Settlers Move West, Frontier, Comstock Lode, Boomtowns

Why did settlers face both excitement and trepidation as they embarked on their journey to the western frontier? This lesson and activity examines the reasons why settlers moved west and the causes and effects of westward expansion. Students will analyze reading passages and a settler’s point of view to answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - California: The Cornucopia of the World primary source poster
Settlers Move West reading passage with scaffolding questions
Frontier, Comstock Lode, Boomtowns, Causes and Effects of Westward Expansion
A Settler’s Journey West POV with scaffolding questions
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the establishment of boomtowns during the westward expansion of the 1870s affect the economic and social development of the western frontier?
Answer key for teachers (suggested)
★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

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