"Sea to Shining Sea"

The United States acquired new Western territories through diplomacy and war. As we heard in the video, some feel that once we became independent from England all this land was ours. Now that you have finished the chapter, how do you feel about what we did to extend our great nation from "sea to shining sea"?

THE ALAMO

The following is a letter written by Lieutenant Colonel William Barret Travis. It was written on the second day of fighting at the Alamo. Lt. Col. Travis's son was six years old when this letter was written. Please discuss how Travis’s son possibly reacted to this letter when he became old enough to understand what the battle was all about.
(Please look up any words you may not know so that you can fully understand the letter.)

Commandancy of the Alamo
Bexar, Feby 24th, 1836


To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World—
Fellow Citizens and Compatriots

I am besieged with a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly over the wall. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, of everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his honor and that of his country.

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comd’t


P.S. The Lord is on our side—when the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn—We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

Westward Expansion

You just watched "America - The Story of Us" episode 3.
After the Treaty of Paris is signed in 1783 and the new American
nation is born, a vast continent lies to the west of the mountains,
waiting to be explored. This land is not empty – Native American
Indians are spread across the land mass, as are Spanish colonists
and French explorers.
The conquest of the West by pioneers and trailblazers is a story
marked by courage and hardship. Armed with knowledge from
hardened mountain men like Jedediah Smith, millions of Americans
keep heading westward in the hopes of claiming lands and finding
prosperity. Considering what you saw in the video please discuss the following questions:
How did the Louisiana Purchase change the United States?
Why was Thomas Jefferson eager for Lewis and Clark to explore the West?

Welcome!

Welcome to our class blog! We will be using this to discuss topics brought up in class, or to further expand upon our reading. It is a place where you can voice your opinion without fear of being criticized or embarrassed. Here you can take time to reflect on an idea and you can also respond to your classmates posts. I hope you enjoy working together to create this blog, it is going to be quite a journey!