Objectives:
SWBAT:
? Analyze the effects of Westward Expansion on Native Americans
? Analyze the effects of Westward Expansion on the environment
? Analyze the effects of Westward Expansion on current day United States
? Alter Westward Expansion maps by comparing to correct map on a transparency

Materials Needed:
? Westward Expansion map, colored coded, transparency

Overview:
? Native Americans pushed out of homelands
? Their food source (animals) depleted
? Need to alter life style – hunters to farmers
? U.S. assigned troops to be stationed along Oregon Trail to protect pioneers from Native Americans
? 1851 Native American group met with US government officials and signed the Fort Laramine Treaty of 1851
? Treaty stated that for a payment, the Native Americans had to allow free, unobstructed passage to the pioneers, and they were given boundaries on their land – this was the start of the reservation system
? Greatly increased size of US
? Increased the amount of natural resources and land for Americans
? Farms, developed and towns and villages grew
? Animals were killed or pushed from their habitats
? Gold mines greatly altered California’s terrain
? The US became a much more powerful country
? Westward Expansion strengthened feelings of nationalism throughout the country, but it also greatly increased sectionalism
? The US now had to deal with many new states entering the Union and the decision to make them free or slave states
? The US became wealthier do to the discovery of gold

Procedure:
? Lead class discussion on aspects of the US that were effected by Westward Expansion
? Be sure that the class touches on Native Americans, the environment, and the attitudes in the US at the time

Evaluation:
? Participation in class discussion
? Essay homework