"The Significance of the
Antebellum Period Transportation Revolution"

II. LESSON PLAN:

An inquiry into the Transportation Revolution in the United States during the 1830s to 1850s.

1)  Brief Overview
In this lesson students will…analyze sources and participate in simulations in order to understand the role that transportation played in developing the American economy in the 1800s as well as today.

2)  Before You Teach

• Be sure that students understand what the term economy means.
• Be sure that students understand what transportation is. 

3)  Lesson in Brief

Time frame:

65 Minutes

Lesson Steps:

1. Do Now
(Handout 1, Part I)

2. Oakland then-and-now source analysis
(Handout 1, Part II)

3. Railroad map analysis
(Handout 3)

4. Transportation and urban growth simulation
(Handout 4)

5. Debrief: Reflect on original question