The Manifest Destiny WebQuest

by Colleen Nolan

Introduction · Question · Background Info · Individual Roles · Group Process
Rubric · Conclusion · Teacher's Guide

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Introduction

The belief in Manifest Destiny was the driving force behind the expansionist policy of the United States in the mid to late 1800's. But where did this philosophy come from and how did it effect various individuals throughout our history? As a historian, policy-writer, political or special interest leader or a concerned citizen it is important to look at all aspects and effects of new policies. How will it effect you? Your parents? Your neighbors? Are their legal restrictions and concerns? And should a grossly negative effect upon one group of people be sacrificed for the 'greater good'? At the completion of this quest you will personally advise the President on how he should handle the conflicting issues engrained in the philosophy and application of Manifest Destiny.

Use the links below to explore the topic, your interests and important questions. The Web will offer some unique resources that might not be available anywhere else so dig deep
and see what you find. If you want some idea of what good exploring looks like, read the
evaluation rubric.


As a group you're going to explore the topic of Manifest Destiny. Each member of your team will become an expert in one part of the topic. Then you'll have to come back together to answer a question that gets to the heart of 'how should the United States acquire Texas, Mexican territory and Oregon Country'? You want to do a good job, so why not read the evaluation rubric for this WebQuest?

The Question

The main question you will be asked to find an answer for is:

What policy should President James Polk follow in the acquisitions of 1) Republic of Texas, 2) Oregon Country, 3) California

Task: Each student will produce a Policy Options Brief that summarizes issues inherent in the expansionist policy, possible policy options and a recommended policy plan. Policy Options Brief.

Background Information

Before becoming an expert on one aspect of this topic, we'd better make sure that everyone on your WebQuest team knows the basics. Use the links below to answer the six general questions:

1. What is Manifest Destiny?

2. In what time period(s) did Manifest Destiny dictate expansionist policy in the United States.

3. What Presidents were in office during this time period (names and dates)?

4. What is the geographic location of the Republic of Texas, Territory of California and Oregon Country prior to their admittance into the Union?

5. How were each of the areas noted above acquired? (historical reality)

Make sure everyone on your team can answer all the questions before moving into your individual roles. Record this information in the provided 'Researcher's Log'.

Historical Text Archive

outline of expansion and manifest destiny

The Components of Manifest Destiny

Historical Maps

Great Site!! Historical maps

Individual Roles

Now that you have some overall background knowledge, it's time to return to the main question for this WebQuest. Questions this big and important are better answered when a few people are working on it at one time. Things work even better when a group of you decide to look at the question from different perspectives. Though there are links provided for you, I strongly suggest that you investigate sites that deal directly with your role as well. This way team members can become experts on different aspects of the question and then come together to poll their learning. This is where team work pays off. So are you ready to divide and conquer this question?

military leader

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) In historical reality, was the military used to acquire land in any of the three areas?
2) Which campaign was successful?
3) Which campaign was a failure? What factors about the situation (physical topography, morale, supplies, population) 'led' to the failure?
4) What was the biggest overall obstacle?
5) Was their dissention about use of force? (Differences of opinion about the order or plan)
6) What could have been done better?
***7) What other options exist (military and non-military).

The History Place

Indian Removal Act of 1830

Arrows of the West

Military struggles w/natives

Mexican-American War

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the Parts of the Topic

invester/gold miner

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1)What did you have to gain from the resources of each area?
2)What was gained by others like you prior to this possible land acquisition?
3) What obstacles have you faced?
4) What short term economic effects exist?
5) What long term economic effects exist?
6) How has the desire of moving into each of the three areas affected migration and population growth?
7) Are there environmental concerns?
***8) What policy options might you favor in acquiring this land?
9) What obstacles might you face if A) the land is NOT acquired and if B) the land IS acquired?

eyewitness': california gold rush

fur traders (oregon)

emigrant families: oregon

gold rush

The first peoples of Claifornia

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing how the Topic Functions, Works or Interacts

southern congressman

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) How will your region of the country be effected by the addition of these lands?
2) How will/should the issue of slavery be handled in these newly acquired territories?
3) How might your northern counterpart view the addition of these lands?
4) What are the views of your constituents?
5) What are the backgrounds and needs of your constituents?
6) What people will be adversely affected by this land acquisition?
7) How will you vote on the admittance of each of these areas into the Union?
***8) What options exist for acquiring these lands?

