2010 Northern Nevada Teaching American History
Elko Summer Institute
The Ways Across the West:
From Trail to Rail to Highway
Covered wagon with jackrabbit mules encounters an automobile on the trail near Big Springs, Nebraska. By A. L. Westgard, 1912. (Library of Congress ARC Identifier: 513358)
Summer Institute Topic: The Ways Across the West”
2010 Essential Questions and Historical Questions
Essential Question #1: Does expansion of a nation represent progress?
Historical Questions:
- Did individual pioneers find a better life (progress) in the West?
- Did transportation (railroads, overland trails, highways) promote progress in our nation?
Essential Question #2: What relationship exists between movement of people and freedom?
Historical Questions
- How did the movement of American affect the freedom of peoples already settled in the West (i.e. native Americans, Mexicans, Spaniards, Fur trappers)
- Did freedom lure settlers West?
- Did the movement West ensure more freedom for individuals?
Essential Question #3: What justifies the promotion of one group cultures and political values over another?
Historical Questions
- What specific aspects of pioneer culture were promoted at the expense of “others”?
- In what ways were Native American and pioneer cultural and political values different from each other?
- Why did one groups’ values become promoted (dominant) over time?
In Partnership with:
Great Basin College: Professor Cyd McMullen
University of Nevada, Reno: Professor Bill Rowley
California National Historic Trail Interpretive Center
Washoe County School District: Sue Davis & Angela Orr
June 13-18, 2010
