Rivers, Roads and Railroads
The geography of Kansas has been shaped by the methods of transportation used by its inhabitants. First, the rivers gave easier access to uncharted lands. Roads, which were little more than wagon ruts, were cut through the prairie by covered wagons of settlers moving westward. The location of railroads determined which towns lived or died. The Interstate Highway system, started by Kansas native Dwight D. Eisenhour facilitated travel between major cities, such as Wichita and Kansas City, and encouraged their growth.
Societies are shaped by people living in communities comprised and shaped by the identities, beliefs and practices of individuals and groups. Differing identities within communities requires change. What did that change look like over time? Use the Compelling Questions to analyze how Kansas was impacted by ease of transportation of people, goods and services. One Person One Vote shifted the balance between Urban and Rural - how did that shape Kansas? How did changing the composition of the legislature change Kansas? How long did that change take?
Map Kansas Rivers