Intel Corporation
Intel: Music of the Western Expansion
What was life like for a western pioneer? Students take a journey through westward expansion using music to understand the experience of the pioneers. As they listen to lyrics and analyze the different types of music that was being sung...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Expansion of the Vote: A White Man's Democracy
Read about how the ability to vote changed from requiring the ownership of property to almost complete enfranchisement of white males by 1840. There was disenfranchisment of women and free blacks in the same period of time.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1865 1898: Indian Wars/ Battle of the Little Big Horn
In the late nineteenth century, the US Army clashed with Native Americans, and General Custer took his last stand.
Other
American Anthropological Association: 1800 1850s: Expansion of Slavery in the Us
Outlines the political events prior to the Civil War as the United States expanded its territories to include new states and conflicts arose over the issue of slavery.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Charles Ii and the Restoration Colonies
From a chapter on "The English Empire," this section of the chapter analyzes the causes and consequences of the Restoration and identifies the Restoration colonies and their role in the expansion of the Empire.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History Unit: Period 6: 1865 1898: Unit Test
This practice exercise from Khan Academy covers Period 6: 1865-1898 in American History. The Gilded Age, Western expansion, and the "New South" are included in the practice. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Mexican American War, 1846 1848
After reading this section of a chapter on "Westward Expansion," students will be able to identify the causes of the Mexican-American War and describe the outcomes of the war in 1848 and the effect of the California Gold Rush on westward...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History History Unit: Period 6: 1865 1898: Unit Test
This unit practice test from Khan Academy covers Period 6: 1865-1898 in American History. Western expansion, the Gilded Age, and the "New South" are components of this unit test. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Whose Land Is This? Webisode 8
From Joy Hakim's marvelous set of books, A History of US, this webisode offers narrative, pictures, and teaching guides for the settling of the West after the Civil War.
Other
Course Notes: Us History: 1840 1877: Expansion and Slavery
A list with short descriptions of the issues and events that impacted the expansion of the frontier, with slavery being the most significant issue.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: Indian Wars and Battle of Little Bighorn
Discusses the series of events and conflicts in the Indian Wars that culminated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, or Custer's Last Stand. Includes questions for students at end.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Liberty for All? Webisode 3
Webisode 3 - Liberty for All? The history of the United States is presented in a series of webisodes, within each are a number of segments.Included are links to lesson plans, teacher guides, resources, activities, and tools.
San Diego State University
Sdsu College of Education: Westward Movement
A group of organized lessons provides ideas for teachers when planning a unit on westward expansion in the US. Some activities include planning what to pack in your wagon, learning what obstacles were faced, mapping, and more.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fort Necessity National Battlefield: The National Road
A discussion of the building of the National Road, its route, and importance to the opening of the West. From the National Park Service.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Age of Jackson: The Rise of the Common Man
Describes how Andrew Jackson emerged as the first populist president to appeal to the common man.
Other
At Home in the Heartland: At Home on the Fringes of the Prairie (1800 1850)
Interactive site offers information and pictures pertaining to early pioneer life. See advertisements in the paper, furniture, glassware, and food preparation tools. Read stories of individuals who lived during that time and make...
Curated OER
National Park Service: The Significance of the Dred Scott Trial
In this article from "The Old Courthouse" by Donald Dosch the facts of the Dred Scott decision are laid out. Read why the outcome of the case fanned the embers of the coming Civil War.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: The Civil Rights Movement Expands
A quick comprehension check over the expansion of the Civil Rights Movement.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Stories of the Westward Expansion: Exodus to Freedom
Contains an article written on the African American exodus to Kansas to farm in the late 19th century.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Loss of American Indian Life and Culture
Read this section from a chapter on "Westward Expansion" to learn about the methods that the U.S. government used to address the "Indian threat" during the settlement of the West and explain the process of "Americanization" as it applied...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Compromise of 1850
Find the various parts of the Compromise of 1850, proposed by Henry Clay, that extended slavery in some cases, prohibited in others, and added California as a free state. A clear chart shows what parts of the law were beneficial to the...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: The Panic of 1837
This set uses primary sources to explore the financial practices that contributed to the Panic of 1837 and the impact of the crisis on America's politics, economy, and people.
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: High Falutin' Beef
This is an impressive history of the introduction of beef to the Great Plains region complete with videos, photos, and lesson plans.
C-SPAN
C Span Classroom: Teaching About Keystone Xl Pipeline
Learning materials from which students read and watch videos for and against the proposed expansion of the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline and then debate the issue in classroom deliberations. Site includes video, lesson plans,...