Westward Expansion Newspaper Project!

“Europe stretches to the Alleghenies; America lives beyond!” – Emerson

“In America, there is more space were nobody is than where somebody is!” - Stein

*DIRECTIONS: You and your group are to create a newspaper with the following criteria dealing with the westward expansion (1803-1870) of the United States of America. You will need to research the following topics in the media center, the local library, and the Internet in order to complete your newspaper successfully. You will receive a grade for this project not only in your History class, but also in your English class. Follow the specific directions below in order to complete your newspaper. (HINT: You and your group will want to divide up the work in order to compose a quality publication! You can do this on your responsibilities sheet.)

PART I: MAJOR NEWS STORIES 1803-1870 (FRONT PAGE ARTICLES)

DIRECTIONS: Below you will a find a variety of topics that would have appeared on the front page of newspapers between the years noted above. Choose topics from each section below and compose your own articles. Your articles should be written in a contemporary fashion meaning, they should read as they would have at that particular moment in history. (Example: Yesterday Lewis & Clark returned from their long journey . . .)

SECTION A: Choose from the topics listed below and write a news article for each based on your knowledge and additional research of the topic.

1. The Battle of Fallen Timbers

2. The Louisiana Purchase

3. The Lewis and Clark Expedition

4. The Battle of Tippecanoe

SECTION B: Choose from the topics listed below and write a news article for each based on your knowledge and additional research of the topic.

1. Large numbers of Americans emigrating to Texas during the 1820’s

2. Oklahoma Indian Territory and the “Trail of Tears”

3. Independence for Texas the “Lone Star Republic”

4. The Battle of the Alamo

5. The Battle of San Jacinto

SECTION C: Choose from the topics listed below and write a news article for each based on your knowledge and additional research of the topic.

1. The Oregon Trail

2. The Election of 1844

3. The annexation of Texas

4. Border of Oregon set at the 49th Parallel

SECTION D: Choose from the topics listed below and write a news article for each based on your knowledge and additional research of the topic.

1. The Mexican War (overall)

2. The Battle of Palo Alto

3. The Battle of Vera Cruz

4. The Battle of Mexico City

5. California declares independence

6. The Treaty of Guadalupe-Heldago

SECTION E: Choose from the topics listed below and write a news article for each based on your knowledge and additional research of the topic.

1. The California Gold Rush

2. The Mormons in Utah

3. The Comstock Load in Virginia City, Nevada

SECTION F: Choose from the topics listed below and write a news article for each based on your knowledge and additional research of the topic.

1. The Pony Express

2. The Homestead Act

3. The Transcontinental Railroad

4. Coast to Coast with the telegraph

5. The Credit Mobilier scandal

PART II: FEATURE STORIES (1803-1870)

DIRECTIONS: Write an in depth feature story about the topics listed below.

Choice #1: Research what life was like on the Oregon Trail. Assume the role of an on location reporter. Discuss the conditions, events, and problems the pioneers faced during their harsh journey to the Oregon Country. Be sure to include numerous details such as: Where are they headed? Where are they coming from? What has the weather been like? What sort of events have occurred during their trip? Have they suffered any illnesses? Have they been attacked by Indians? What is the geography like? Etc. While characters and events may be fictional, the story must be based on historical facts.

Choice #2: Research the Battle of the Alamo. Assume the role of an on location news reporter either inside the Alamo with its defenders, or outside the Alamo with the Mexican army. Include as many details as possible such as: What does the Alamo look like? Are there any famous people at the battle? How long does the battle last? Why is the Alamo important? You should also incude additional information of your choice.

Choice #3: You have been asked to cover a debate concerning the causes of the Mexican War between President James K. Polk and Congressman Abraham Lincoln (Illinois). What does each man say about the war? How do they believe the war began? Are they in favor of the conflict? Why or why not? You should include additional information as well.

PART III: EDITORIALS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (1803-1870)

DIRECTIONS: Choose from the topics below and write an editorial for each based on your research of the topic and your personal opinions. Be sure to give ample supporting details and background information in order to defend your position. Remember you are writing as a person at that time would have written.

1. Was the Louisiana Purchase legal under the terms of the U.S. Constitution?

2. Is the removal of Native Americans in Florida ethical, necessary, and justified?

3. Can Andrew Jackson defy the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of the Cherokee?

4. Is Jackson’s policy of only accepting payment in species (gold/silver) for western

land a good policy for the nation?

