American history is the story of America’s past. What a wonderful opportunity to explore the physical and human geography of our country. Stories abound and are enhanced by maps.
Explore the diffusion of inventions from England to the United States in the 1840s. Use the Story Map Tour to follow links to learn more about the inventors and impacts of their inventions on 
society and economic progress in the United States in 1840.
The process of historical thinking analyzed and described through the word of Dr. Sam Wineburg of Stanford University and the Stanford History Education Group can readily be applied to the analysis of maps. The four stages: sourcing, contextualization, corroboration or cross checking, and close reading provide a vehicle to assemble an argument with evidence. Critical thinking is supported as the students make and test generalizations and draw conclusions. Maps analyzed through inquiry provide additional insights into the human experience. Check out authentic assessments for history in the Beyond the Bubble, a new generation of history assessments.
Sources and the historical thinking process described above are embedded in this Story Map Journal, the Rise of American Expansionism.