Movement and Migration: The Gold Nugget That Launched the Gold Rush

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

10

Overview

In this lesson, students examine the gold nugget which began the California Gold Rush to understand the westward expansion and the idea of Manifest Destiny. This resource includes additional resources for the California Gold Rush.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 10 - United States History I

SS10.US1.7

Describe causes, courses, and consequences of United States’ expansionism prior to the Civil War, including the Treaty of Paris of 1783, the Northwest Ordinance of 1785, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the Louisiana Purchase, the Indian Removal Act, the Trail of Tears, Manifest Destiny, the Mexican War and Cession, Texas Independence, the acquisition of Oregon, the California Gold Rush, and the Western Trails. [A.1.a., A.1.c., A.1.e., A.1.f., A.1.g., A.1.i., A.1.j.]

UP:SS10.US1.7

Vocabulary

  • interpretation
  • Ordinance
  • expansionism
  • Manifest Destiny

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The causes of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • The courses of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • The consequences of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • Causes and effects of documents related to U.S. expansionism prior to the Civil War, including the Treaty of Paris of 1783, the Northwest Ordinance of 1785, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Indian Removal Act Causes and effects of vital events and ideas related to expansionism prior to the Civil War, including the Trail of Tears, Manifest Destiny, the Mexican War and Cession, Texas Independence, the acquisition of Oregon, the California Gold Rush, and the Western Trails.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Locate points on a map.
  • Describe causes, courses, and consequences of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • Analyze primary sources relating to the United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • Analyze key events and ideas that influenced U.S. expansionism prior to the Civil War.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many causes, courses, and consequences of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Smithsonian

License Type

Custom
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