The curriculum Westward Expansion: A New History explores the transformation of the North American continent in the nineteenth century. Students examine this complicated and violent history from two historical perspectives, first considering the major events and policies that accompanied U.S. westward growth, and then exploring the effects of U.S. expansion on a local level.
Videos for Readings: The videos below follow the outline of the printed curriculum unit. The headings correspond to the headings in the student readings.
Videos for Lessons accompany lessons in the teacher's guide of the printed curriculum unit.
Scholars Online: Videos for Readings
Westward Expansion: A New History
Scholars
Colin Calloway
Dartmouth College
Michael Vorenberg
Brown University
Karl Jacoby
Brown University
Introduction: Between Atlantic and Pacific
How is the term “westward expansion” problematic? [Colin Calloway - 3:00]
Part I: The Transformation of a Continent
What was the North American West like before Europeans arrived? [Colin Calloway - 1:12]
Europeans and Western North America
How did Indian societies adapt to the arrival of Europeans? [Colin Calloway - 3:14]
How did horses change the lives of Native American women? [Colin Calloway - 1:19]
U.S. Westward Expansion
How did the Constitution exclude certain groups? [Michael Vorenberg - 2:56]
Indian Removal
New Settlers in the West
Increasing Tensions and Evolving Policies
Part II: Experiencing U.S. Expansion: Southern Arizona
Why did you decide to research the groups in southern Arizona? [Karl Jacoby - 1:32]
In what ways is the southern Arizona case study unique? [Karl Jacoby - 1:12]
Native American Societies in Southern Arizona
Spanish Colonization
Changing Borders
The United States Extends Its Reach
April 1871, Apache Settlement at Camp Grant
Part III: Telling New Stories
How is the Camp Grant attack remembered by Apache people today? [Karl Jacoby - 1:32]
How has the U.S.-Mexico border changed since the nineteenth century? [Karl Jacoby - 2:22]
Silenced Voices
How is the term “westward expansion” problematic? [Colin Calloway - 3:00]
The Results of U.S. Westward Expansion
What were the major environmental effects of U.S. westward expansion? [Karl Jacoby - 1:25]
Conclusion: Telling New Stories of the Past
Why are Indian views sometimes left out of the history of the West? [Colin Calloway - 2:02]
Why is it important to think critically about history and the past? [Karl Jacoby - 1:02]