Contested West map

A file or printable companion for Boom Cards

by History Diva

Price: 200 points or $2 USD

Subjects: socialstudies,unitedStatesHistory

Grades: 8,9,10,11,12

Description: Help students visualize and understand the complexity of Westward Expansion with this engaging “Contested West” map activity! In this resource, students explore how the Great Plains became a region of conflict, opportunity, and change—especially with the growth of the railroad. Students will label and analyze key features of the Great Plains, track major railroad routes, and examine how expansion impacted different groups, including settlers, Native Americans, and businesses. By interacting directly with the map, students gain a clearer understanding of how geography and transportation shaped the development of the American West. This activity encourages students to think critically about why the West was “contested” and how competing interests led to both growth and conflict during this time period.