US History - Westward Expansion

EQ: What were the causes of Westward Expansion Do Now: What did President Thomas Jefferson do to allow for expansion of the United States?

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Lesson Overview
Utilized	Activity	Time Allocated	Mode of Activity
____	Do Now	_________ / 2-5 Min	(Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #____)
____	Mini Lesson	_________/ 15-20 Min	(Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #____)
____	Activity	_________ / 20-30 Min	(Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #_____)
____	Discussion/Exit Ticket	_________ / 5-10 Min	(Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #____)
____	Assessment	_________ / 10-40 Min	(Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #____)
____	Conferencing	_________ Min	(Individual / Pair / Group #____ / Throughout Class Period)

Westward Expansion

Since its beginnings, the United States has spread westward and acquired territory. At first this meant dealing with European colonial competitors such as France and Spain, as well as native groups that already claimed the land. Eventually, the idea that the United States should occupy all of the land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, that it was our manifest destiny, became the norm.

Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of the United States by purchasing the Louisiana Territory from the French. This purchase troubled Jefferson somewhat because he used his presidential treaty-making powers to craft the agreement. He considered this to be a loose interpretation of these powers, and he believed that the Constitution should be interpreted strictly.

Missouri Compromise

In 1820, the first of several debates over the expansion of both the United States and the institution of slavery took place. Missouri wished to enter the union as a slave state, however, this would grant slave-holding states the majority in the Senate. This arrangement was unacceptable to the industrial North, which did not depend upon slavery as the South did.

Congress passed the Missouri Compromise which would allow Missouri to enter as a slave-holding state and Maine as a free state. This act also banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36 degree 30 minute line of latitude which was the southern border of Missouri.

Compromise of 1850

The California gold rush in the late 1840s and the acquisition of new territory of Utah and New Mexico after the Mexican-American War required Congress to analyze the intertwined issues of expansion and slavery again since the Missouri Compromise only applied to the Louisiana Territory.

This time, Congress allowed California to be admitted as a free state and southerners were granted a stricter fugitive slave law allowing them to recapture their property, even in the North. Finally, popular sovereignty would allow the people living in the Utah and New Mexico territories to vote on the issue of slavery when they entered the union as states.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

In 1854, Congress decided to extend popular sovereignty to the unsettled areas of the Louisiana Purchase, now know as the Kansas and Nebraska territories. This act led to violence and a pre-cursor to the Civil War as pro-abolition and pro-slavery forces flooded Kansas to sway the vote, in what became known as Bloody Kansas.

Further Expansion

The United States also went on to acquire Alaska and Hawaii which also became states. Imperialism also resulted in the possession or control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippine Islands, and the Panama Canal.

The California Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush was a significant event in American history that began in January 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. This discovery marked the beginning of a massive influx of people from all over the world to California, drawn by the promise of striking it rich. The Gold Rush had a profound impact on California's development, the United States' economy, and the people who participated in it.

Discovery of Gold: On January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall, a carpenter and sawmill operator, discovered gold nuggets in the American River while constructing a sawmill for John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant who established a colony in the Sacramento Valley. The news of the discovery initially spread slowly, but it intensified when the "California Star" newspaper, owned by Samuel Brannan, published an article about the gold findings in March 1848.

The Gold Fever Spreads: As the news of the discovery circulated, a "gold fever" spread rapidly across the United States and even reached other parts of the world. People from all walks of life were captivated by the prospect of wealth and adventure in California.

"49ers": The term "49ers" refers to the thousands of fortune seekers who rushed to California in 1849, seeking their fortune in gold mining. These prospectors came from different states in the U.S. and various countries, including Mexico, China, Europe, and Australia.

Methods of Mining: In the early days of the Gold Rush, surface mining techniques like panning, sluicing, and rocker boxes were used to extract gold from riverbeds and streams. As the easy-to-reach surface gold diminished, more complex and industrialized methods like hydraulic mining and hard rock mining were employed. Hydraulic mining involved using high-pressure water jets to erode hillsides and extract gold deposits. Hard rock mining required digging tunnels and shafts to reach the gold embedded within rocks.

Impact on California's Population: The Gold Rush caused a population boom in California. Before the discovery of gold, the state's population was relatively small, but by the mid-1850s, hundreds of thousands of people had migrated to California, leading to its rapid transformation. The city of San Francisco, for instance, saw its population explode as it became a major port and gateway for incoming prospectors.

Social and Cultural Impact: The Gold Rush brought together people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, leading to a melting pot effect. Many Chinese immigrants came to California seeking fortune, and they played a significant role in mining and other industries. However, they also faced discrimination and unfair treatment.

Economic Impact: The economic impact of the Gold Rush was far-reaching. While only a small percentage of prospectors struck it rich, the influx of people stimulated economic growth in various industries, such as transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing. It also fueled the development of infrastructure and cities in California.

Legacy: The Gold Rush had a lasting impact on California's development and its identity as the "Golden State." The spirit of adventure, risk-taking, and pursuit of dreams became integral to the state's culture. Moreover, it contributed to the push for California's statehood, which was achieved in 1850.

In conclusion, the California Gold Rush of 1848-1855 was a transformative event that changed the face of California and the United States. While most people did not become wealthy, the Gold Rush symbolized the American dream of opportunity and prosperity, drawing people from around the world to seek their fortune in the untamed lands of the West.

Activities

Lesson PowerPoint:

Lesson Videos:

Manifest Destiny	California Gold Rush

Lesson Activity: Manifest Destiny - Positive or Negative? or both?