Examining the Transcontinental Railroad

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

5

Overview

This is a collection of photographs of the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. The images depict the importance of improved transportation for westward expansion. The collection also includes an interactive sorting game.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 5

SS10.5.13

Describe social and economic influences on United States’ expansion prior to World War I.

UP:SS10.5.13

Vocabulary

  • social influences
  • economic influences
  • expansion
  • transcontinental railroads
  • Manifest Destiny
  • geographic features
  • acquired
  • Westward Expansion
  • ranchers
  • Mormons
  • Hispanics
  • frontier
  • emergence

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Social and economic influences on United States' expansion prior to World War I.
  • How the development of transcontinental railroads contributed to the expansion of the United States and related to the concept of Manifest Destiny.
  • Details related to how the United States acquired Alaska and Hawaii.
  • Major groups and individuals involved with the Westward Expansion, including farmers, ranchers, Jewish merchants, Mormons, and Hispanics.
  • The impact of closing the frontier on American Indians' way of life.
  • The Spanish-American War led to the emergence of the United States as a world power.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Locate states and capitals on a physical and political map.
  • Describe and explain social and economic influences on the United States expansion.
  • Explain and evaluate the concept of Manifest Destiny.
  • Describe and explain how the development of the transcontinental railroads helped the United States achieve its Manifest Destiny.
  • Identify and analyze the impact of Manifest Destiny on a variety of cultural groups.
  • Explain and analyze how the Spanish-American War led to the United States becoming a world power.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were social, political, and economic influences on United States prior to World War I.

CR Resource Type

Informational Material

Resource Provider

Smithsonian Learning Lab

License Type

Custom
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