A Primary Source History of Westward Expansion

By Steven Otfinoski

Throughout the 1800s millions of people pushed into the western United States. They went for gold, opportunities, and a chance for a better life. But as settlers moved in, American Indians were often pushed out. Hear the words they spoke. Read the words they read. And see the differing points of view about westward expansion through the eyes of the people who lived it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781496665096

Steven Otfinoski

Steven Otfinoski has written more than 150 books for young readers. Three of his nonfiction books have been chosen Books for the Teen Age by the New York Public Library. Steve is also a playwright and has his own theater company that brings one-person plays about American history to schools. Steve lives in Connecticut with his wife, who is a teacher. They have two children, two dogs, and a cat.

Book preview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER

TITLE PAGE

A NOTE ABOUT PRIMARY SOURCES

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN

EARLY EXPLORERS

SETTLING TEXAS AND UTAH

THE OREGON TRAIL

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH

SETTLING THE PLAINS

FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

GLOSSARY

INDEX

COPYRIGHT

BACK COVER

A NOTE ABOUT PRIMARY SOURCES

Primary sources are newspaper articles, photographs, speeches, or other documents that were created during an event. They are great ways to see how people spoke and felt during that time. You’ll find primary sources from the time of U.S. westward expansion throughout this book. Within the text, primary source quotations are colored brown and set in italic type.

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN

Since the first European settlers arrived in Virginia and Massachusetts, Americans have been on the move. First they settled the 13 colonies ruled by the British. With the Revolutionary War (1775–1783), the American colonists drove the British out and formed states. But as more people came to America, farmland grew scarce. People began to look westward for more land and better opportunities. Westward expansion began in the early 1800s and continued until about 1890. By then the West was settled, and the United States of America stretched from coast to coast.

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