Manifest Destiny

Using the themes of Annihilation, Assimilation, and Appropriation, students will examine Manifest Destiny and its justification for taking by force land from the Native Americans.

Annihilation:  When is it right to take land by force from another group?

1.  Reader's Theater on Points of view:  Students will work in groups of 4 to examine primary sources about justification for Manifest Destiny by answering questions on a worksheet.

2.  Reader's Theater on the Trail of Tears:  Native Americans lament the lost of their land.
Script is based on primary sources.
A powerpoint accompanies the script.

Assimilation: "making the Red man a White man"...When is the process of assimilation a positive and negative experience?
In groups of 4 have students analyze the four primary sources and fill out the Four Square worksheet.
This is a biased lesson pointing out the negative aspects of assimilation.
Have students explore the positive side of assimilation or how assimilation can work in a positive way.

Four Square worksheet

Source 1:  Lone Wolf
Source 2:  Tom Torlino
Source 3:  Sun Elk
Source 4:  Indian School


Appropriation:

Should the appropriation of Native American names and images be used in sports?  Why and why not?

1.  Directions for activity
2.  Mascot Pictures
3.  T chart for thoughts