Student Links
Lesson 1: Westward Expansion
Identify the causes, consequences and events associated with the
westward expansion of the U.S.
Lewis and Clark Expedition - National Geographic Xpedition which provides an opportunity for students to explore several issues surrounding the exploration of the northwest by Lewis and Clark.
Lewis and Clark Expedition Game - Interactive journey created by National Geographic. Students make choices and see how these choice would have worked out.
The Oregon Trail - A website devoted to the history of the Oregon Trail including its background and discovery, hardships encountered and the importance of the trail in the westward expansion of the United States.
Pioneer Life - Includes a large amount of information on the pioneers who helped expand the U.S. frontier westward including reasons they traveled, destinations, trails used, wagon trains, what items pioneers took with them and what life was like for them on the trail.
California Gold Rush - A virtual exhibition providing information about the California Gold Rush of 1848 and itsconsequences for the development of the U.S. Many photographs help to illustrate topics such as the lure of gold, the first discovery of Gold, the journey to California by land and sea, the life of miners and the effect on the development of California and its great cities.
Growth of a Nation - this is an animated map of the United States that help students to see how the country grew as a result of expansion of its borders. You may select a date to see what the map looked like during that period or let the movie play through to see with sound and animation how the new states were formed and borders changed.
Lesson 2: Civil War
Identify the causes, consequences and major events associated with
the Civil War.
Civil War Chronologies - A detailed chronology of events by author Jim Epperson which is an aid to understanding the battles, campaigns and political controversies of the Civil War. Select the Succession Crisis chronology for an understanding of the causes of the Civil War.
Underground Railroad - Interactive feature from National Geographic explores the underground railroad system which helped slaves to escape. You assume the role of a slave and are asked to make choices.
The Civil War - Large Civil War site with loads of informtion and links to other sites.
A Nation Divided - A timeline of the Civil War.
Causes of the Civil War - Another web page by Jim Epperson, author of the Civil War Chronologies web site, which uses source documents and timelines to to explain the causes of the Civil War.
Lesson 3: Industrialization and Urbanization
Identify the causes and consequences of industrialization and urbanization
in the late 19th century.
The Rise of Industrial America
Lesson 4: Immigration
Identify the trends, impacts and issues related to immigration in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
American Immigration - Provides a good resource for any research topic on immigration. It includes reasons for immigration, immigrant statistics over the years, opportunities, destinations, assimilation, and much more.
Immigration to the United States (1851-1900)
Lesson 5: Nationaliam vs. Internationalism
Identify the changing balance of isolationism vs. internationalism
in American history.