Westward Expansion Through Maps

                             Westward Expansion Through Maps

                       
When the United States won its independence from Great Britain at the end of the Revolutionary War, the country nearly doubled in size. The Treaty of Paris, signed with the British in 1783, provided for the expansion of the young nation west to the Mississippi River.

After 1783, the United States gained new land from European countries, neighboring countries (such as Mexico), and Indian tribes. This was done through purchases (paying for it), wars and treaties, and the forced removal of Indian tribes from the lands they had occupied for thousands of years.

The 13 original British colonies became the country's first states, but they were not the same size and shape as they are today. It took more than 176 years — from 1783 to 1959 — for all 50 states to become part of the United States of America.


Your task: Today you will begin learning about Western Expansion through maps

Current map of USA


1. Visit the Map of the US in 1800 US in 1800 .


Draw a T-chart in your content area notebooks with the following headings "Current Map of USA" and "USA in the 1800s"
Write down your observations about each map under each heading.

Then write a short response to this question: Compare and contrast the geography of the United States in 1800 and today in 2014? (What are the similarities and differences)

2. Now visit the map of the USA in 1860 US in 1860.Write a short response to the following question in your content area notebooks: What new information are you learning as you look at this map?

You can use the following thinking prompt to help you.
When I look at the map, I am noticing____(describe details on the map)____. This is making me realize___________________________.

3. Use the map to brainstorm and jot down some ideas in your notebooks on what was the Louisiana Purchase.

4. Next begin research using box and bullets on the following topic: The Louisiana Purchase.

1. What was it?
2. When did it occur?
3. Who were involved?
4. Why did it occur?
5. How did it occur?

Use the following resources to help you in your research:
Ducksters
Social Studies for Kids
History.com
monticello.org
US history
Geography.com
American History
Mrnussbaum.com/
Pbs.org

5. Visit the following map map of US rivers and click geological features to see the various rivers in the United States.

Examine the major rivers in the Louisiana territory. How is this map helping you to understand why Thomas Jefferson wanted to acquire the Louisiana Territory from the French?