In this Grade 8 lesson from America: History of Our Nation, students examine two major westward movements of the mid-1800s: the Mormon migration to the Great Salt Lake valley under Brigham Young and the conflicts over polygamy and governance that delayed Utah statehood until 1896, and the effects of the 1849 California gold rush on population growth and settlement. Students learn key terms including forty-niner, water rights, and vigilante as they analyze how the Mexican Cession opened vast new territory to American settlers.
Section 1
Mormons Journey Westward to Practice Their Religion
Facing persecution, Mormon leader Brigham Young led 15,000 followers to Utah in 1847. They created irrigation systems to farm desert land, but faced conflicts with the federal government over polygamy and church control.
Section 2
Gold Miners Transform California's Population
The 1849 California gold rush attracted 80,000 fortune seekers from around the world. Miners panned for gold in streams and established temporary towns, causing California's population to grow from 14,000 to 100,000 in just two years.
Section 3
Diverse Groups Reshape California's Social Landscape
The gold rush brought immigrants from Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, making California 40% foreign-born by 1860. Different groups experienced varying levels of acceptance, with Native Americans and Californios suffering the most discrimination.
Section 4
Americans Pursue Manifest Destiny Across the Continent
Americans believed they had the right to expand westward, leading to conflicts with Mexico and Britain. The Mexican-American War resulted in the United States gaining vast territories that fulfilled the vision of coast-to-coast expansion.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Mormons Journey Westward to Practice Their Religion
Facing persecution, Mormon leader Brigham Young led 15,000 followers to Utah in 1847. They created irrigation systems to farm desert land, but faced conflicts with the federal government over polygamy and church control.
Section 2
Gold Miners Transform California's Population
The 1849 California gold rush attracted 80,000 fortune seekers from around the world. Miners panned for gold in streams and established temporary towns, causing California's population to grow from 14,000 to 100,000 in just two years.
Section 3
Diverse Groups Reshape California's Social Landscape
The gold rush brought immigrants from Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, making California 40% foreign-born by 1860. Different groups experienced varying levels of acceptance, with Native Americans and Californios suffering the most discrimination.
Section 4
Americans Pursue Manifest Destiny Across the Continent
Americans believed they had the right to expand westward, leading to conflicts with Mexico and Britain. The Mexican-American War resulted in the United States gaining vast territories that fulfilled the vision of coast-to-coast expansion.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter