Buffalo and Westward Expansion
The enduring impact of manifest destiny
Join our educator for an introduction to the cultural and environmental significance of the bison in the American West, and examine the challenges posed by Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion. Students will challenge themselves to think critically and engage with a variety of museum exhibitions and collections objects to explore the immediate and long-term implications of westward expansion on cultures, ecology, and governance.
Additional resources
- Plains Indian Culture Yesterday and Today Sway Presentation
- Land of Many Gifts Content Curriculum
- Buffalo and the People Content Curriculum
- Honor and Celebration Content Curriculum
- Adversity and Renewal Content Curriculum
- K-12 Plains Indian Resources at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
- Pre Activity for Plains Indian Cultures
- Other Student and Teacher Resources
- Clues for the Classroom – Social Studies
YouTube videos
Buffalo and Westward Expansion
Grade Level: 6–12
Length: 45–60 minutes
Learning Objectives:
- Compare cultural and environmental significance of the bison in the American West
- Examine the doctrine of Manifest Destiny and the conflicts that resulted
- Analyze the contemporary impacts of Westward Expansion such as restoration of the buffalo in Indigenous communities, expressions of Tribal sovereignty, long-term environmental impacts, and/or governmental policies
