Manifest Destiny

Class should begin by explaining the instructions verbally with the class. Expect this lesson to take the entire class period, so students have adequate time to read, place the documents, and discuss.

Students will begin by reading and analyzing the different primary source documents that are included in the activity.

• Students should take notes where necessary, including writing down titles and dates.

Students will then place each of the primary sources on the Westward Expansion Map. The map is outlined with all the territories that the United States has acquired, and students should place the documents inside there appropriate outline.

• Please note that a couple of the sources are two pages, so make sure to place both pages within the outline.
• The outlines also have helpful historical hints, so that students place the documents in the correct place.

Once students are done then they should move to the “When You’re Done” tab, where they will answer the questions that the are listed. Which includes:Now think about these questions, and be prepared to discuss with the class:

• Did the U.S. obtain all of its land in the same way?
• Are there any connections between the sources?
• Instead of a typed Map Title there is an painting meant to represent the title.
  • What do you believe this painting is supposed to mean?
  • What are some of the different things you can see in the painting?
  • What title would you have given then map?
• Which of the territories was the last the the United States brought into the union?

Finally, once everyone has finished the map and done the questions, move into a class discussion to talk about the answers that students have.

Citation for the Mexican Cession Map of 1848:

Maccoun, Townsend. An historical geography of the United States. [New York, Boston etc. Silver, Burdett & company, 1911] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/11031776/.