5. Is “squatting” an effective way to encourage the settlement of the West?

6. Should the federal government or the states pay for new roads and canals?

7. Is Manifest Destiny ethical, necessary, or justified?

8. “54’ 40” or Fight!” Should the United States go to war with England over

Oregon?

9. Should Texas be annexed to the union?

10. Is the war with Mexico ethical, necessary, or justified?

11. Is the Compromise of 1850 good for the United States or will it lead to more

problems?

12. After the recent scandals, should the federal government continue to give railroad

companies such as the Union Pacific free land and other benefits?

PART IV: INTERVIEWS & BIOGRAPHIES WITH FAMOUS PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD

DIRECTIONS: Choose from the individuals below and write an article about each one based on either biographical information or an interview with them. This must contain historical facts, be historically accurate, and be significant to the time period (1803-1870). For example, if you interview Thomas Jefferson, do no ask him about the Declaration of Independence (1776).

1. Thomas Jefferson 16. Nicholas Biddle 31. James Madison

2. Napoleon 17. Zachary Taylor 32. James Monroe

3. Lewis and Clark 18. Nicholas Trist 33. Oakes Ames

4. Andrew Jackson 19. Stephen Douglas 34. Franklin Pierce

5. Santa Anna 20. John Brown 35. John Tyler

6. Col. Travis 21. Robert Fulton 36. Winfield Scott

7. Samuel Houston 22. Eli Whitney 37. John Fremont

8. Davy Crockett 23. Joseph Smith 38. Stephen Kearny

9. Jim Bowie 24. Brigham Young 39. John Marshall

10. James K. Polk 25. Walt Whitman 40. Sojourner Truth

11. John C. Calhon 26. Susan B. Anthony 41. Dorthea Dix

12. Martin Van Buren 27. Fredrick Douglas 42. Samuel F.B. Morris

13. Robert Hayne 28. Daniel Webster *Others with permission

14. Henry Clay 29. Simon Bolivar

15. W. H. Harrison 30. J. Q. Adams

PART V: ADVERTISEMENTS

DIRECTIONS: Create various advertisements appropriate to the time period to include

throughout your newspaper.

Some helpful hints are listed below:

1. Homestead Act real estate 4. various guns & weapons 7. tools

2. Animals 5. various supplies 8. blue jeans

3. wagons 6. clipper ship rides west 9. Etc.

PART VI: SPORTS AND GAMES 1803-1870

DIRECTIONS: Choose from the topics below and create a sports page based on your

research. You must find information about these topics within the years 1803-1870. Do not include any information after 1870.

1. early Baseball 3. Boat Racing 5. Lawn Bowls 7. Ballown

2. Rugby 4. Biking 6. Rowing 8. Horse Racing

PART VII: FASHIONS AND COOKING

DIRECTIONS: Include the following items in your newspaper.

1. Discuss and illustrate the fashions and clothing found at any time in America between

1803 and 1870. (You should have a picture and an article.)

2. Include a recipe that was used during this time period.

PART VIII: COUNTER PERSPECTIVES

DIRECTIONS: Choose from the following Native American tribes below and write an article based on their perspectives of American westward expansion. In other words, how do these groups feel about an ever expanding America? Be sure to include details about the tribes culture, location, people, Etc.

1. Black Hawks 8. Souix 15. Crow 22. Spokan

2. Seminoles 9. Paiute 16. Walla Walla 23. others

3. Navajo 10. Pueblo 17. Yakima

4. Cherokees 11. Appachie 18. Ute

5. Chickasaws 12. Shoshone 19. Hopi

6. Creeks 13. Lakota 20. Blackfoot

7. Choctaws 14. Nez Perce 21. Mohave

* You may also choose Chinese railroad and mine workers or freed African Americans during the California Gold Rush.

PART IX: PICTURES

DIRECTIONS: Complete the following:

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Like any good newspaper, you are to include various pictures within your newspaper. Pictures can be found on the Internet or drawn by hand. They must then be placed in your paper. (Note: Pictures in advertisements do not count for this section of your newspaper.)

SOME HELPFUL INTERNET SITES:

*Below are some Internet sites that may be useful to you in the completion of your newspaper. We encourage you to use the Internet as much as possible, however make sure the information you find is credible and reliable. Some information on the Internet is erroneous. Always check your information and make note of your sources. See Mr. Gigliotti’s websites for links to many help few sites and additional information.

http://www.mrgigliotti.com (Mr. Gigliotti’s site)