History GCSE American West

History Home Page

BHS Home 
 Site Map
   
Page last updated



Lesson Details & links Key Words         
Assessed work / further work / QMA  My Learning



   An introduction to the American West

           
    1
The Great Plains of the 19th Century
Structure of the course. Great American Desert. Students should understand the America of 200yrs ago and key definitions
PowerPoint 'The Real West' KZH







2 - 3
The Plains Indians and their environment
How did the Sioux adapt to life on the Plains? How did they use the Plains? Importance of the Horse
PowerPoint 'The Tipi' KZH

           
4
 The beliefs of the Plains Indians
The Sun Dance, Medicine Man, Wakan Tanka, Circle etc.
PowerPoint 'Warfare' KZH

           
    5
The Importance of the Buffalo - Key to survival
What each part of the Buffalo was used for. Gender roles regarding the Buffalo hunt.
(Dances with Wolves)
PowerPoint 'The Buffalo' KZH







    6
Everyday life
Typical Indian lifestyle.
The role of women.
Law and Order.







    7
The Reason for White settlement on the Plains
 
Why people moved West. Introduce the concept of Manifest Destiny - Divine Providence Painting. (Students must appreciate its relevance in the context of movement onto the Plains)
PowerPoint 'Manifest Destiny' KZH
PowerPoint 'Manifest Destiny' KZH








Early Movers and Settlers - Who went West?







    8
The Mountain Men (Jim Bridger) What job did they have?
What was their lifestyle like?.
Rendezvous
Cannibal






  9-10
The First Pioneers
(Investigate Journey West: 'The Emigrant's Guide to Travelling to Oregon and California'  1846 The Donner Party)







   11-13
The Mormons
Beliefs and Practices. Attitudes towards them - (anti Mormon cartoons).
Joseph Smith.1831-1846 Kirkland, Missouri and Nauvoo.
Brigham Young and his decision to move west
Life in Salt Lake City - problems/successes/failures
Comparison of Smith and Young
Polygamy
P.E.Fund






   14-15
The 49ers  Political, Economic and Social Effects
Consider
: initial hopes, journey West, life and work in the towns, attitudes to racial minorities.
Differences between Speculators and Professional Miners.







   16-20
Settlers: Homesteaders  - Push and Pull Factors
What motives did Homesteaders have for settlement?
What did US Government do to encourage Homesteaders?
Problems and Solutions of living and farming on Plains
Role of women
Civil War
Sod house
Timber Act







  

21-24
The Cattle Kingdom
Origins of Ranching and the need for Cattle Drives
Problems, dangers and difficulties of the Cattle Drive
Success of Open Range 
Factors that contributed to the end of Open Range - Winter 1886/7
Goodnight
McCoy
Abilene








   25
Who were the Cowboys?
Suitability of clothing
What was his job?
Hero or Villain?
Stetson
Spurs
Saddle







Law and Order - Were Vigilantes the Answer?







  26
Why was the West so violent? Stereotypical view of the West







  27
Typical problems: Bank Robbery/Claim Jumping/Cattle Rustling. specific example - The Johnson County War







  28
Gunslingers: Butch Cassidy/Jesse James







  29
How did Vigilantes try to solve the problem of Law and Order?







  30
Would you Pardon Billy the Kid? Source Work







 
Communications







  31
Wells Fargo and the Pony Express







  32
Railroads - What problems did Railroad Companies face?
Promontory Point






  33
The Impact of the Railroads. Who benefited and who lost out?







 
The Struggle for the Great Plains







  34
Reintroduce Manifest Destiny







  35
Why were Indians a problem for American Government?
Lifestyle of Indian v White
Treaties






  36
Sand Creek: Victory or Massacre?







  37
Small Reservations - a peaceful solution?







38-40
Custer and The Battle of Little Big Horn
Refer back to Fort Laramie Treaty 1868 - Gold in the Black Hills
Custer's Last Stand
What really happened at Big Horn?
Sitting Bull
General Terry






  41
Was it really a success for the Indians?







  42
The Ghost Dance - The Battle of Wounded knee
Wokova






43-45
The End of the Struggle - Reservations
Analysis - The reasons why the Indians struggled to survive: Political
                                                                                          Economic
                                                                                          Religious
                                                                                          Education
Dawes Act







Revision  .... and more revision