CONTENT STATEMENT
- The availability of natural resources contributed to the geographic and economic expansion of the United States, sometimes resulting in unintended environmental consequences.
CONTENT ELABORATION
The expansion of the United States, both geographically and economically, was influenced by the availability of its natural resources:
In the north, the abundance of resources allowed for the development of manufacturing and shipping.
In the south, the soil and climate was conducive for the growing of cash crops which drained southern soils of essential nutrients and helped force the westward expansion of the plantation system.
Expansion westward encouraged the building of canals and railroads, which in turn influenced further western migration.
New settlers negatively affected the environment by impacting native vegetation, sources of water, and wildlife for economic gain.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Analyze how the availability of natural resources contributed to the geographic and economic expansion of the United States.
Explain how the economic expansion of the United States sometimes resulted in unintended environmental consequences.