Moving Westward: Mexicanos
Describe your rancho
Were you already in the west, or did you move there?
Why did wealthy Mexicanos begin moving to the west in the 1800s?
What types of food do you eat?
Name at least two ways that you have adapted to the harsh environment of the West. (Can be about people that you meet, or the climate)
How were you treated when the West became part of the United States in 1848?
What is your role in the family? What types of things do you do?
Describe your traditions
Who are you writing to? Why are you writing to them?
How are you feeling about your current situation, and what is your plan for the future?
Moving Westward: Forty Niners
What brought you to the West in the 1800s?
Who are you traveling with? What did you bring with you?
Did you leave family behind?
Exactly how are you looking for the gold?
What is your mining camp like? Describe with sensory words
Who have you encountered on your journey westward?
How did you interact with the people that you met?
Were you successful finding gold (Remember... only one person can be successful in your class.)
What are your plans for the future now?
Who are you writing to, and why are you writing to them?
Moving Westward: Chinese Immigrants
What made you decide to leave China and move to the Western parts of North America?
Explain your journey to North America. (Boat)
How did you help build the Transcontinental Railroad? (What was your job?)
How were you treated by the people that you encountered?
Explain why life in North America is so difficult for you.
Where do you live while working in North America? Describe
How do you feel about the Chinese Exclusion Act?
Who are you writing a letter to?
Why are you writing to them?
Moving Westward: Mormons
Why are you moving westward?
Explain the difficulties of your journey
What do you think of Joseph Smith and his teachings?
Why do you and other Mormons have to move from place to place?
Who was Bringham Young? And how did he help the Mormons?
What did you and the other Mormons do to make sure you were never kicked out of Utah?
What is the Great Salt Lake like?
Are you or anyone you know a missionary?
Was the Journey worth it?
Who are you writing to, and why are you writing to them?
Moving Westward: Pioneers
What was “Oregon Fever” and how did people catch it in the 1800s?
What types of supplies are you taking with you on your journey?
Explain your journey (Joys and difficulties)
How did the Native Americans treat you while you were traveling?
What is your life like now that you have made it to Oregon?
What is your occupation?
What are your duties (While traveling and now that you are settled?)
Who are you writing to?
Why are you writing to them?
Moving Westward: Nez Perce
Where do you live? Describe your way of life
What is your duty as part of the tribe? Explain your appearance
Who is Chief Joseph?
How did the arrival of white settlers change your way of life?
Explain the attack
What happened to you and the rest of the Nez Perce after Chief Joseph surrendered to the US army?
Did you want to go to the reservation?
What was it like on the Trail of Tears?
What is the reservation like?
Who are you writing to, and why are you writing to them?