1. Westward expansion after the Civil War Sarah Brynaert October 2008
Land Grabbing
Westward expansion after the Civil War
Sarah Brynaert
October 2008

2. Land Grabbing Grade Level: 9-12 Content: Western American History
Unit: The American West after the Civil War

3. Land Grabbing Objectives: Identify reasons for westward expansion
Analyze the concepts of assimilation and stereotypes in relation to the American West
Explain reasons for near destruction of Native American societies in the American West

4. Land Grabbing CIVIL WAR
Fought between the North and South
After the Civil War was a period known as Reconstruction
Many people were displaced or in poverty as a result of the conflict
As industrialism and big business expanded, so did US territory
US Government encouraged citizens to move west

5. Land Grabbing: Engage
You will receive a card which has a symbol on one side and a list of words on the back
Please find people with the same symbol as you.
This will be your group

6. Land Grabbing: Engage
On the back of each of your cards, there is a list of words
The list of words will be used to complete the graphic organizer
Each student should read the word out loud in their groups and discuss where the word belongs in the chart.
After categorizing the words on the back of the card add other words which relate to the graphic organizer

7. Land Grabbing: Graphic Organizer
On the back of each of your cards is a list of words. Please categorize and write each word where you think it should belong in the chart below. When you are finished categorizing the words on the back of your cards, please discuss and list other words which relate to the chart below.
Native Americans
Miners
Ranchers
Farmers

8. Land Grabbing: Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is to evaluate reasons for westward expansion.
This lesson will also show you the near destruction of Native Americans and their culture during this time.

9. Land Grabbing: Purpose
Can anyone tell me what they know about the American West after the Civil War?
Why did Americans move westward? What natural resources were available?
What is going on in the west at this time?

10. Land Grabbing: Explore
This next portion of the lesson will be used to play a game
Split your group into 3 teams
You will work together to make decisions people of the time period made

11. Land Grabbing: Explore
Background Information
Many people in the country were displaced as a result of the Civil War
Some people sought alternative options for their lifestyles, some chose to move west
Your team will start with 20 token
You will have to make decisions and purchases using your tokens

12. Land Grabbing: Explore
Situation Card:
You will play this game by picking “Situation Cards”
Each situation you will have to make a decision

13. Land Grabbing: Explore
Play “Land Grabbing”

14. Land Grabbing: Explain
Return to your Graphic Organizer from the explore portion of the lesson
Revisit the terms, would you change anything?

15. Land Grabbing: Explain
On the back of each of your cards is a list of words. Please categorize and write each word where you think it should belong in the chart below. When you are finished categorizing the words on the back of your cards, please discuss and list other words which relate to the chart below.
Native Americans
Miners
Ranchers
Farmers
Reservations
Placer Mining
Spurs
Bonanza Farms
Buffalo
Mining Town
Soddie
Nomads
Minerals
Cow Town
Homestead Act
Hydraulic Pumps
Cowboy
Homesteaders
Shallow Pan
Dawes Act

16. Land Grabbing: Explain
Reaction to the game “Land Grabbing”?

17. Land Grabbing: Explain
Draw a picture of what you thought your character looked like, what they wore and list their behaviors

18. Land Grabbing: Explain
Turn to neighbor who has a different character than you
Give your neighbor a brief summary of their character situations and explain the drawing.
Raise you hand if you drew a…
Woman
Native American
Mexican
African American
Child
Chinese
Japanese
Immigrant

19. Land Grabbing: Explain
Most stories from the West supported stereotypes about men
Young men could find freedom and opportunity
Resist the forces of civilization that had made easterners soft
Toughened the bodies and souls of young men
Stereotype is a fixed conception held by people about others.

20. Land Grabbing: Explain
However, there were more than just white men in the west
Women also traveled west
Chinese, African American, Japanese and other immigrants moved west
There were many African American and Mexican cowhands

21. Land Grabbing: Explain
The move west nearly destroyed Native Americans and their cultures

22. Land Grabbing: Explain
The United States tried to assimilate Native Americans into the American culture through Native American Boarding Schools
Assimilation is the process by which people of one culture merge into and become part of another culture
Share some accounts with students

23. Land Grabbing: Elaborate Please react to the following:
The common schools are the stomachs of the country in which all people that come to us are assimilated within a generation. When a lion eats an ox, the lion does not become an ox but the ox becomes a lion." … Henry Ward Beecher*

24. Land Grabbing: Elaborate
Write a journal entry as if you were a Native American student in a boarding school.

25. Land Grabbing: Closure
You should draw conclusions about the American westward expansion after the Civil War.
Why did people move west after the Civil War?
What resources were available and what occupations did people choose?
Describe the concepts of stereotype and assimilation?
What were the population dynamics of the American West?
How did Americans attempt to assimilate Native Americans into their culture?
Can you see assimilation in other parts of history or in current events today?

26. Land Grabbing: Evaluate
You will make a flip book including key words, ideas and examples.
Pg 1: The American West after the Civil War
Pg 2: Native Americans
Pg 3: Miners
Pg 4: Ranchers
Pg 5: Farmers
Pg 6: Assimilation and Stereotypes
Use information from the entire lesson to finish this flipbook