Westward Expansion 1802-1890
The specific focus of this unit is geographic change, namely, the expansion of the United States. From the earliest colonial period, Americans had been pushing west. You’ll recall that westward expansion was a continual source of friction with American Indians and British attempts to restrict westward expansion was a cause of the Revolution. Expansionist impulses continued after the revolution. Several nations including Great Britain, France, Spain, Russia, Mexico and the United States had competing claims to the West. Furthermore, scores of American Indian nations occupied the west and understood it as home. In the end, for good or ill the United States would have it all. The process of winning the west has become inextricably linked with American history and culture.
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Unit Materials:
CQ#1: How Get Current Boundaries
CQ#2: Why Go West?
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CQ#3: Expansion & Native Americans
CQ#4: Meaning of the West
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