Conflict and tension in the American West, 1876-95

IMPORTANT: Many of these activities refer to the textbook “Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History, The American West, c1835-c1895” (editor Leonard A. and published by Pearson) ISBN 9781292127309 and will not be usable without a copy of this text.

This Edexcel 9-1 GCSE unit covers around 4 lessons depending upon your class and their overall ability/work rate.

Aims and Objectives:

Specification area: Conflict and tension in the American West, 1876-1895

• To understand the extent of solutions to problems of law and order: sheriffs and marshals. The significance of Billy the Kid, OK Corral (1881), Wyatt Earp.
• To understand the range wars, including the Johnson County War of 1892.
• To understand the conflict with the Plains Indians: the Battle of the Little Big Horn, 1876 and its impact; the Wounded Knee Massacre, 1890.

The Power Point leads students through all activities with accompanying resources. It also provides feedback/answers at intervals. Activities include group discussion on the causes of lawlessness analysis of Billy the Kid and Wyatt Earp using summary written material, card sort on the Johnson County War, video Q&A on the Battle of Little Bighorn, timeline analysis of the battle, Wounded Knee Massacre storyboard and Facebook posts exercise on reaction.