Chapter 12 The Way West

16. Describe the impact of the Santa Fe Trail on the settlement of New Mexico and
describe the impact of the Mormons on the settlement of Utah.
17. Explain the philosophy of Manifest Destiny. Explain the racial overtones in the
philosophy and why it was closely associated with the Democratic party.
18. Outline the events leading to the Mexican War. Explain the factors which contributed to
the American victory and outline the provisions of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Topics for Classroom Lecture
1. Prepare a slide and lecture presentation exploring the theme of the West in American
art. Focus on the depiction of Native Americans by American artists. What is negative about
American artistic images of Native Americans? What is positive? If you dealt with European
art based on Native Americans in Chapter 1, you may want to invite a comparison and contrast
of seventeenth century European depictions of Native Americans and nineteenth century
American depictions of Native Americans. Also, have students comment on American artists’
treatment of the western landscape. How did the West stimulate American imagination? Ask
students to share their own images and impressions of the American West even if they have
never actually visited the region. From where have many twentieth century Americans gotten
their images of the West?
2. Prepare a lecture on the philosophy of Manifest Destiny. Was Manifest Destiny the
only motivation for American westward expansion? Was it the most important motivation?
Have students consider the economic, political and military issues involved. Why did Americans
require more than pragmatic justifications for western expansion? Connect Manifest Destiny to
Protestant Christianity and to the emergence of feelings of racial and cultural superiority in the
western world during the nineteenth century.
Topics for Class Discussion and Essays
1. Compare and contrast the development of agriculture in the Old Northwest and the Old
Southwest during the first half of the nineteenth century. How did the technology and innovation
of the Agricultural Revolution impact American farming during the nineteenth century? To what
extent did the Old Northwest embrace new agricultural technology? Why? What impact did
the adoption of technology have on the development of both the agricultural and industrial
sectors of the northwestern economy? Did agricultural technology impact the development of
agriculture in the Old Southwest in the same way? Why? What was the primary example of
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