Students explore the views of both sides of the Civil War. Through class discussion and debate, they look at how each side justified their position during the Civil War. Students write a letter explaining one of the viewpoints from the...

This site highlights the westward expansion of settlers in North America and the effects this expansion had on Native Americans between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

This website gives detailed information on U.S, imperialism including lesson plans. Presented in outline format.

The sources in this primary set document Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan. Includes teaching guide.

Biography of John Sutter, a Swiss settler who helped to develop Californian and saw his fortunes dwindle after the California Gold Rush.

A brief biography of James Marshall who discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848, which led to the California Gold Rush.

A timeline that lists major events in culture, military, industry, and politics across three-quarters of a century.

This page discusses what happened to many of the gold miners when the gold ran out in California.

This page discusses the many different cultures that came to California during the gold rush.

Read about the environmental impact the changing technology of gold mining inflicted on California and the economic impact on the miners.

Contains an article on the discovery of gold in California at Sutter's Mill that resulted in the California Gold Rush.