II. Revolution and Constitution
An interdisciplinary course combining
the study of United States History with the study of American
literature. The course is a survey of American and United States
History from pre-Columbian time through the Viet-Nam War. It is
topical rather than chronological revolving around the essential
question of \what is an American? The goals of the class are to have
the student experience and comprehend, \N within a historical
perspective, the people and events that created the America society
and how this experience is reflected in the literature of the time.
The course emphasizes the rich multi-cultural heritage of the United
States and addresses the needs of our own multi-cultural student
body. To provide the students with a basic understanding of the facts
and significance of the Constitution of the United States. Our
teaching approach stresses the Nine Common Principles with a focus on
writing across the curriculum and alternative assessment.
Unit I immigration: Essential question: What is an American?
Suggested time: Weeks 1-7
First Quarter: American Journey
Learning Outcomes: SS 2, 3, 4, 5, 9. 11. LA 1, 3, 4, 5,
A. Reasons for colonization 1607-1800
1. religious
2. economic
3. political
B. Factors affecting regional differences.
1. climate
2. geography
3. culture
C. Factors regarding immigration
1. 1800- 1870
a. political unrest
b. economic
c. social
2. 1880-1920
a. political
b. economic
c. social
E. Nativist movements v. immigrants
F. Reevaluating America
1. 1900- 1960
a. Melting Pot
b. Shared Culture
c. Assimilation
2. 1960-2000
a. Special interests
b. Heritage
c. Fragmentation
Unit II Revolution and Constitution
Time: Weeks 7- 10
Learning Outcomes: SS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11. LA 1, 3, 4, 5.
Background
1. Anglo-French Wars
2. Benign neglect
B. Renewal of British control
I . Mercantilist policy
a. Colonial reaction
b. British Response
c. Failure to compromise
C. Revolution
1. Declaration of independence
a. Philosophical background
b. Purpose
c. Text
2. Chronology
3. Minority roles in the Revolution
4. Independence
D. Building a new Nation
1. Developing state governments
2. Articles of Confederation
a. accomplishments
b. failures
E. Writing the Constitution
1. Philadelphia Convention
a. conflict
b. compromise
2. Ratification
F. The Federal Constitution
1. Preamble
2. Articles
3. Amendments
4. Significance
G. The Illinois State Constitution
1. Preamble
2. Articles
3. Amendments
H. PL 195 Exam
III. Struggle for Identity
Time: Weeks 11 - 20
Second Quarter: Speeches, poems, and
Learning Outcomes: SS 2, 3, 4, 5, 9. 11. LA 1, 3, 4, 5.
A. Personalities who shaped America
1. Washington
2 Hamilton v. Jefferson
3. Marshall
4. Jefferson
B. Jacksonian Democracy
C. Creating an American Spirit
1. The Arts
a. literature
b. music
c. painting
2. Reform Movements
3. Science
D. Expanding America
1. Crossing the Alleghenies
2. Louisiana Purchase
3. Transportation
a. Roads
b. Canals
c. Railroads
d. New methods and inventions
4. To the Mississippi
5. Impact on Native Americans
a. Indian Removal Act
b. Trail of Tears
c. Black Hawk War
6. To the Pacific
a. Oregon Trail
b. The 49ers
7. Manifest Destiny
a. Background justification
b. Texas/Mexican War
c. Effect on Spanish population.
8. Settling the Plains
a. Indian Wars
b. Farmers v. Ranchers Range Wars
c. The Railroads
9. Impact of Westward movement
a. political
b. economic
c. social
d. environmental
E. Crisis of the American Spirit
1. Sectionalism
a. background
b. compromises
c. sectional drift
2. Slavery
a. Background
b. Northern reaction
c. Southern reaction
d Slave resistance
3. Failure to Compromise
IV Redefining America: 1860-1980
Time: Week 21-25
Third Quarter: Research Paper
A. Civil War
1. Political
2. Economic
3. Military
4. Outcome
E. Reconstruction
1. Johnson v Congress
2. Radical Reconstruction
a. Amendments
b. Reconstruction governments
3. Southern Reaction
a. Ku Klux Klan
b. Jim Crow Laws
c. "Separate but Equal"
F. African-American, Experience as a Racially Divided Society 1865-1945
1. Early Leadership
a. Frederick Douglass
b. Booker T. Washington
c. W. E. B. Dubois
d. Marcus Garvey
e. Philip Randolph
2. Cultural Expression
a. Jazz
b. Harlem Renaissance
c. Chicago Brownsville
d. Sports
G. Post-War Struggle for Civil Rights, 1945-1980
1. Struggle against Segregation
a. Integration of Armed Forces
b. Brown v Board of Education
c. Integrating the Sports World
2. The Non-Violence Movement
a. Methods
b. Personalities
c. Accomplishments
d. Reaction
H. The Struggle For Civil Rights Expands
1. The Women's Movement
2. Hispanic Movement
3. Native American Involvement
4. Gay/Lesbian movement
5. Reaction
V The Making of Modern America
Time: Week 26-30
A. Industrialism
B. Labor Movement
C. Imperialism
a. Pacific
b. Asia
c. Spanish American War
D. Reform Progressives
a. Political
b. Social
c. Economic
E. The War to End All Wars
1. Reasons
2. Battles
3. Reaction
a. Roaring 20s
b. Isolationism
VII.TESTING DEMOCRACY, 1920-1990
Fourth Quarter: Presentation of an American Quilt at International Fest and Final on What is an American And How It Has Changed
Time: Week 31 - 39
A. Depression
B. New Deal
C. World War II
D. Cold War
1. McCarthyism
2. U2
E. Foreign involvement
1. Middle East
2. Korea
3. Viet-Nam
F. Kennedy Assassination
G. The Great Society
H. Turmoil of the 60/70s
I. Watergate
J. The Republicans 1980- 1992
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© 1998 Mather High School