Activity Overview
Before or after studying the United States' territorial expansion, students will want to have a good idea of the sequence of events and the steps America took to increase their land holdings. Using a timeline, students will be able to visualize each event and see how it fits in the narrative of westward expansion.
Students should begin with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, and note and explain major acquisitions between 1803 and today, such as Florida, Texas, the Mexican Cession, Oregon, and for connective purposes, include the modern acquisitions of Hawaii and Alaska (both of which became states in 1959). Students will be able to analyze and explain major concepts such as manifest destiny, war, foreign relations, and culture.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
Westward Expansion Timeline Events
- 1803 - Louisiana Purchase
- 1819 - Florida Acquisitions
- 1836 - Texas Achieves Independence
- 1846 - Oregon Territory
- 1848 - Mexican Cession
- 1959 - Alaska and Hawaii Become States
Extended Activity
Have students create a timeline storyboard on post 1850s land acquisitions to exemplify America’s imperialist period. Students should include acquisitions of territories, protectorates, and wherever else America has held influence. Places that could be included: Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines.Hawaii and Alaska could also be re-introduced and explained.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline outlining the United States' major land acquisitions from 1803 to 1959.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add additional cells as necessary.
- Identify each important acquisition and type them into the titles of each cell.
- Write a summary of the acquisition and conflicts in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
Activity Overview
Before or after studying the United States' territorial expansion, students will want to have a good idea of the sequence of events and the steps America took to increase their land holdings. Using a timeline, students will be able to visualize each event and see how it fits in the narrative of westward expansion.
Students should begin with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, and note and explain major acquisitions between 1803 and today, such as Florida, Texas, the Mexican Cession, Oregon, and for connective purposes, include the modern acquisitions of Hawaii and Alaska (both of which became states in 1959). Students will be able to analyze and explain major concepts such as manifest destiny, war, foreign relations, and culture.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
Westward Expansion Timeline Events
- 1803 - Louisiana Purchase
- 1819 - Florida Acquisitions
- 1836 - Texas Achieves Independence
- 1846 - Oregon Territory
- 1848 - Mexican Cession
- 1959 - Alaska and Hawaii Become States
Extended Activity
Have students create a timeline storyboard on post 1850s land acquisitions to exemplify America’s imperialist period. Students should include acquisitions of territories, protectorates, and wherever else America has held influence. Places that could be included: Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines.Hawaii and Alaska could also be re-introduced and explained.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline outlining the United States' major land acquisitions from 1803 to 1959.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add additional cells as necessary.
- Identify each important acquisition and type them into the titles of each cell.
- Write a summary of the acquisition and conflicts in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How Tos about Westward Expansion Timeline (1803-1959)
Organize a Westward Expansion Gallery Walk for Deeper Student Engagement
Set up a gallery walk by displaying student-created timelines or posters around your classroom. Allow students to walk around, view each other's work, and leave feedback or sticky notes with comments and questions. This interactive format encourages students to engage with multiple perspectives and reinforces their understanding of key events.
Assign students to create timelines in small groups
Divide your class into small groups and assign each group a specific time period or region. This fosters collaboration and helps students dive deeper into particular parts of westward expansion while building teamwork skills.
Provide clear instructions and timeline templates
Give students easy-to-follow directions and offer a variety of timeline templates. Having options ensures all students can participate successfully and creatively, regardless of their skill level.
Encourage students to include visuals and primary sources
Ask students to add images, maps, or quotes from primary sources to their timelines. Visuals and authentic materials make the history more vivid and meaningful for students.
Facilitate a whole-class reflection after the gallery walk
Lead a class discussion where students share what they learned and reflect on patterns or surprises they noticed. This collective reflection helps cement understanding and encourages critical thinking about westward expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions about Westward Expansion Timeline (1803-1959)
What is a Westward Expansion timeline and why is it important for students?
A Westward Expansion timeline visually shows key events in America's territorial growth from the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 to the statehood of Alaska and Hawaii in 1959. It helps students understand the sequence and impact of each acquisition, making complex history easier to grasp.
How can I teach US territorial expansion using a timeline activity?
You can have students create a timeline poster or digital storyboard, marking each major land acquisition (like Texas, Oregon, and the Mexican Cession). Encourage them to summarize each event, add visuals, and explain the significance of each step in America's growth.
What are the major land acquisitions to include in a US Westward Expansion lesson?
Key acquisitions to cover include the Louisiana Purchase (1803), Florida (1819), Texas Independence (1836), Oregon Territory (1846), Mexican Cession (1848), and statehood for Alaska and Hawaii (1959).
What concepts should students analyze when studying the Westward Expansion timeline?
Students should explore Manifest Destiny, war and conflict, foreign relations, and the cultural impact of expansion. These concepts show how territorial growth shaped American identity and global influence.
What is an engaging extension activity for teaching US land acquisitions after 1850?
Assign students to research and present a timeline storyboard on America's imperial period, including territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, and revisiting Hawaii and Alaska. This deepens understanding of US expansion beyond the mainland.
More Storyboard That Activities
U.S. Territorial Expansion 1783-1959
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