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Westward Expansion Timeline for Kids

Remembering the names, dates, and details of historical events can be a struggle for students. And figuring out how all of that isolated information connects? That is even more difficult. But understanding historical events and their relationships with each other is critical. 

I want to help you facilitate deeper understanding and connection in your history lessons. And one of the best ways to achieve this is through timelines! To get you started, I have created this free Westward Expansion timeline.

Why Use a Westward Expansion Timeline? 

A timeline is a powerful tool that provides a concrete way for students to connect historical concepts.

Timelines help students:

  • view events as part of a larger movement
  • sequence events in order
  • activate prior knowledge
  • identify cause and effect
  • deepen their understanding of a historical period

My Best Tips for Teaching with Timelines 

Why Many Students Don’t “Get” Timelines

As teachers, we commonly teach events one at a time, assuming that students are connecting the events in their minds. But when we teach events in “bits and pieces,” students learn most of their history out of context. As a result, they are unable to connect the individual details and grasp larger historical themes.

The solution?

Students need regular practice creating and interpreting timelines.

My Favorite Timeline Activities 

Timelines don’t have to be boring! There are so many fun and engaging ways to incorporate timelines into your history instruction. Here are a few of my favorite timeline activities.

Illustrated Timeline

Students work together to construct an illustrated timeline of historical events. This can be done in many ways! For example:

  • First, roll out a long strip of butcher paper for your students. You can do this horizontally or vertically.
  • Next, use a bold marker to place dates on the paper.
  • Then, have students cover the timeline in student drawings, index-cards, and/or primary sources which represent historical events.

Table Top Timeline

Students create a timeline across a table in the classroom. First, label sections of the table with dates using index cards. Next, students add objects, artifacts, and framed photographs to the table. They place these items next to the correct year on the timeline.

Digital Timeline

Have students create a timeline digitally. Don’t expect students to know how to use these digital resources on their own. Be sure to model several times – and even do a few altogether! 

  • ReadWriteThink Interactive Timeline – This program provides an easy-to-use digital timeline for students to fill in! In this timeline, students can enter a date, description, and image.
  • Google Slides – Students can create a simple timeline using this editable timeline. Before sharing this with students, you can adjust it to fit your specific timeline needs!
  • Sutori – Using Sutori, your students can create incredible timelines that include both text and images. You can even assign students to create a Sutori timeline through Google Classroom!

Human Timeline

One of my favorite timeline activities is the Human Timeline from Facing History. In this activity, students teach their peers about one event from the timeline. Then, they build a human timeline by lining up in the order of the events. I’ve used a variation of this activity in my Early Republic and Westward Expansion units. Learn more about this activity here!

Analyze Timelines

Go beyond creating timelines. Analyze them! Here are some ideas for helping students analyze timelines. 

  • Compare a timeline with another from history. 
    • Identify the time period covered by each timeline.
    • Determine how each timeline has been divided.
    • Study the timelines to see how events in one are related to events in the other.
  • Identify a turning point in the timeline. 
  • Identify a problem and give advice to people from that time period.
  • Create a new ending!

17 Key Events for Your Westward Expansion Timeline  

It’s difficult to narrow down events and know which to include and which to leave out. I’ve spent hours analyzing events, so you don’t have to! Here are 17 key events to teach from Westward Expansion.

  1. 1803 – The U.S. acquires the Louisiana territory from France.
  2. 1804 – Lewis and Clark begin their expedition.
  3. 1820 – Congress passes the Missouri Compromise.
  4. 1830 – Congress passes the Indian Removal Act.
  5. 1835 – The first battle of the Texas Revolution occurs at Gonzales, Texas.
  6. 1838 – The U.S. army forces the Cherokee Nation from their homes. This is known as the “Trail of Tears.”
  7. 1841 – People begin to travel west on the Oregon Trail.
  8. 1845 – John O’Sullivan first uses the term “Manifest Destiny.”
  9. 1845 – Texas becomes a U.S. state.
  10. 1846-1848 – The Mexican American War
  11. 1846 – England signs the Oregon Treaty, adding the Oregon Territory to the U.S.
  12. 1848 – The California Gold Rush begins.
  13. 1850 – Congress passes the Compromise of 1850.
  14. 1854 – Congress passes the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
  15. 1861 – The Civil War begins.
  16. 1862 – Congress passes the Homestead Act.
  17. 1869 – The Transcontinental Railroad is completed.

Get the Free Westward Expansion Timeline   

I hope these tips and resources help your students better understand and enjoy timelines in your classroom!

Download the free Westward Expansion Timeline here.

Need more help teaching about Westward Expansion? 

Are you looking for more resources to help you teach about Westward Expansion?

Westward Expansion Unit for 5th Grade and Middle School

The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Westward Expansion