This guide looks at the dynamic Westward Expansion period of U.S. history and examines the social, economic and political impacts of the wave of immigrants from China to the United States at that time.
Each lesson plan is designed to be flexible and adaptable based on the needs of your class. They can be used separately, together or in conjunction with any of the other recommended lessons and resources provided. The lesson plan “Immigrant Workers on the Transcontinental Railroad” invites students to explore the perception and treatment of Chinese and Irish immigrant workers on the Transcontinental Railroad through primary and secondary sources. The lesson plan “19th Century Legal Battles over Chinese Immigration” asks students to research some of the laws and court cases that systematically denied rights to Chinese immigrants. All the lessons in this guide ask students to do the critical work of making connections
between history and present day. Students will find that many acts of exclusion,resistance and inclusion from the 1800s still reverberate today, and they may be inspired to consider their place in this history as it continues.
More resources available at The Immigrant Learning Center at https://www.ilctr.org/promoting-immigrants/ilc-workshops/educators-2/
