Westward Expansion Topics
Subtopics What Was Westward Expansion Important Leaders/People Events/Battles Other Assignments/Activities
Student Resources
What Was Westward Expansion?
What Was Westward Expansion? In the 1800s, many Americans believed the United States should grow across the North American continent. This movement is called Westward Expansion. Some people believed this growth was part of the nation’s Manifest Destiny, the idea that the United States had a special mission to spread its land, government, and way …
What Was the American Revolution?
In the 1760s, most colonists in British North America were proud to be British. They respected the king, valued the British Constitution, and believed they had the same rights as people living in Britain. That is what makes the American Revolution so surprising. In just a little more than a decade, many of those same …
Who Were the Hollywood Ten?
During the Second Red Scare, many Americans feared that communists were influencing the United States. This fear spread into the entertainment industry, especially in Hollywood. One of the most famous events of this time involved a group known as the Hollywood Ten. HUAC and Hollywood In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) began …
What Was the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)?
During the Second Red Scare, many Americans feared that communists had secretly entered the United States government and society. One group created to investigate these fears was the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). HUAC played a major role in spreading fear and suspicion during the Cold War. The Rise of Anticommunism After World War …
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Who were Julius and Ethel Rosenberg?
Who Were the Rosenbergs? During the Second Red Scare, Americans feared that communist spies were secretly working inside the United States. One of the most famous and controversial cases involved Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. The Accusation Julius Rosenberg had worked at a U S Army laboratory during World War II, where he had access …
Alger Hiss and the Pumpkin Papers
Who Was Alger Hiss? During the Second Red Scare, many Americans feared that communists had secretly entered the United States government. One of the most important and shocking cases involved Alger Hiss. A Government Official Alger Hiss was one of the highest ranking officials ever accused of spying for the Soviet Union. He worked …
How Did McCarthyism Spread Fear in the United States?
A Red Scare is a time when people have a strong fear of communism and believe it is a threat to their country. In the United States, there were two major Red Scares. The first began after World War I, when Americans feared anarchists, immigrants, and radical political ideas. Decades later, during the Cold War, …
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Unit Guide for Daily Warm-Ups
This simple guide helps teachers structure each unit with daily warm-ups. These questions are designed to supplement your lesson plans while supporting engagement, review, and critical thinking. Unit 1: Colonial Foundations and the American Revolution Week 1 Monday: Why did people move from Europe to the American colonies? Tuesday: How did geography (New England, Middle, …
Why Was the Space Race Important?
The Space Race was an important part of the Cold War, which lasted from about 1947 to 1991. It was a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve major successes in space exploration. Each country wanted to prove that its science, technology, and political system were superior. Why the Space …