Title: The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Westward Expansion | The Clever Teacher
Headings: The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Westward Expansion
The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Westward Expansion
The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Westward Expansion
Westward Expansion Overview
What was Westward Expansion?
Why did people move West?
Land and Technology
Manifest Destiny
US Territorial Acquisitions
The Louisiana Purchase & Lewis and Clark
The Texas Revolution
The Mexican-American War
California Gold Rush
Westward Expansion Trails & the Oregon Trail
Indian Removal Act
Removal Treaties & Forced Removal
Westward Expansion & Slavery
Westward Expansion Timeline
Teacher Resources for Learning about Westward Expansion
Westward Expansion Pacing Guide
Westward Expansion Simulation and Game
3-Week Pacing Guide
Free Westward Expansion Map Lesson
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Westward Expansion Primary Sources
American Progress Painting (1872)
Description of Primary Source:
Class Discussion Questions:
Resources for this Primary Source:
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Westward Expansion Videos
The “Indian Problem” (Smithsonian NMAI)
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Westward Expansion Picture Books
Dandelions by Eve Bunting
Book Description:
Ideas for Using this Book:
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Westward Expansion Unit
Westward Expansion Interactive Lesson Plans
What’s included in the Westward Expansion Unit?
Westward Expansion Unit Table of Contents
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3

Content: Texas remained an independent nation until 1845 when it joined the United States after the Mexican-American War. The Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War was a conflict between Mexico and the United States. It lasted from 1846-1848. President James K. Polk wanted Texas and the Mexican lands of California and New Mexico for the United States. Under Polk’s presidency, Texas joined the United States in 1845. This angered Mexican leaders who did not recognize Texas’s independence. Furthermore, there was a disagreement about the location of the US-Mexico border. Polk sent a representative to Mexico to try to settle the debate and offer to buy California. Mexico rejected the offer. In response, Polk sent troops to the disputed Texas border region in 1846.