What is Manifest Destiny?
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Subject Area: Social Studies | Grade Level: 5
Lesson Length: 30 minutes
Keywords/Tags: Westward Expansion, Colonization, Civilization, Manifest Destiny, Early Settlements
Lesson Description: In this lesson, students will explore how the progress of Westward Expansion was inspired by many things, one of which being Manifest Destiny. Students will learn about the causes and effects for American Westward Expansion through Manifest Destiny.

  • SS.5.A.6.7 Discuss the concept of Manifest Destiny.
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Video : What is Manifest Destiny?
Instructions: Please watch the following video as many times as needed before taking the quiz. (Hint: your quiz answers will come from here!) Take notes of important information and pay attention to important people and events discussed in the video.
Description: Take a look at this cool video that shows us how and why early Americans decided to move west.
Quiz : Manifest Destiny Quiz
Instructions: Test your knowledge on Manifest Destiny after watching the video by taking the quiz. Good luck!
Question #1

Who first used the phrase "Manifest Destiny"?

Question #2

Fill in the blank:

Manifest Destiny is the belief that it was America's ____ to expand westward.

Question #3
It was God or a higher power that allowed Americans to continue their Manifest Destiny.
Question #4
Who created the painting called "American Progress" in 1872?
Question #5
Did Americans believe that westward expansion would help Indigenous People?
Question #6
What happened to Native Americans when new settlers began expanding into the West?
Question #7

Which US President was elected because of Manifest Destiny?

Question #8
True or False: Americans believed that God was telling them to move westward toward the Pacific.
Question #9
Manifest Destiny is a pointless part of history and has no effects on today's society.
Question #10
John O'Sullivan argued that other countries were encouraging Americans to spread far and wide across the world.
Description: In this quiz, you will identify the meaning of Manifest Destiny, where it came from, and the effects that it had on American Westward Expansion.
Resources : Let's Learn a Little More!
Instructions: Use any of the resources listed below to dig deeper into today's topic.
Manifest Destiny Word Search
Learn new key figures and vocabulary words for today's topic!
Manifest Destiny - Britannica Kids
Take a look at this article that tells us a little bit more about what we heard in the video.
Oregon Trail Interactive Map
Use this interactive map to dig a little deeper into westward expansion and learn more about the Oregon Trail.
Description: We have only scratched the surface of Manifest Destiny in today's lesson. There is still so much more to learn!