Alabama Social Studies SS24.US1.14b

Social Studies10th GradeAmerican Expansion Post-Civil War

The Standard

SS24.US1.14: Explain how westward expansion after the Civil War created economic growth in the West and affected the people living there as well as those migrating to the region.

Describe the economic and environmental impacts of new industries during the settlement of the West, including the mining and cattle industries.

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how mining and cattle ranching brought jobs and sales to western towns. They describe how mining damaged land and water, while heavy grazing stripped grass and wore down streambanks.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a mine report and a ranch photo, a student can name an economic gain and an environmental cost for each industry. They can explain how overgrazing leaves less grass for future herds.
Common Misconceptions: Students may assume mining jobs lasted forever, even when a mine ran out of ore. They may see cattle as only an economic gain and miss the damage caused by too many animals grazing the same land.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: For mining and cattle ranching, name one economic gain and one environmental cost of each.

Lesson moves

Pour water over a tray of undisturbed soil and a tray of dug-up soil, then compare the runoff in clear cups.
Ask: Would you open a mine near your town's drinking creek if it offered 80 jobs? Explain who gains and who pays.
Give pairs five cards: mine jobs, ore sales, polluted creek, cattle sales, and bare pasture; sort them into economic gains and environmental costs.
Show a photo of cattle at a worn creek bank; students circle bare soil and explain how lost grass could raise feed costs.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS24.US1.14b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.