Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Manifest Destiny

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

10

Overview

This article from Khan Academy provides an overview of Manifest Destiny. In the mid-nineteenth century, newspaper editor John O'Sullivan coined the term "manifest destiny" to describe the belief that God intended for the United States to occupy North America from Atlantic to Pacific. Students can read the article as an introduction to a lesson on expansionism prior to the Civil War and answer the questions at the end of the article as an assessment.  The article can be read in a whole group setting or individually. It can be assigned through Google Classroom.

    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.]

    Unpacked Content

    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.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Informational Material

    Resource Provider

    Other

    Resource Provider other

    Khan Academy
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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