Manifest Destiny - Reasons for Westward Expansion

Manifest Destiny - Reasons for Westward Expansion

By Michelle Thomas

​You have 60 seconds to ask as many questions as possible about this visual. Questions only, even if you know the answer!

Open Ended

The following words are synonyms for the term "MANIFEST."

Evident ~ Obvious ~ Apparent ~ Clear ~ Visible

The following words are synonyms for the term "DESTINY."

Fate ~ Fortune ~ Luck ~ Future

Select one word from each list to create YOUR definition for Manifest Destiny.

Type it below

Why did this religious group move west?​

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Mormonism (a religion) began in New York. People in the east treated the Mormons badly, because of their religious beliefs. Mormons were harassed and many of their homes were set on fire. Due to religious discrimination, the Mormons agreed it was best for them to leave their original settlements in New York, Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois.  The Mormons traveled across the desert – 12,000 people – and established a community in Utah.

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Mormons

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Multiple Choice

Why did the Mormons move westward to Utah?

• To search for gold

• to escape religious persecution

• to buy better land

• to fulfill the goals of President Polk

Multiple Choice

Mormons moved westward because they believed in

• the pursuit of happiness

• individual wealth

• religious freedom

• national security

“The gold fever is reaching its peak. Soldiers are deserting their ranks, sailors are leaving their ships, and everybody is quitting their jobs, to speed to the California gold mines. In an instant, an area that never deserved much notice from the world has become the center of universal attraction.”                                                  -The Hartford Daily Courant

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​Miners

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Multiple Choice

What are miners looking for in California?

• Coal

• Corn

• Gold

• Cotton

Multiple Choice

Where was gold first discovered?

• Textile Mill

• Sutter's Mill

• Texas Mill

• Old Man Mill

Multiple Choice

What year was gold discovered in the west?

• 1849

• 1850

• 1949

• 1861

Multiple Choice

What was the population of San Francisco, California in 1850?

• 56,802

• 149,473

• 515,547

• 0

Multiple Choice

What was the population of San Francisco, California in 1860?

• 56,802

• 149,473

• 515,547

• 0

”We were looking for cheap land to farm and we wanted the chance to own our own property, so we packed up and left. Our journey, with a few exceptions, was pleasing and prosperous until we reached Fort Hall; then we were within 800 miles of Oregon City. Our family was the first that started into the canyon…The canyon was strewn with dead cattle, broken wagons, beds, clothing and everything but provisions that we needed….Winter had set in.”

-Sally Jones​

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Poor Families

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Multiple Choice

Poor families moving west is a(n) _____________ reason for Manifest Destiny

• Economic

• Religious

• Safety

• Political

Cites on the east coast were very crowded. Populations increased dramatically (by 18 million in just 50 years) during the Industrial Revolution leaving many Americans living in crime-infested cities. Land in Northern region was also very expensive. This meant most Americans could not afford to purchase land in this region. To make matters worse, many places in the United States were having economic panics. Due to these population increases, expensive land and economic struggles, many Americans supported Manifest Destiny.

Escaping the City

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a reason Americans supported Manifest Destiny?

• escaping the crowded city

• the desire to own land

• escaping poverty

• the desire to work in a factory

Open Ended

Identify THREE reasons people moved west.

Poll

The Catholics supported Manifest Destiny and moved westward to Utah.

• True

• False