Manifest Destiny -- Projects

Manifest Destiny Activities – DUE FEBRUARY 25, 2011

“C” Activity


In order to get at least a “C,” you must complete the following activity:


1. Create a map of the United States that shows the regions we will study in Chapter fifteen. Your map must include:

All regions that were acquired by the United States in Chapter 15 (Texas, Florida, Oregon Territory, the Louisiana Purchase and the California/New Mexico Territory) – clearly labeled.

All states that existed (on the east coast) in 1803, labeled.

At least five landforms (ocean, rivers, mountains, lakes) within the United States, clearly marked.

Resources of each region, labeled with a key.

(SEE pages 498-499 for a physical map of America; Page 36 for a map of NATURAL RESOURCES)



“B” Activities

In order to get at least a “B,” you must complete the “C” activity and ONE of the following activities:

1. Create a Powerpoint that describes one of the territories described in Chapter 15 (Texas, California/New Mexico, Oregon, Louisiana Purchase, Florida). Your Powerpoint MUST include the following:

Reasons why this territory should become part of the United States.

Reasons why this territory should NOT become part of the United States.

Resources the territory has to offer the United States.

At least THREE sources, cited properly.

A title slide, a citation slide, at least FIVE slides of information, and at least two relevant pictures/maps.


2. Write an essay on why the Louisiana Purchase could be considered the “greatest land deal in history.” (Described on page 199 of the text book.) Your essay must:

Be two pages, double-spaced.

Include at least THREE quotes from TWO different sources, AND a “works cited” page.


3. Create a new, completely different flag for the state of Texas (first, see their original flag on page 203 in the text book.) Your flag must incorporate at least THREE colors, at least FIVE symbols, and show (either with words or pictures) at least TWO of the following:

Representation of Sam Houston or Moses Austin.

How Texas won its independence.

Something appealing to the United States.


4. Create a diary entry on “Oregon Fever,” pretending as though you are considering moving to the Oregon Territory (described on pages 204-205 in the text book). Your entry will describe why Oregon was so appealing to settlers. Your essay must:

Be two pages, double-spaced.

Include at least TWO quotes from TWO different sources, AND a “works cited” page.



“A” Activities

In order to get at least an “A,” you must complete ONE of the “C” activities, ONE of the “B” activities, and ONE of the following activities:

1. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the ways Louisiana and Florida were acquired by the United States. Your essay must:

Be at least THREE pages long, double spaced.

Contain at least FIVE quotes from your sources.

Use at least THREE sources.

Have a “works cited” page.


2. Create a presentation on the Seminole Indians. Describe their communities – how they lived in the 1700 – 1800’s. Some ideas to consider are: What did they farm? Who were their leaders? Were there any notable members of the Seminole Tribe? Describe them. What was their language? How were escaped slaves involved in the tribe? Your presentation can be either a Powerpoint, or see Mrs. Patterson if you have another idea. You must:

Present at least FIVE ideas you discover.

Use at least THREE sources.

Have a “works cited” page.