James Polk and Manifest Destiny

National Expansion Hall of Fame

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the People's Opinions on the Topic

northern congressman

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) How will your region of the country be effected by the addition of these lands?
2) How will/should the issue of slavery be handled in these newly acquired territories?
3) How might your southern counterpart view the addition of these lands?
4) What are the views of your constituents?
5) What are the backgrounds and needs of your constituents?
6) What people will be adversely affected by this land acquisition?
7) How will you vote on the admittance of each of these areas into the Union?
***8) What options exist to acquire these lands?

manifest destiny

Viewpoints: Manifest Destiny

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the People's Opinions on the Topic

Indian

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) What issues concern you about the land acquistions?
2) Is the belief in manifest destiny valid or is it a nicer way to say 'forceful expansion'?
3) Who has rights to the land?
4) How can the interests of the federal government meet your needs?
5) What past experiences affect your opinion about these land acquisitions?
6) What is the best way for the federal government to handle the pressure and desire for obtaining this land?
7) Will any treaties be violated?
8) How will you protect your land, rights and tradtion?

paintings by Salvatore Lumetta

Native American historical paintings

Historical and Legislative review of Federal Indian Policy

Conditions of Indians

legal doc

Northwest Indians (oregon)

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the People's Opinions on the Topic

lawyer

Use the links below to learn more about your role. Specifically, look for answers to the following questions:

1) What treaties exist that need to be referenced before creating policy?
2) Who has the power to dictate federal policies?
3) Who's rights are being violated, if any?
4) What is the constitutional procedure for admitting a state into the union?
5) Do international treaties exist with other nations that may share 'possession' of any of these lands?
6) What options exist for obtaining these lands?
7) What legal concerns exist in each of these options?
8) Are there boundary disputes? How will the new boundaries be set?
***9) What do you believe is the best advice that you can give to President Polk?

Anson Hones Letter to James Polk

1845- Annexation of Texas-legal doc

US Constitution Online

Help Page: Strategy for Analyzing the Parts of the Topic

Group Synthesis

Congratulations! Your team is now full of expertise. Each person on your team have become experts on the topic of Manifest Destiny. You've all learned a lot of information. But guess what, gathering useful information isn't the same as truly understanding a topic. What experts in the field of learning suggest is that you now use that information in a new and challenging way. Then you'll really know about this topic.

So with your team members all gathered together, carefully read and try answering the main question for this WebQuest. See where you all agree and where differences arise. As you discuss issues and options jot down ideas and perspectives in the appropriate area in you Researcher's Log. Come up with three to five policy options based on your discussion.

Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Quest(ion). Your WebQuest team should write out three to five general options that everyone on the team can live with.

Your team has met and you've come up with three (minimum) policy options. Take all of the information gathered, perspectives and opinions and create a policy options brief to be submitted to the President. See rubric and sample Policy Options Brief.

Real World Feedback:

Conclusion

At the beginning of this activity, you were asked to evaluate several factors stemming from one policy. Did you discover new viewpoints? Did you struggle over ethical issues about the treatment of various people's or what truly is 'the greater good'? Did you learn that policy decisions are incredibly complex and require discussion and compromise?Did you come up with a terrific policy?? Did everyone on your team think your policy was terrific? How did you answer the main question for this WebQuest? Have you checked the evaluation rubric to guide what you did?

You deserve a lot of praise for all the work you've done. And so does your brain. You've sure put that gray stuff to the test. You gained background information, developed expertise in one particular area and got into some pretty expert analysis. At times, you must have felt confused with ideas spinning every which way. That's normal when you're building new mental connections. It's funny, with each link between what you already knew and the new learning going on, you broke another different kind of link, remember the intellectual slavery we spoke about earlier? You're free! How will you use these ideas and strategies as you continue to grow and learn? It's all up to you. Good luck.