Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. To understand the concept of Manifest Destiny and the historical context in which it emerged, particularly in the United States during the 19th century.
2. To explore the impact of Manifest Destiny on the development of the United States, both in terms of territorial expansion and the resulting conflicts with Native American tribes.
3. To encourage critical thinking and discussion about the ethical implications of Manifest Destiny and its effects on various populations, including Native Americans and immigrants.

Secondary Objectives:

• To improve students' skills in historical analysis and interpretation.
• To enhance students' ability to participate in a group discussion and present their thoughts in a clear and concise manner.

Introduction (8 - 10 minutes)

1. The teacher reminds students of previous lessons covering the early history of the United States, focusing on the period leading up to the 19th century. This recap includes a brief overview of the American Revolution, the creation of the Constitution, and the establishment of the young nation's early borders. (3 minutes)
2. The teacher presents two problem situations that are designed to engage students and stimulate their interest in the topic:
   • Problem 1: "Imagine you and your family just moved into a new house. You love the house and the neighborhood, but you also really want the empty lot next door. What do you do to try and get that lot? How might your actions impact your relationship with your new neighbors?"
   • Problem 2: "Think about a time when you and your friends wanted to play a game, but there was only one ball. How did you decide who would get the ball first? Did everyone feel like the decision was fair?" (4 minutes)
3. The teacher contextualizes the importance of the Manifest Destiny concept by explaining its ongoing impact on the United States, such as the existence of the contiguous 48 states and the displacement of Native American tribes. This discussion emphasizes the relevance of the topic to current events and issues. (2 minutes)
4. To introduce the topic in an engaging way, the teacher shares two curiosities or stories related to Manifest Destiny:
   • Curiosity 1: "Did you know that the term 'Manifest Destiny' was first used in a newspaper article to justify the annexation of Texas by the United States? The phrase captured the belief that it was America's divine mission to expand its borders westward."
   • Curiosity 2: "Have you ever heard of the Trail of Tears? It was a tragic event that occurred because of Manifest Destiny. When the United States expanded west, many Native American tribes were forcibly removed from their land and forced to walk thousands of miles to a new territory." (3 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

Activity 1: Mapping the Westward Expansion (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher divides students into groups of 4 or 5 and provides each group with a large, blank map of the United States, covering the period from 1803 (when the Louisiana Purchase was made) to 1853 (the year of the Gadsden Purchase), with the borders of the present-day U.S. marked in a different color.

2. The teacher also distributes smaller, cutout shapes of states, representing the states that were added to the U.S. during this period, to each group.

3. The teacher explains that the groups' task is to correctly place the states on the map in the order they were added to the U.S., and to label them with the correct year of their addition.

4. Students are encouraged to discuss amongst themselves, recalling prior lessons, and use critical thinking skills to determine the correct placement and order of the states. They may use textbooks, notes, or the internet (on provided classroom tablets or personal devices) for reference.

5. After each group has completed the task, the teacher leads a class discussion, asking each group to share their maps and explain the reasoning behind their placements. This discussion should highlight the westward progression of U.S. territory, leading to a visual representation of Manifest Destiny.

Activity 2: The Trail of Tears Role Play (10 - 13 minutes)

1. The teacher informs the students that they will be participating in a role-play activity, where they will take on the roles of Native Americans, settlers, and government officials during the time of Manifest Destiny.

2. The teacher distributes role cards to each student, outlining their character's background, perspective, and possible actions.

• Native American Roles: Cherokee Tribe Chief, Cherokee Elder, Cherokee Child
• Settler Roles: Pioneer Family, Gold Rush Miner
• Government Roles: President Andrew Jackson, U.S. Army General, Indian Removal Act Supporter

3. The teacher sets the scene: "You are living in the southeastern part of the United States, in the early 1800s. The country has expanded westward, and the U.S. government has decided that your land is now needed for the nation's growth. How would each character respond and what actions might they take?"

4. Students, in character, are given time to discuss and make decisions within their groups. Some possible actions include the Native Americans resisting, the settlers advocating for expansion, and the government enacting the Indian Removal Act.

