Westward Expansion
Unit description: Driven by political and economic motives, the United States expanded its physical boundaries to the Pacific Ocean between 1800 and 1860. This settlement displaced Native Americans as the frontier was pushed westward. In this unit, students will study how Native Americans lost land and were forced to move and will also explore the physical westward expansion of the United States and the extensive outcomes, opportunities and negative effects that came from this time period.
Download the complete Social Studies Grade 7 Unit 6 framework to customize for your own planning.
Standards
Standards: 1, 3; Themes: ID, MOV, TCC, GEO
Essential Questions and Big Ideas
- Big idea of the unit: Driven by political and economic motives, the United States expanded its physical boundaries to the Pacific Ocean between 1800 and 1860.
- What were the driving factors behind the desire for westward expansion in the United States?
- American values and beliefs, such as Manifest Destiny and the need for resources, increased westward expansion and settlement.
- What opportunities were offered to some people through Westward Expansion?
- The Erie Canal as a gateway to westward expansion that resulted in economic growth for New York State, economic opportunities for Irish immigrants working on its construction, and its use by religious groups, such as the Mormons, to move westward.
- There was growth of suffrage for white men during Andrew Jackson’s administration.
- What harm was done to Native American people through Westward Expansion?
- The Seminole Wars and Cherokee judicial efforts were a result of Westward Expansion.
- Andrew Jackson forced the removal of the Cherokee, known as the Trail of Tears.
- The policies of New York State toward Native Americans at this time, and its efforts to take tribal lands, particularly those of the Oneidas, and exercise jurisdiction over those communities