WebQuest

Westward Expansion

Process

Manifest Destiny

(Journal Project)

For this project, you will pretend to be a western pioneer striving to fulfill your dream of western land ownership. You will create a journal documenting your journey west. Journal entries should be written in the first person. You are writing about your experiences, feelings, knowledge, and discoveries as you journey into the west.Each entry should be signed at the end and include the month, day, and year it was made.The journal should be organized in chronological order.The journal construction should be time period appropriate.You will choose two entries that best represent the experiences of a pioneer during this time period to share with the class on an assigned day.

Presentation Choices

Florida Cession (1819)

Texas Annexation (1845)

Oregon Territory (1846)

Mexican Cession (1848)

Gadsden Purchase (1853)

California (1849)

Utah (1850)

Project Requirements

For this project, you will pretend to be a western pioneer striving to fulfill your dream of western land ownership. You will create a journal documenting your journey west.

Journal entries should be written in the first person. You are writing about your experiences, feelings, knowledge, and discoveries as you journey into the west.

Each entry should be signed at the end and include the month, day, and year it was made.

The journal should be organized in chronological order.

The journal construction should be time period appropriate.

You will choose two entries that best represent the experiences of a pioneer during this time period to share with the class on an assigned day.

Required Topics

Topic #1 � Motivation

 Introduce yourself�name, characteristics, etc. Are you traveling alone/with family/group. Why have you chosen to do so?

 Choose a particular territory to journey to and explain your reason or motivation for moving west.Possible reasons: overcrowding, adventure, farming, natural resources, mining, ranching, start anew life, manufacturing�

 Be sure to name your starting location and where you hope to end up.

 Minimum 2 paragraphs

Topic #2 � Manifest Destiny

 What is �manifest destiny� and how has it influenced you to travel to the west and expand American territory? How does it relate to the intent or purpose of the Monroe Doctrine?

 Minimum 1 paragraph

Topic #3 � Annexation

 When and how did the United States obtain the western land you are traveling to?

 Be sure to describe at least one major event.

 Minimum 1 paragraph

Topic #4 � Person/Group

 What person or group helped to obtain the western land you are seeking?

 Describe the significant actions this person or group took.

 Why was it important for the United States to make the land part of the country?

 Minimum 1 to 2 paragraphs

Topic #5 � Supplies & Transportation

 What supplies will you need to take with you on your journey? Create a chart showing the supplies you will need and the quantity you are taking.

 What will be your mode and method of transportation? Possible choices: wagon train,horseback, railroad (to a certain geographical point), Oregon Trail, California Trail, by river, by guides. Give a brief explanation of your transportation choice and why you have chosen it.Include a sketch of what you are using for your transportation.

 What types of transportation or supply problems did you run into during your journey? Possible ideas: Indians, buffalo, disease, rough and rugged terrain, death, starvation. Give some explanation regarding these problems and how they effected your journey

 Integrated throughout

Topic #6 � Terrain

 As you cross the country, what types of geographical terrain and features do you encounter?

 Describe the Plains Region, Rocky Mountain Region, and the land in which you decide to settle.How do you cross rivers? What is the land and climate like? Include a sketch of a plant and an animal that is new to your? What geographical conflicts arose that made it difficult to get to your destination.

 Integrated throughout each of your entries.

Topic #7 � Happily Ever After�

 Is your dream still alive? Are you (and the others who came with you) still alive? In other words�are you still motivated to achieve the goals and dreams you had when you first began your journey? Explain why and how.

 What is your hope for the future of America and for the future generations of Americans as they travel westward? Possibilities: industrialization, farming, ranching, free/slave land, boom towns,mining, war/peace/compromise.