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Louisiana Purchase
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBAsURdQFi0
Before 1803, the region known as the mid-west belonged to the French. The US wanted to purchase it to have access to the Mississippi. This purchase resulted in the expansion out west and nearly doubled the size of the country. Resource:
Linopa Films (2016). The Louisiana Purchase. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBAsURdQFi0 -
Louis and Clark Expedition
A year after the purchase of the Louisiana Purchase, President Jefferson asked explorers Louis and Clark to explore the land . Perceptions were that it would be beneficial to explore the land to the west and open it up to settlers to claim, known as Manifest Destiny. The low cost of the land after the expedition drew people to the Midwest.
Resource (photo):
Lewis and Clark expedition (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved from:
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition -
Fort Maddison
Fort Maddison was first military site built in the north. Was built to monitor trade with Native Americans after the Louisiana Purchase. In War of 1812, Indians were convinced to attack fort by the British, which lead to the fort being left behind. Resources (photo, and info)
Old Fort Madison. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2018, from http://www.oldfortmadison.org/ -
Chicago Becomes a City
Chicago became a city on March 21st of 1833. It is a great place to do business because of the waterways located within the city. It is now considered to be the largest city in the Midwest, and the third largest city within the United States. Map, Illinois, Chicago,1933. (n.d.). from https://www.georgeglazer.com/wpmain/product/pictorial-map-chicago-incorporated-as-a-town-august-5-1833-historical-centenary-map-1933/
United States History. (n.d.) from http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2188.html -
Invention of Steel Plow
The soil in the midwest was different than that in the south, which resulted in the invention of the steel plow in Illinois. This allowed more and more land to be farmed at a much faster rate, also leading to the midwest being known as the "bread basket of the US". Resources (photo):
Machinefinder blog (2012). Retrieved from:
http://blog.machinefinder.com/7265/john-deere-steel-plow -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas refers to a series of violent events that occurred between anti-slavery and pro-slavery groups as Kansas prepared to enter the Union. These violent events that were intended to influence the final decision for Kansas to be a free or slave state.
New World Encyclopedia. (2016). Bleeding Kansas. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Bleeding_Kansas
Photo: https://americancivilwar.com/statepic/ks/bleeding_kansas.html -
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River runs through the Midwest and is the second longest river in North America. The first bridge across the Mississippi was built in 1856 from Rock Island, Illinois to Davenport, Iowa. Around 470 million tons of cargo are transported on the river each year.
New World Encyclopedia. (2014). Mississippi River. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mississippi_River
Photo: https://www.britannica.com/place/Mississippi-River -
Lincoln/Douglas Debates
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LljCzkPasuk]
Lincoln and Douglas had seven debates that were 3 hours each that took place in Illinois. These debates were for the US Senate seat that was available. This seat was very important at the time and made the Midwest the focus of politics at the time. Resource:
Pinsker, Matthew (2017). Sound smart: The Lincoln-Douglas
debates. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=LljCzkPasuk -
Model T
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJwWVrDGICY) Henry Ford makes big leaps in assembly line process which allows for cars to be affordable for more Americans. The Model T changed the way Americans live, work and travel. Cars were built in Detroit, and Highland Michigan. Resources:Model t ford assembly Michigan. (2017, October 20). from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJwWVrDGICY
Photo: Britannica, T. E. (2017, June 30). Model T. , from https://www.britannica.com/technology/Model-T -
Motown Records is Founded in Detroit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPBkiBbO4_4
Berry Gordy was the first African American male to own a record company in the United States. He founded his company in Detroit Michigan in 1959. Motown is a combination of soul and pop music. One of the most famous groups that were signed under this record were the Supremes.
Resources :
J. (2011, February 21). The Supremes - Stop In The Name Of Love. Retrieved March 23, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPBkiBbO4_4 -
Farm Crisis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dFC13KNrvs
The Midwest was the first and main region impacted by a financial crisis that caused many farmers to have to give up their land, and farms. The cost of running a farm was too high for many individuals to keep up with, and most depended on the income from their farms for a living.
Resources:
I. (2013, September 06). Farm Crisis Impact on Rural Communities. Retrieved March 23, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dFC13KNrvs -
A Formal Region
The midwest is a formal region because it is determined by specific state boundaries. In 2006, the population was estimated at 66,217,736. It could also be considered a perceptual region because midwestern can be considered a type of person or linked to a type of behavior. Parts of the midwest are also functional regions like the Great Lakes.
New World Encyclopedia. (2013). Midwestern United States. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Midwestern_United_States -
Great Plains & Great Lakes Physical Characteristics
The midwest combines parts of the Great Plains to the west of the Mississippi and parts of the Great Lakes to the east. Much of the Great Plains is covered in prairie and grassland while the Great Lakes contains vast forest and wilderness areas and the largest surface freshwater system on earth.
GLCR. (2013). Physical Characteristics. Retrieved from http://greatlakesresilience.org/climate-environment/physical-characteristics
Photo: https://goo.gl/images/B1BmTh -
People and Characteristics
https://youtu.be/yHs25PZ5Uf4
The people of the midwest are known for being honest, hard-working, all around good people. The midwest is also known for agriculture and it's farmland, growing wheat, corn, soybeans and rice. The weather is unpredictable and can be harsh.
Studies Weekly. (2016). The Midwest: People and Characteristics. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHs25PZ5Uf4 -
The Midwest is the Best
The midwest is a great place to live, work and visit. From the Gateway Arch to Mount Rushmore, there are many attractions to see. The midwest is known for having great schools, nice people, and good food.
Here is a link to 101 Reasons to love the midwest! http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/around-the-region/101-reasons-we-love-the-midwest/
Photo: https://goo.gl/images/qQ5Jbm
