Manifest Destiny

Introduction

Image result for westward expansion clipart

At the turn of the 19th century, the concept of Manifest Destiny would be born in the minds of Americans.

As a result of the Louisiana Purchase, the nation doubled in size and the political, economic and territorial expansion of the United States across North America towards the Pacific Ocean had begun.  Presidents and common citizens alike believed that it was obvious ("Manifest") and certain ("Destiny") that the United States had a mssion to spread its form of democracy and freedom.

Advocates of Manifest Destiny believed that the United States was fulfilling a moral duty and that the results of expansion would be beneficial to everyone.  As a young historian, you will assume the role of an explorer, an American Indian, or a pioneer settling the Great Plains in order to further explore the concept of "Manifest Destiny" and determine if you agree or disagree with the ideology surrounding  this concept.  

"It is our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions. "

                - John L. O’Sullivan

 Through your journey, you will complete a series of tasks to display your understanding of the concept of Manifest Destiny as well as the effects and challenges of this historical time of growth and conflict in the United States.

Task

During your journey, you will be taking notes and completing a navigation guide.  After your journey, you will complete each of the choice activities as homework.

Navigation Guide: While navigating through the websites for your role, you will complete a 2-page navigation guide.  This includes questions related to your role, as well as a guide to analyzing your primary sources. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LbPsHilCUairgVo0WQqyn-lmODO9HUVPpTP3ogpTR5Q/edit?usp=sharing

Homework Task Choice #1: You will complete a map displaying territorial acquisitions of the United States and tracing the journey you took in your role as an explorer, an American Indian, or a pioneer.  Your map should be colored and labeled appropriately.  Note: You may need to re-visit the map sections of this webquest to complete this task.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eYTMLO3wpN_o2Z_YWwqir08dk-D4wzMgODrdItfII_w/edit?usp=sharing

Homework Task Choice #2: During their travels, all members of the Corps of Discovery, many pioneers, and some Cherokee Indians kept journals to document their experiences and record their thoughts and feelings.  You will also write a journal from the perspective of your role.  Note: You will need to make specific references to what you have learned; therefore, it may be useful to take notes during your quest and/or re-visit the webquest.

Journal Example: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k2wy4nQPBoJT_tK40pUJ2lHtOyloswx4GzOSX8_66y8/edit?usp=sharing

Homework Task Choice #3: Create a timeline of important events in the westward expansion of the United States.  Your timeline should include at least 5 historically significant events.  For each event, you must also include the date(s), a short description of the event, and a picture, drawing or other visual.  Note: To complete this task, it will be useful to take notes during your quest and/or re-visit the webquest.

http://www.softschools.com/timelines/westward_expansion_timeline/238/

Homework Task Worksheet Templates

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gsjuzW1n4E6jSKfFMJnNI0A0q6LGIAsg

 

Process

 

1. You will be exploring the westward expansion of the United States from one of three perspectives.  You will choose one of the following roles and navigate through the selected websites to become an expert on your chosen perspective.

2. While navigating through these websites, it is important that you take notes and complete the questions and activities in your navigation guide.  These questions and activities will help you complete your individual assignment and group task.  The navigation guide consists of questions to be answered during the process of viewing each website, as well as a guide to examining the primary sources. 

 

3. Your goal will be to describe the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives associated with westward expansion, including the concept of Manifest Destiny and the territorial acquisitions that spanned numerous decades from 1800 through 1850.  Your accomplishment of this goal will be evident through completion of the navigation guide, the homework assignment of your choice, as well as a group project, which will be completed in class following your research.

 

Additional Background Information for all Roles:

These additional sites will help you complete the homework assignment, if needed:

What is Manifest Destiny?  http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/osulliva.htm

Louisiana Purchase: https://www.varsitytutors.com/earlyamerica/milestone-events/louisiana-purchase-treaty

 

Role #1:  Corps of Discovery - The Lewis and Clark Expedition

You are a member of the Corps of Discovery and will be one of the first Americans to explore the west! 

1. Inside the Corps:  http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/inside/index.html

Read the introduction and browse through the links: The Corps, To Equip an Expedition, Circa 1803, and The Native Americans. 

2. The Journals: http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/read/?_xmlsrc=lc.toc.xml&_xslsrc=LCstyles.xsl

Search the archives of journals from the list in your navigation guide. 

3. Maps: http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/archive/idx_map.html

Review the route taken by the explorers. 

 

Role #2: Cherokee Indian on the "Trail of Tears"

As a Cherokee Indian, you are a member of one of the "Five Civilized Tribes" and have assimilated to the culture of the White Americans.  However, with the passage of Jackson's Indian Removal Act, you will be forced to move from your land.  The walk will take about six months, and many of your friends and family members will die along the way...

1. Introduction - Indian Removal Act: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html

Read about the legislation that allowed the United States to forcibly remove Native Americans from their land.

2. Primary Sources:

Andrew Jackson's Second Annual Message: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h3437.html

John Ross Letter: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h3083.html

Read Andrew Jackson's own words regarding his policy of Indian Removal, then see how the Chief of the Cherokee Tribe responded to a fraudulent deal with Congress.

3. Map: https://www.nps.gov/trte/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Review the route taken by the Cherokee Indians.

 

Role #3: Pioneer Life - Traveling the Oregon Trail and the California Trail

You are a pioneer, traveling west to settle the Great Plains.  You have packed a wagon full of your belongings and the necessary supplies to survive the journey. 

1. All about the Oregon Trail: http://oregontrail101.com/

This website and its links include informational text, as well as excerpts from emigrant's diaries.

2. The Hastings "Shortcut" and the Donner Party: http://www.donnerpartydiary.com/

Would you rather take a shortcut to California?  Some pioneers were coaxed into traveling a different route through Hastings Cutoff.  Skim through this website to discover the outcome of their decision.  

3. Maps: http://www.historyglobe.com/ot/otmap2.htm,https://emigranttrailswest.org/virtual-tour/in-progress-2/

Review the route taken by the pioneers along the Oregon Trail and find the Hastings cutoff route toward California.

Evaluation

 

Beginning Developing Very Good Exemplary

- Questions unanswered, or only short inadequate answers

- Incomplete; (1/2 of the requirements completed)

- Little or no understanding of content

- Little or no evidence

- Most questions answered thoughtfully, though lacking depth

- Some requirements missing

- Shows basic understanding of content

- Little evidence

- Answers show thought and evidence of research

- All of the requirements completed

- Shows mastery of content knowledge

- Shows evidence

- Clear answers with obvious research

-All of the requirements completed

- Exceptional mastery of content

- Shows Critical thinking supported with evidence

 

Conclusion

 

Congratulations!  You've made a tremendous journey. 

Hopefully you have learned a considerable amount in your role as an explorer, a pioneer, or a Native American.   

Credits