward led to
cultural diffusion
and conflict
between various
groups.
How the belief in
“Manifest Destiny”
and the nation’s
territorial
expansion
westward led to
cultural diffusion
and conflict
between various
groups.
The development of
technology and
industry
encourages
immigration, urban
development, and
ethnic diversity.
How and to what
extent the
emergence of
industry and
commerce in the
North and Midwest
led to increased
opportunities for
migrants/immigrants
by the mid-19th
Century.
~ “American
Dream”
* risk
* impact
~ industrial
growth
~ cultural
diffusion
~ nativism
Why did
Immigrants often nativism
develop and
face
how did it affect
discrimination.
immigrants?
Expansion can
often highlight
and intensify
existing
sectional and
political
tensions.
How did
Manifest
Destiny
intensify
sectional
tensions in the
United States?
• Nativism
- participants
* Know Nothing
Party
* Order of the Star
Spangled Banner
- strategies
* degree of
Success
* political cartoons
~ Thomas Nast
Harper’s
Weekly
* opposition
~ 48ers
- results
* discrimination
* stereotypes
* Naturalization
Act of 1870
- reasons
* immigration
~ Scots-Irish
~ Irish
~ German
~ Asian
* cultural diffusion
The extent to which
various racial and
ethnic groups who
aided in the
settlement and
expansion of the
United States were
either accepted or
discriminated
against.
• Regional Diversity
- North
* economic
~ industry
* people/issues
~ immigrants
+ Irish
+ German
~ slavery
Expansion and
settlement in the
absence of
governmental
authority, power
and law can lead to
open cultural
conflict and
rebellion.
How and to what
extent various
groups of 19th
Century immigrants
were subjected to
political and
economic
discrimination, as
well as, cultural
stereotypes.
How nativism and
anti-immigrant
behaviors
influenced various
groups of
immigrants and the
United States.
- South
* economic
~ plantations
* people/issues
~ slavery
- West
* economic
~ agriculture
* people/issues
~ western
settlers
~ immigrants
+ Chinese
~ 49ers
~ slavery
*Standards 1 (historical thinking) and 2 (turning points) are included in every unit. i.e.: How
was the Louisiana Purchase a turning point in American History?
HISTORY
Conflict
National
Identity
War
GEOGRAPHY
Movement
Region
Settlement
Patterns
CIVICS &
GOVERNMENT
Freedom
ECONOMICS
Opportunity
Costs
Standard of
Living
Language Objective EXAMPLES
CULTURE
Culture
Diffusion
Diversity
Ethnicity
Technology
Values and Beliefs
Historical Thinking and Geography Skill Resources
“Straight Ahead”
“Uphill”
“Mountainous”
Historical Thinking
Geography Skills
.
General Unit Resources
“Straight Ahead”
“Uphill”
Gadsden Purchase: http://vimeo.com/10734221
“Mountainous”
Additional resources will be listed here as unit development continues.
Additional resources will be listed here as unit development continues.
Text differentiation symbols: Texts will be categorized in teacher resource documents as Straight Ahead (less
challenging for struggling readers), Uphill (having some challenging words and more complex sentence
structure that is appropriate for on-grade level readers), or Mountainous (containing challenging vocabulary,
complex sentences, and more abstract ideas).