In 1803, the explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were sent to traverse newly acquired land beyond the Mississippi River and find a water route that led to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, they recorded their findings, including encounters with native peoples, and detailed maps of the land. To teach students about this important journey of Western expansion, have them create a paper quilt of key happenings during the explorers’ expedition. Divide students into small groups and have them illustrate a particular event, such as launching from Camp Wood or meeting the Shoshone. Once groups are done with their drawings, use yarn or tape to connect the pictures in chronological order, with each group describing their event.
Western expansion continued with pioneers using three main trails to travel: the Oregon, the Santa Fe and the California. A lesson on these trails should include maps showing the different routes, as well as similarities and differences between them. Preparation for travel and common difficulties should also be discussed. To familiarize students with this information, have them create a trifold brochure with a short summary on each trail, along with the main differences that set them apart. Students will then create a short presentation using a slideshow program focusing on a trail of their choice. They should include text, photographs and basic information about the trail, as well as any interesting facts they discover in their research.
Native Americans played a major part in westward expansion, sometimes assisting pioneers and other times engaging them in battles. This portion of U.S. history is filled with both uplifting and sad moments, so helping students learn about both will give them a richer context of Native Americans’ role in this time period. One way to do this is to have students write a letter or essay from the perspective of a Native American. For example, they could write a letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs offering their opinion on the arrival of the white man and the removal of Native Americans from tribal lands.
Once gold was discovered in California in the mid-1800s, an influx of settlers arrived hoping to strike it rich. There was uncontrolled population growth in the West at this time as people arrived by land and sea, forever changing the landscape west of the Rockies and creating a widely diverse grouping of cultures. One way to educate students about this event is with a lesson on diversity during and following the Gold Rush. Class discussion about the different cultures, including Chinese, Native American and African American, should be used to teach students about the experiences of these groups, Students can then write a journal entry from the perspective of an emigrant. They should include specific details about their life, their living and work situations and how they are treated.