During the 1840s tens of thousands of American migrants made long journeys through the American West seeking land in Oregon, gold in California, and religious liberty in Utah.

Students will learn about inventions from the 1800s, how computing has impacted inventions over time, partially looking at communication, and how these inventions changed society by completing a gallery walk and creating a timeline.

This Story Map Journal focuses on westward expansion of the young United States during the 1800s by using online GIS technology and Library of Congress primary sources. Students will be able to: Visually identify the large territorial acquisitions of the continental United States. Demonstrate knowledge of how each territorial acquisition occurred. Key questions: How did the rapid expansion of the United States in the 1800s shape the United States today? Where and why did the United States expand during the 1800s? Contains links to student materials and teacher materials for creating lesson plans.