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Exploring the Oregon Trail and Manifest Destiny

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

A reading comprehension worksheet exploring the significance of the Oregon Trail within the context of Manifest Destiny, designed to develop understanding of American expansion in the 19th century.

Topics covered:

#History
#History
#Manifest Destiny
#Standard
#Reading Comprehension
#Oregon Trail
#Explain the reasons why settlers traveled west along the Oregon Trail.
#Compare different perspectives on westward expansion during the 19th century.
#Analyse the challenges faced by pioneers on the Oregon Trail.
#Outline the impact of the Oregon Trail on American territorial growth.

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Exploring the Oregon Trail and Manifest Destiny

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Introduction to the Oregon Trail and Manifest Destiny

The concept of Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent. The Oregon Trail was a key route that thousands of settlers used to move westward in the 1830s and 1840s, seeking new opportunities and land.

Source A: Excerpt from a settler’s diary, 1843

'The journey along the Oregon Trail was arduous, filled with dangers and hardships. Yet, the promise of fertile land and a better life motivated us to push forward.'

Source B: Newspaper article, 1845

'The westward expansion is a divine mission, spreading American values and civilization across the continent.'

1.
Explain why many settlers decided to travel along the Oregon Trail in the 1830s and 1840s. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
2.
Compare the perspectives of the settler’s diary (Source A) and the newspaper article (Source B) on westward expansion. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
3.
Outline some of the challenges faced by pioneers on the Oregon Trail. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
4.
Analyse the significance of the Oregon Trail for the expansion of the United States. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
5.
Describe how the idea of Manifest Destiny influenced American attitudes towards westward expansion. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
6.
Compare the views of settlers and government officials regarding the westward expansion through the Oregon Trail. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
7.
Write a brief summary of the importance of the Oregon Trail in American history. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
8.
Explain how the challenges faced on the Oregon Trail might have affected settlers' views on westward expansion. (6 marks)
[6 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet
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