Westward Expansion in the United States

A collection chronicling some of the most significant chapters of westward expansion in the United States. 

The California Gold Rush Photo Gallery | History In A Nutshell The California Gold Rush | History In A Nutshell

Video

Grades

  • 4
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • Higher Education
The California Gold Rush | History In A Nutshell
The date of January 24, 1848 started out as a typical work day for carpenter James W. Marshall, who was tasked with constructing a water-powered sawmill in Coloma, California. While digging a channel...
The California Gold Rush Trivia Quiz | History In A Nutshell

Interactive

Grades

  • 4
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • Higher Education
The California Gold Rush Trivia Quiz | History In A Nutshell
This quiz tests your knowledge on one of the most significant chapters in western expansion in the U.S. – The California Gold Rush! The Discovery of gold in the late 1840’s transformed California into...
Who Was Sacagawea? | History In A Nutshell

Photo

Grades

  • 4
  • 8
  • Higher Education
Who Was Sacagawea? | History In A Nutshell
Note for educators regarding Sacagawea: According to scholars, the pronunciation of Sacagawea as Sak-a-JA-wee-ah is incorrect. The more historically correct way to pronounce her name is with a hard G-...
Who Was Watkuweis? | History In A Nutshell

Photo

Grades

  • 4
  • 8
  • Higher Education
Who Was Watkuweis? | History In A Nutshell
In September 1805, the starving, freezing and exhausted members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition had survived the brutal crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains. Upon arrival on the other side, the...
The Mexican American War Trivia Quiz | History In A Nutshell

Interactive

Grades

  • 4
  • 8
  • Higher Education
The Mexican American War Trivia Quiz | History In A Nutshell
This quiz tests your knowledge on a not often discussed conflict in American history – The Mexican-American War. This war remains a source of controversy due to how the U.S. acquired Mexico’s northern...
The Mexican American War | History In A Nutshell

Video

Grades

  • 4
  • 8
  • Higher Education
The Mexican American War | History In A Nutshell
President James K. Polk desired to achieve his vision of "Manifest Destiny," and sought to acquire Mexico's northern territories. Mexico had no desire to sell Alta California and Nuevo Mexico to Pres...
The Trail of Tears Trivia Quiz | History In A Nutshell

Interactive

Grades

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • Higher Education
The Trail of Tears Trivia Quiz | History In A Nutshell
This trivia quiz will test your knowledge on the history of the Indian Removal Act, or as it is more commonly known, the "Trail of Tears." How much do you know about this chapter of western expansion...
The Trail of Tears | History In A Nutshell

Video

Grades

  • 4
  • 5
  • 8
  • Higher Education
The Trail of Tears | History In A Nutshell
Join our cartoon avatar host as he takes viewers through a brief expose on the events leading up to the forced removal of Native American tribes from the eastern United States. After the American...
Trail of Tears Works Cited Page | History In A Nutshell

Document

Grades

  • 4
  • 5
  • 8
  • Higher Education
Trail of Tears Works Cited Page | History In A Nutshell
“American Experience; We Shall Remain: Trail of Tears.” GBH Archives. Web. June 22, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdlx2bT7c6I. Accessed 22 June 2022. Anderson, Dale. Westward Expansion...