Journeys West

Congratulations! You chose the role of Explorer.

Step One:
Begin your research by reading the passage titled Exploration, Fur Trade and Settlement from the Northern Great Plains collection, American Memory collection. While reading, write down keywords on the Information Gathering worksheet to search the American Memory collections.

Step Two:
Consider the following questions while conducting research on your topic:

• What were the motivations of the Explorers who traveled west?
• What conditions did Explorers encounter as they journeyed west?
• How did the conditions encountered influence their decisions?
• What were the conflicts between the Explorers and the native people they encountered?
• How did policies of the U.S. government influence westward exploration?

Begin your research using the following links:

Step Three:
Try searching the collections by using the following Information Gathering worksheet.

• History of the American West, 1860-1920: Photographs from the Collection of the Denver Public Library
• Maps Collections: 1544-2003
• Pioneering the Upper Mid West: Books from Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, ca.1820-1910
• The Northern Great Plains

Step Four:
Using information from your research write a proposal to Congress convincing them to fund your expedition to map the land. Edit and revise your letter according to the writing rubric.

Step Five:
All the Explorers will chronicle a journey west for the Pioneer Museum. Your combined exhibition must include a journal, map, timeline, broadside and at least one additional artifact. Study the project guidelines and then decide among your group which project you will contribute.

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