The new century saw the United States transformed by exponential growth through land acquisitions in the West. This expansion resulted in harm to Native Americans and continued the debate on the “peculiar institution” of slavery. |
Indicator 4-5.2: Explain the motivations and methods of migrants and immigrants, who moved West, including economic opportunities, the availability of rich land, and the country’s belief in Manifest Destiny. |
Learning Tasks:
Ø Students will pictures (Motivation West photographs) of various motivations that settlers had for moving west to develop a heading for each category (ie. gold, fur, etc.). Using Motivations to Go West sheet, students will then watch a POWtoons video clip (link provided on sheet) on the motivations for heading west, taking notes to determine the purpose of the motive- political, economic, or geographic on the Motivations to Go West graphic organizer. They will then re-sort the pictures and/or change their headings as needed. (DOK 2) Ø Students will view the Discovery Education video clip “Westward Expansion: The Pioneer Challenge” (Beginning at 5 min. 40 sec. and stopping at 10 min. 15 sec.). They will analyze the video using the video analysis sheet. (DOK 2-3) OR Students will complete the 3-2-1 Bridge Activity based on their knowledge before watching the video and information gained after the watching the video. (DOK 3) Ø Students will read closely pages 442 – 445 in the textbook Scott Foresman Social Studies Building a Nation. They will answer California Gold Rush discussion questions about the text in small group and whole class discussions. (DOK 1-3) Ø Students will create an ad/poster for the motive they believed to be most influential in the push west. They will try to convince others to support their motive when the poster is complete. (DOK 3-4) Ø ** Achieve3000 article- “Westward Growth: The Rush for Riches” could be assigned, completed in small group or as a workstation task. |
It is essential for students to know:
Pioneers moved into new territories both before and after they were acquired by the United States government. Their settlements helped to initiate and establish American claims to these lands that were also claimed by other nations and Native Americans. Americans began to justify their westward expansion with the idea of Manifest Destiny, a God given right to expand and claim lands from coast to coast. In addition to nationalism, the motives for the pioneers’ exploration and movement to the West included personal and economic opportunity. The land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains was becoming more populated. There were many economic opportunities in trade for pioneers moving west that were different from the industrial north and large southern plantations. There was a bounty of furs for trappers to be hunted in the vast wilderness of the West and then sold to those who traded in Europe for a profit. The availability of inexpensive rich farmland in places such as Oregon made it possible for farmer to own their own land and become self-sufficient. Southerners moved to Texas for more land on which to plant cotton. The push for westward expansion caused a tremendous economic advancement in the towns and cities that were being established leading west. The California Gold Rush brought many new migrants to the West who were looking to get rich quick and return home to their families. These miners and others who traveled west needed food and supplies so merchants followed the miners. Some settlers wanted a new start in life. In order to escape religious persecution in the United States, the Mormons eventually settled in present-day Utah for freedom of religion. Settlers of the Great Plains came later but, whether they farmed or ranched, their economic motives were the same and the availability of inexpensive land made acting on dreams often a reality. The migrants experience on the trail was full of hardship. They might have encountered broken axels, accidents, bad weather, rough river crossings, limited food supply, sickness, bandits, and/or unfriendly Native Americans. The trip was particularly difficult on women and children. Most settlers traveled the West in wagon trains. The success or failure of the trip greatly depended on the degree of cooperation and lack of conflict among the travelers as well as the timing in accord with the weather. |