PBL+Expansion


 * Expansion Assignment/Directions **
 * Total Points: 45 **

The United States gained independence from Great Britain in 1783, but didn't expand upon its initial borders until 1803. However, from 1803 to 1853, the United States expanded rapidly, taking the continental shape we know today (after 1853, the US still expanded, but mostly outside of North America). How did we expand? What effects (short term and long term) were associated with this expansion?


 * PBL Assignment **
 * 1) Mr. Williams will introduce American Expansion (1803-1853 and 1867-1917). Students will look at John Gast's //American Progress// and comment using Today's Meet.
 * 2) Assignment: Expansion and Growth - initial website search on National Atlas ( TOPICS: Louisiana Purchase, Florida, Texas, Oregon, Mexican Cession, Gadsden Purchase, Midway Islands, Alaska, and Hawaii)
 * Students then research the __these questions:__
 * You will need to show your classmates where your acquisition area was. **(3 points)**
 * If you want the image to appear in the post do this: [[image=[|http://urladdress]]]
 * When did the United States acquire the area. **(2 points)**
 * Why did the United States desire the area. **(5 points)**
 * How did the United States acquire the area. **(5 points)**
 * In what ways did the acquisition affect the United States or people living within its borders. **(5 points)**
 * You can use various sources, but your textbook and "Digital History" (be sure to check out "documents" and "textbook") might be good starting points.
 * 1) When you have finished researching your expanded area, please post your your four responses in the [|discussion room].
 * 2) Students together in small groups contemplate the following questions:
 * 3) Which expansion positively affected the United States (as a country) the most?
 * 4) Which expansion negatively affected the United States (as a country or any of the people living within its new borders) the most?
 * 5) On the exam you will write two short paragraphs that answer the above questions


 * Video: Empire Upon the Trails **


 * 1) Please complete the question worksheet that accompanies the film "Empire Upon the Trails". This film discusses different stories associated with the settlement of The West (this can really mean anything West of the MIssissippi River). **(10 points)**


 * Exam: Constitution and Expansion **


 * 1) There will be multiple choice questions
 * 2) You will write the two short answer questions mentioned above (15 points).