Expansion and War Name:
Answer the following questions using the website
You may use your own paper if there is not enough room on this sheet.
http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/tucker/strusky_m/webquests/VUS6_Expansion/ExpansionandWar.htm
Manifest Destiny (video link)
What is manifest destiny?
How did Americans justify their quest for more land?
How did the actions of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison contribute to the goals of Manifest Destiny?
Inventions Spur Expansion (Web Page)
How did each of the following inventions help contribute to expansion?
Interchangeable Parts:
The Mill:
The Cotton Gin:
The Steel Plow:
The Mechanical Reaper:
How did the cotton gin impact slavery?
What innovations in transportation helped encourage western expansion?
How did the telegraph impact western expansion?
Texas; Home at Last (pdf presentation)
What 6 flags have flown over Texas?
Why did Mexico invite Americans to settle in the Texas Territory?
Why did so many Americans agree?
Why did American migration into Texas become a problem for Mexico?
How did Mexico try to solve that problem?
Why did the Texans need to fight for their own independence without the help of the United States?
When was the Texas war for independence?
Why was the Battle for the Alamo so significant?
How did the Texans finally win their independence?
When did this happen?
What became the name of their new nation?
Why did it take so long for Texas to join the U.S.?
Which President helped encourage the annexation of Texas? WHEN?
Oregon (Web Page)
Why had Americans already been migrating into the Oregon Territory?
Why did President James K. Polk aspire to annex Oregon?
What was the Oregon Trail?
Look at that wagon – why do you suppose the people were walking beside it?
How did the phrase, “Fifty-Four, Forty or Fight”, help the U.S. gain a portion of the Oregon Territory?
Why do we sometimes compare the acquisition of Oregon to playing poker? (think)
Mexican-American War (Video Link)
When was the Mexican-American War?
Why were tension so high between the U.S. and Mexico?
Which President is associated with this war?
What did he want?
Why did the U.S. need Mexico to strike first?
How did we do this?
Why did some people oppose going to war with Mexico?
How did the U.S. manage to overcome the larger Mexican Army?
Who became the American heroes in this war?
What did the United States gain from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
Shortly after the end of the Mexican-American War, gold was discovered in California. What effect do you think this will have on western migration?
Elbow Room (Video Link)
After watching this video, what is the tone of Western Expansion?
Who do you suppose will not be so excited about this Manifest Destiny?
WHY?