---
title: "SS8H4: Georgia's Westward Expansion (Georgia Social Studies standard)"
code: SS8H4
cite_as: Georgia Standards of Excellence, Social Studies, SS8H4
subject: social_studies
grades:
  - grade-8
language: en
canonical_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/code/SS8H4
md_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/code/SS8H4.md
alternate_language_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/es/standards/code/SS8H4.md
source_url: https://case.georgiastandards.org/ims/case/v1p1/CFDocuments/a446e74c-463e-11e7-94f5-b49cee8b2d8c
source_last_changed: 2025-02-04
data_built: 2026-09-18
publisher: Georgia Homeroom, a free public-interest project of Georgia Civic Data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Georgia Department of Education or any school district.
up: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/social_studies/grade-8.md
index: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/index.md
---

# SS8H4: Georgia's Westward Expansion

Explain significant factors that affected westward expansion in Georgia between 1789 and 1840.

- Subject: Social Studies
- Appears in: Grade 8, https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/social_studies/grade-8.md

## Expectations

- **SS8H4.a**: Explain reasons for the establishment of the University of Georgia, and for the westward movement of Georgia's capitals.
- **SS8H4.b**: Evaluate the impact of land policies pursued by Georgia; include the headright system, land lotteries, and the Yazoo Land Fraud.
- **SS8H4.c**: Explain how technological developments, including the cotton gin and railroads, had an impact on Georgia's growth.
- **SS8H4.d**: Describe the role of William McIntosh in the removal of the Muscogee (Creek) from Georgia.
- **SS8H4.e**: Analyze how key people (John Ross, John Marshall, and Andrew Jackson) and events (Dahlonega Gold Rush and Worcester v. Georgia) led to the removal of the Cherokees from Georgia known as the Trail of Tears.

## Georgia Milestones coverage

- Social Studies Grade 8 (EOG). History. History (about 50% of the test; 23 points; shared with other standards, so count these points once and never add them up per standard)

Source: Georgia Standards of Excellence, published by the Georgia Department of Education at case.georgiastandards.org.