A comprehensive C3 Inquiry lesson that guides students to analyze physical and political maps of the United States to discover how geography, economics, and politics drove westward expansion. Students use maps and short primary sources to answer the compelling question: 'Does the map dictate the path?'
"The mountains rose like jagged walls of obsidian and snow... We were forced to locate South Pass—the only natural gateway through this rocky fortress. Without this geographic corridor, our wagon train would be utterly destroyed by winter."
Physical Reality
Nature left limited pathways. Travelers had to find and use physical passes.
Discussion
How did the Rockies dictate where people walked?
Unit: Westward Expansion & Geography Slide 6 of 9
Source 2: The Golden Siren
Economic Factors
Notice of Gold Discovery (1848)
"Gold has been found in immense quantities! The fields are yielding fortune to any man with a pan and shovel. Storekeepers and farmers are leaving their jobs to seek fortunes in California's river basins."
Profit Motives
The promise of gold overrode physical safety. Thousands took dangerous routes for economic gain.
Discussion
Does profit make mountains look smaller to an explorer?
Unit: Westward Expansion & Geography Slide 7 of 9
Source 3: The Federal Promise
Political Factors
Excerpts from the Homestead Act (1862)
"Be it enacted... that any person who is the head of a family... shall be entitled to enter one quarter-section of unappropriated public lands... and obtain a patent for 160 acres after residing upon and cultivating the same for five years."
Legal Incentives
The federal government legally gave away land to secure territories and establish political authority.
Discussion
Why did the government want families on plains, not just forts?
Unit: Westward Expansion & Geography Slide 8 of 9
The Inquiry Verdict
Synthesis
Answer with Evidence
"How did the United States develop as a nation geographically?"
PHYSICAL (Geography Dictates)
Physical barriers (mountains, rivers, plains) left humans with zero choice. If they missed passes, they failed. Natural geology was the absolute master.
HUMAN (Economic/Political Rules)
Political deals (Homestead Act) and economic gold pulls altered paths. Humans bypassed geography with railroads, tunnels, and treaties.
Prepare your final arguments on your worksheet! Slide 9 of 9
Source 3:
The Homestead Act (1862)
4 Part D: The Final Inquiry Verdict
Synthesize your findings. Use at least one piece of geographical map evidence and one piece of textual source evidence to answer the compelling question.
Compelling Question: "How did the United States develop as a nation geographically?"
