- Pathfinder- Someone who moves ahead of other people to create or find a way to pass through an area
- Nationalism-Patriotic efforts, feelings, or principles
- annex-Append or add something as an extra part
- suffrage-The right to vote in political elections
- locomotive-A powered rail vehicle used for pulling trains
- secede-To remove oneself or to withdraw formally from the membership in a federal alliance, an organization, or a union
- doctrine- set of beliefs held by a group, church, or political party
- sectionalism-Restriction of interest to a very small amount of items or one single item
- abolitionism-The doctrine that calls for the abolition of slavery
- opportunity- A set of circumstances that make it possible to do something that is wanted or needed
- scarce- Insufficient for what is needed
- pioneer- A person who is the first or among the first to settle a new area
- Annexation of Texas This state became the 28th state in the US after it had won a war with Mexico. It was first an independent government with Sam Houston as its president. It became a state 10 years after its independence.
- Manifest Destiny This word means "obvious fate". Americans felt we had the God-given right and duty to expand the borders of the US from ocean to ocean.
- Louisiana Purchase Land purchased from France in 1803 when Thomas Jefferson was President. He sent James Monroe to France to buy New Orleans and he was able to get the entire territory for 15 million dollars.
- Florida Purchase This land was bought from Spain and gave the US the Spanish land east of the Mississippi. Spain decided to sell this land before the US could win it in a war.
- Northwest Territory This land was obtained from Britain and it gave the US territory in the Oregon and Washington State area. It settled border disputes the US was having with Britain over the land in Canada.
- Zebulon Pike Man who explored the Rocky Mountains and Southwestern part of the Louisiana Territory. He discovered a peak in Colorado that is names for him, even though he never climbed it.
- Lewis and Clark Men who led an expedition through the Louisiana Territory for Thomas Jefferson. They brought back detailed notes of what they saw. They were helped by the Indian Sacajawea.
- Daniel Boone Man who led pioneers to Kentucky and spent much of his life exploring the west. He used the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap.
- Santa Fe Trail This trail was used between the years of 1821-1880. It was a route that took people from Missouri to New Mexico. It was also a good trade route. Before the railroad came, over 5000 covered wagons had gone this road.
- Trail of Tears It was the terrible trip the Cherokee had to make when they were forced to leave their land in the Southwest and move to Oklahoma. Many Indians died along the way.
- Oregon Trail This trail was over 2000 miles long and was used by explorers, missionaries, and fur traders to get to the Pacific Northwest. It was the longest trail in the US. It began in Missouri and ended in Oregon.
- Mexican Cession This was the land that was owned by Mexico where the present states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona are today. The US was given this land after the Mexican-American War.
Westward Expansion As the United States gained territory through events like the Louisiana Purchase and wars with Mexico, settlers began moving west. Settlers relocated to the frontier in order to claim free land from the government for ranching and farming, to strike it rich in the Gold Rush, or to avoid persecution. Improvements in transportation technology led to more people moving West. (H6a)
Westward expansion helped improve the economy of the United States. The country gained access to new natural resources and new ports that aided in trade. Westward expansion had negative effects too, especially for the Native Americans living in the newly gained territory of the United States. Many were forced to move, as new settlers claimed land that once belonged to them, and they lost their traditional way of life. (H6b, H6c)
Powerpoints
Suffrage Movement Powerpoint
Westward Expansion Powerpoint
Videos
Western Expansion Rap (How it affected Native Americans)0
Sufferin’ til Suffrage Schoolhouse Rock
Women’s Rights Videos
WatchKnowLearn Western Expansion Videos (Really Good!)
Western Expansion Videos
Websites
Women’s Rights and Suffrage Resources
Lousiana Purchase Timeline Primary Documents
Mr. Kash’s Activities (VERY GOOD!)
Growth of a Nation Animated Map
Eduplace Animated Map