OpenStax
Open Stax: u.s. History: Independence for Texas
From a chapter on America's expansion westward in a history textbook. This section looks at Texas's struggle for independence from Mexico, and the relations between Mexico and Texas prior to and after independence. Includes review...
Other
Hillcrest High School: Us History: Expansion in Texas [Pdf]
This chapter covers a time in Texas history during the mid-nineteenth century when Mexico offered land grants to American settlers, but conflict developed over religion and other cultural differences.
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.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Truman Doctrine
This is a copy of a speech given in 1947 that describes US intent in stopping the spread of communism. It outlines threats to communist expansion into Greece and Turkey, and the US response to such a threat. This is a great primary...
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,...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve offers information about its expansive wilderness. Here you can find park maps and visitor information, as well as information on the park's geology. A "teacher feature" includes educational...
Agriculture in the Classroom
U.s. Department of Agriculture: Agriculture in the Classroom
Information about agriculture and agricultural practice in America. You can explore specific states or issues that are national in scope. The "Growing a Nation" page helps you understand the role of the American farm in westward expansion.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Popular Sovereignty
Read about the concept of popular sovereignty in relation to issue of expansion of slavery in the territories. It was not as simple as it seemed. Find out about how the issue of slavery was addressed in the election of 1848. Included is...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Wilmot's Proviso
Congressman David Wilmot, even before the end of the Mexican-War, proposed legislation that would outlaw the expansion of slavery into the new territory, should the United States acquire it. Read about his reasons for proposing the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Manifest Destiny
This Khan Academy resource provides notes for American History. "Manifest Destiny" is explained on this resource, along with the implications associated with expansion of the North American continent.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Kansas Nebraska Act and Party Realignment
Learn about the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Passed in 1854, it reopened the debate over the expansion of slavery in the United States.
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.
Curated OER
Etc: Expansion of the United States , 1783 1853
A map from 1904 of the United States showing the territorial acquisitions up to the Gadsden Purchase in northern Mexico in 1853. The map is coded to show the territory of the original United States and the Northwest Territory defined by...
Curated OER
Etc: Expansion of the United States, 1783 1853
A map from 1904 of the United States showing the territorial acquisitions up to the Gadsden Purchase in northern Mexico in 1853. The map is coded to show the territory of the original United States and the Northwest Territory defined by...
Curated OER
Etc: Expansion of the United States, 1783 1853
A map from 1912 of the United States showing the territorial acquisitions up to the Gadsden Purchase in northern Mexico in 1853. The map is color-coded to show the territory of the original United States and the Northwest Territory...
Curated OER
Etc: Territorial Growth of the Continental Us, 1783 1853
A map from 1913 of the United States showing its acquisition of territory from the original states and Northwest Territory after the American Revolutionary War in 1783 to the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. The dates for each acquisition are...
Curated OER
Etc: Territorial Growth of the Us 1783 to 1867, 1783 1867
The United States, showing the growth of territory from 1783 to 1867.
Curated OER
Etc: Development of the Northwest Territory in Us, 1790 1810
A map of the American Northwest Territory showing the boundary developments in 1790, 1800, and 1810. The upper left map shows the territory acquired by the United States from Britain after the Revolutionary War as established by the...
Curated OER
Etc: The Territory of the Us Before and After the Louisiana Purchase, 1783 1803
A map of the United States showing the extent of the country prior to, and after the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803.
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...
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Free Soil Party
A description of the platform and beliefs of the Free Soil Party which opposed expansion of slavery into US territories.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Early American Trade in China: The Sea Man's Vade Mecum, 1707 [Pdf]
The following is excerpted from a book called Vade Mecum published in France in 1707. Although the book was written to establish basic standards of behavior, punishment, protocol, and procedure on French naval ships, it served as...
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum: Marshall Plan
Excerpts from an interview with George C. Marshall concerning the Marshall Plan. Questions are also supplied to assist in expansion of knowledge about the topics.
Patrick McSherry
Spanish American War Centennial: Letter From Private Harold Booth: First New York Volunteer Infantry
Copy of a letter from Private Harold Booth, 1st New York Volunteer Infantry, dated September 10, 1898 from Honolulu, Hawaii. Booth was stationed at Camp McKinley, the first US military post in the Hawaiian Islands.