5. After each group has made their decisions, the teacher facilitates a discussion, allowing each group to share their choices and the reasoning behind them. This discussion should highlight the complex and often contentious nature of Manifest Destiny, moving beyond the simple narrative of westward expansion.

6. To conclude the role-play, the teacher guides a reflective discussion, asking students to consider how they felt in their roles and how these historical events might have shaped the U.S. today. This discussion should encourage students to empathize with different perspectives and consider the long-term impacts of Manifest Destiny.

By the end of these activities, students should have a clear understanding of the concept of Manifest Destiny, its historical context, its impact on U.S. territory, and its complex ethical implications.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher facilitates a group discussion where each group is given up to 3 minutes to share their conclusions and solutions from the role-play and map placement activities. The teacher encourages students to explain the reasoning behind their decisions and how these decisions reflect the concept of Manifest Destiny. This discussion should also focus on the ethical implications of the decisions made by the different groups.

2. Connection to Theory (2 - 3 minutes): After each group has presented, the teacher then connects the group activities to the theory of Manifest Destiny. The teacher highlights how the westward expansion of the United States, as represented by the map activity, was a result of the ideology of Manifest Destiny. The teacher also discusses how the role-play activity demonstrated the conflicts and ethical dilemmas inherent in this ideology, particularly in the treatment of Native Americans. This discussion helps students to see the practical application of the theoretical knowledge they have gained.

3. Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes): To conclude the feedback session, the teacher asks students to take a moment to reflect on the lesson. The teacher poses a series of reflection questions for students to consider:

   • "What was the most important concept you learned today?"
   • "Are there any questions you still have about Manifest Destiny?"
   • "How does the concept of Manifest Destiny relate to current events or issues?"
   • "What role do you think Manifest Destiny has played in shaping the United States today?" The teacher encourages students to share their reflections with the class, fostering a deeper understanding of the topic and promoting critical thinking.

4. Closing Remarks (1 minute): The teacher concludes the lesson by thanking the students for their participation and encouraging them to continue exploring the concept of Manifest Destiny in their own time. The teacher also reminds the students of the importance of understanding historical events and ideologies in order to make sense of the present day.

By the end of the feedback session, students should have a clear understanding of Manifest Destiny, its historical context, its impact on U.S. territory, and its complex ethical implications. They should also be able to articulate their thoughts on these issues and relate them to current events and issues.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. This includes a brief recap of the concept of Manifest Destiny, its historical context, and its impact on the territorial expansion of the United States. The teacher also reviews the ethical implications of Manifest Destiny, particularly in relation to the treatment of Native Americans. (2 minutes)

2. The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. The mapping activity allowed students to visualize the westward expansion of the United States, bringing the concept of Manifest Destiny to life. The role-play activity provided a practical understanding of the conflicts and ethical dilemmas inherent in this ideology. The teacher also emphasizes how the lesson's activities and discussions encouraged students to think critically, analyze historical events, and consider the long-term impacts of Manifest Destiny. (2 minutes)

3. The teacher suggests additional materials for students to further their understanding of Manifest Destiny. This could include relevant chapters in their history textbooks, online articles, documentaries, or even historical fiction books that provide different perspectives on this topic. The teacher also encourages students to continue exploring this topic through independent research and to bring any new findings or questions to the next class. (1 minute)

4. Lastly, the teacher links the importance of the topic to everyday life. The teacher explains that understanding the concept of Manifest Destiny helps us to understand the historical context of the United States' territorial expansion and the complex ethical issues surrounding this ideology. This understanding, in turn, can help us make sense of current events and issues, such as land rights, immigration, and the treatment of indigenous populations. The teacher emphasizes that studying history is not just about learning facts, but also about developing critical thinking skills and gaining insights that can be applied to our lives today. (2 minutes)

By the end of the conclusion, students should have a solid understanding of the concept of Manifest Destiny, its historical context and impact, and its complex ethical implications. They should also be aware of the resources available to them for further study and be able to articulate the relevance of this historical concept to current events and issues.