Westward Travel Physical Features and Climate By: Mrs. Coates Standard/Objective Analyze the geographic and economic factors that influenced westward expansion and the ways that these factors affected travel and settlement, including physical features of the land; the climate and natural resources; and land ownership and other economic opportunities. 0 Today you will explain and illustrate the 3 physical features of the West as well as the climate of the West. Western Settlement 0 After the Civil War, many people wanted to move to other parts of the country. 0 Remember, in 4 th grade we learned about how the country gained most of the land that makes up the current United States. 0 People were interested in settling the west then, but now, even more people wanted to go to the west. Why the West? 0 So why did people move to the West? 0 Economic opportunity, or better known as.. 0 MONEY!!! Moving West 0 Pioneers traveled to places like St. Louis, which was called the Gateway to the West. 0 From there they traveled by covered wagon across trails that had originally been created by Native Americans. 0 Explorers and mountain men followed the Native American trails and wrote guidebooks that helped to show the way to the pioneers who came afterwards. 0 The trails became easier to follow as more and more settlers traveled them. What was life like on the move West? 0 They traveled on lands that were different than the Eastern part of the country. 0 The weather was very different, too. Physical Features 0 Dry, flat, desert-like lands 0 Rivers 0 Mountain Rangesl Dry, Flat Lands 0 Many people didnt want to settle in the Great Plains at first because it was so dry and flat. 0 They even called it the Great American Desert 0 It was very difficult to farm and grow crops in the area. 0 Eventually, the use of technology (plow, wind mills, reaper) helped the Plains become a better place to settle. Montana--USA Rivers 0 Much of the center of the country was dry and flat, but there were some LARGE river systems that made travel difficult. 0 The Mississippi River 0 The Columbia River 0 The Colorado River 0 The Snake River The Mississippi River The Columbia River The Colorado River The Snake River Mountains 0 The Rocky Mountains run a long distance through the center of the country. 0 There were many trails that traveled through the Rocky Mountains. 0 The trails were difficult to travel on in covered wagons and even more difficult when the weather changed. rica%29 Rocky Mountains Mississippi River Columbia River Snake River Colorado River Climate 0 Hot, dry summers brought drought, dust storms, and swarms of insects. 0 Winters brought great amounts of snow. 0 Spring brought large amounts of rain and floods. 0 Storms were often accompanied by tornadoes. 0 Unpredictable weather such as early snows or late-spring hailstorms could ruin crops and imperil livelihoods. 0 All of these conditions made travel very difficult. 0 Timing of adventures was very important to travel. Review 0 People traveled west in search of economic opportunities. 0 Physical Features of the West: 0 Dry, flat lands 0 Large river systems 0 Mountain ranges 0 Climate in the West: 0 Heavy rains in spring; hot, dry summers; cold, snowy winters Guided Practice 0 With partners, you are going to complete a Pair Share with the information from todays lesson. 0 Partner A: Today I learned.. 0 Partner B: That was a very interesting point. I also learned 0 Partner A: I remember that, too. Another fact we learned was 0 Continue until time is up. Independent Practice 0 On a United States map, you are going to illustrate the 3 physical features common in the west. 0 You will also explain the climate of the West.