California Content Standards for Social Science, 8th Grade US History:
8.8 Students analyze the divergent paths of the American people in the West from 1800 to the mid-1800's and the challenges they faced.
2. Describe the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives associated with westward expansion, including the concept of Manifest Destiny (e.g., the Lewis and Clark expedition, accounts of the removal of Indians, the Cherokees’ “Trail of Tears,” settlement of the Great Plains) and the territorial acquisitions that spanned numerous decades
5. Discuss Mexican settlements and their locations, cultural traditions, attitudes toward slavery, land-grant system, and economies.
6. Describe the Texas War for Independence and the Mexican-American War, including territorial settlements, the aftermath of the wars, and the effects the wars had on the lives of Americans, including Mexican Americans today
8.9 Students analyze the early and steady attempts to abolish slavery and to realize the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.
4. Discuss the importance of the slavery issue as raised by the annexation of Texas and California’s admission to the union as a free state under the Compromise of 1850.
8.8 Students analyze the divergent paths of the American people in the West from 1800 to the mid-1800's and the challenges they faced.
2. Describe the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives associated with westward expansion, including the concept of Manifest Destiny (e.g., the Lewis and Clark expedition, accounts of the removal of Indians, the Cherokees’ “Trail of Tears,” settlement of the Great Plains) and the territorial acquisitions that spanned numerous decades
5. Discuss Mexican settlements and their locations, cultural traditions, attitudes toward slavery, land-grant system, and economies.
6. Describe the Texas War for Independence and the Mexican-American War, including territorial settlements, the aftermath of the wars, and the effects the wars had on the lives of Americans, including Mexican Americans today
8.9 Students analyze the early and steady attempts to abolish slavery and to realize the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.
4. Discuss the importance of the slavery issue as raised by the annexation of Texas and California’s admission to the union as a free state under the Compromise of 1850.
Big Ideas/Goals:
- Learn about Manifest Destiny, and how an idea moved a nation.
- Understand the diverse motives for westward expansion.
- Explore the ideas and perspectives of Native Americans and Mexicans.
- The development of the border
- The Mexican-American War, and its Legacy.
- Connecting westward expansion to the issue of slavery.
- Political, social, economic, religious, and racial ideas during the 1800 to mid 1800's.
Student Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the position of pro and anti expansionists, and list three reasons cited for or against westward expansion.
- Synthesize the consequences westward expansion had on Native Americans, and Mexicans.
- During a close reading activity, students will analyze and summarize primary documents to understand how Manifest Destiny influenced the mood of the nation, and list, at lest, three ways the idea influenced westward expansion.
- Students will evaluate evidence and summarize arguments for or against the war with Mexico.
- Students will be able to synthesize the perspective of Native American, and Mexicans to American expansion and the war.
- To understand how an idea influenced a nation, Students will evaluate primary documents, interpret their meaning and participate in a class debate.
- Students will be able to evaluate, critically analyze primary and secondary source documents, and will discern from fact and opinion.
- Students will be able to discuss and identify cultural traditions, and type of economies in the southwest region from the 1800's until The 1850's.
Unit Summary:
The lesson teaches eighth grade US history students about the Mexican-American War through the idea of Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny became a moving ideology in the 19th century. It became the driving justification for westward expansion. For a multicultural perspective, it incorporates the point of view of Mexicans, and Native-Americans, and anti-expansionists. This will be done by reading and analyzing primary source documents. Students will also sharpen their research and oratory skills by participating in a Class debate on the war with Mexico. In the debate, students will defend their position with facts and present them in a clear, and professional manner. The debate will also function as a summative assessment.
The lesson teaches eighth grade US history students about the Mexican-American War through the idea of Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny became a moving ideology in the 19th century. It became the driving justification for westward expansion. For a multicultural perspective, it incorporates the point of view of Mexicans, and Native-Americans, and anti-expansionists. This will be done by reading and analyzing primary source documents. Students will also sharpen their research and oratory skills by participating in a Class debate on the war with Mexico. In the debate, students will defend their position with facts and present them in a clear, and professional manner. The debate will also function as a summative assessment.