Mexican War Timeline

Crossword Puzzle

Flipcard Activity

Chapter Quiz

Further resources on WebCT

Chapter Objective
The student will understand westward expansion and its political, economic, and social effects on the development of the nation.

Section 1 Trails West

• To explain the role of mountain men in the exploration and expansion of the West
• To identify reasons people went west
• To describe the opening of the Santa Fe Trail
• To describe the impact of "Oregon Fever" on westward expansion
• To profile the Mormons' westward journey

James P. Beckwourth and the Mythology of the West http://historytogo.utah.gov/ beckwourth.html
Site contains biography and other information about Jim Beckwourth.

The Interactive Santa Fe Trail http://www.ku.edu/ heritage/ research/ sft/
Interesting activities and information about the Santa Fe Trail.

The True Story of the Sagers http://www.nps.gov/ whmi/ educate/ whmitg/ 3whmi4.htm
A detailed story of the Sager family's journey west.

SECTION 2 The Texas Revolution

• To profile Texas under Spanish rule
• To explain the tension between Texansand Tejanos
• To summarize the war between Texasand Mexico
• To explain that Texas became its own country

Battle of San Jacinto http://www.lsjunction.com/ events/ jacinto.htm
Brief description of the battle that won Texas its independence from Mexico.

Sam Houston http://www.lsjunction.com/ people2/ houston.htm
Short biography of Houston and his career in Texas.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna http://www.lsjunction.com/ people2/ santanna.htm
Brief biography of the Mexican leader.

The Alamo http://www.thealamo.org
Comprehensive site containing an interactive map of the Alamo grounds, a complete list of the Alamo's defenders, and historical information.

SECTION 3 The War with Mexico

• To explain the origins of manifest destiny
• To describe how the Mexican War began
• To describe American actions in California, New Mexico, and Mexico
• To detail the peace agreement with Mexico and territory gained by the United States

–James K. Polk: Eleventh President, 18451849 http://www.whitehouse.gov/ history/ presidents/ jp11.html
Brief biography, summarizing the history of the boundary dispute with Britain and the U.S. acquisition of California and New Mexico.

Bear Flag Republic http://www.sonomavalley.com/ html/ bear_flag.php
In this "Quick History of the Sonoma Valley" from the Sonoma Valley Vistors Bureau is information on early inhabitants, the Mexican mission, and the Bear Flag Republic. Follow the links for more indepth information.

SECTION 4 The California Gold Rush

• To describe California before the gold rush
• To summarize the activities occurring during the gold rush
• To describe life in the mining camps
• To analyze the impact of the gold rush on California

Gold Rush! California's Untold Stories http://www.museumca.org/ goldrush/ index.html
From the Oakland Museum of California, this virtual tour of their Gold Rush exhibit includes extensive and rare photographs and paintings, gold rush history, and voices from participants. Its coverage of Native Americans, Chinese, African Americans, and Latinos is of particular interest.

The Gold Rush http://www.pbs.org/ goldrush
Fun facts, interesting stories, and useful activities about the gold rush on this PBS site.