Unit 6-Expansion & Manifest Destiny (1836-1850) |
Big Ideas
Organizing Principle
- During the “Reign of Jackson”, politics became more democratic, the power of the presidency and the federal government increased, America became more optimistic and expansionist, and sectionalism supplanted nationalism.
Essential Questions
Students will consider...
- To what extent did the frontier experience define what it means to be an American?
- Was the Mexican American War and the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny justifiable?
- How did westward expansion create political conflict and compromise?
- How did Americans create and overcome challenges along the Western frontier?
- To what extent did westward movement and settlement of various groups fulfill the promises of freedom and prosperity along the frontier?
Understandings
Students will understand how, why and/or to what extent...
- Geographic, political, and economic growth can influence policy and create political conflict and compromise.
- As a nation expands and prospers, some individuals, groups, and regions may benefit while others may experience loss, discrimination, and oppression.
- Diverse individuals and groups that settle into a particular region shape the cultural identity of that region.
- Individual risks, aspirations and ingenuity often lead to innovation, economic development and progress.
Knowledge
Students will know...
- The social, political, and economic motivations behind American westward expansion.
- The effects of westward expansion on domestic policy and its impacts of various demographic groups, including Native Americans, Mexicans, and slaves.
- The impact of various diplomatic treaties and agreements and how they enabled westward expansion, economic development and nationalism.
- That westward movement and settlement of various groups fulfilled or denied the promises of freedom and prosperity along the frontier.
Skills
Students will be able to...
- Use Historical Analysis and Interpretation to determine the values and ideas that were central to the concept of Manifest Destiny.
- Use Historical Analysis and Interpretation to consider multiple perspectives of various peoples along the Western frontier by demonstrating their differing motives, beliefs, interests, hopes, and fears.
- Use Historical Comprehension to determine the historical context of expansion and how Manifest Destiny defined what it meant to be an American.
- Use Chronological Thinking to identify instances of historical change and continuity during the period of Manifest Destiny (1836-1850).