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United States History

The goal of the course is to infuse you with the knowledge of over 500 years of American history. This will be no simple task given our time constraints, but it is one that we will attack vigorously. What you will be expected to learn in this class is not just a select group of facts; instead, you will be asked to develop your own personal interpretation of American history.

This course examines the major turning points in American history beginning with the events leading up to the American Revolution, the origins of our constitution, reform movements, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the impact of the frontier, the changing nature of business and government, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the growth of the United States as a world power, the Cold War and the struggle to achieve class, ethnic, racial, and gender equality. The course extends to the modern day.

Contemporary world issues such as globalization, economic interdependence, terrorism, and world cultures will also factor into our analysis of international conflict and cooperation.

Please remember that you are in control of your success in this class.
 Take responsibility for your work and be accountable for your actions.
DATECLASS CALENDAR / INFORMATION
Monday
February 4
THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR II

CLASS PRESENTATION: 
New Ideas / Leaders in the 1930s 
Tuesday
February 5
THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
**TOPIC: WORLD WAR II

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1. PEOPLE'S CENTURY, Master Race - Nazism Overtakes German Society

2. 
The Rise of Fascism
Wednesday February 6THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR II

CLASS PRESENTATION: Untold History of the United States, Chapter 1 - WORLD WAR II
Thursday February 7 NO CLASS 
Friday February 8THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR II

CLASS PRESENTATION: World War II Propaganda

NOTES: U.S. Involvement in World War II

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: WORLD WAR II WebQuest - DUE FRIDAY AT THE START OF CLASS
Monday
February 11
THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR II

CLASS PRESENTATION: 
1.
World War II - Military and Diplomatic Fronts
2.
World War II - The Home Front

NOTES:
1. 
The Home Front
2.
World War II Conferences and Treaties

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: WORLD WAR II WebQuest - DUE FRIDAY AT THE START OF CLASS 
Tuesday February 12THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
**TOPIC: WORLD WAR II

CLASS PRESENTATION: Untold History of the United States, Chapter 3 - THE BOMB 

NOTES:

1.
PRO and CON on DROPPING THE ATOMIC BOMB
2. Asking the Scientists: To Drop OR Not To Drop 
CLASS ACTIVITY:

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: WORLD WAR II WebQuest - DUE FRIDAY AT THE START OF CLASS
Wednesday February 13THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR II

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1.
ATROCITY TRIALS
2. 
Internment of Japanese Americans

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: WORLD WAR II WebQuest - DUE FRIDAY AT THE START OF CLASS  
Thursday February 14NO CLASS 
Friday February 15THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: "MODERN" AMERICA'S NEW FOREIGN POLICY - IMPERIALISM

CLASS PRESENTATION: 
U.S. EXPANSION & THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

NOTES:
1.
PRO-Imperialism vs. ANTI-Imperialism 
2.
The Spanish-American War

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT:
IMPERIALISM WRITING ASSIGNMENT - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON WEDNESDAY 
Monday
February 18
Presidents’ Day – NO CLASSES 
Tuesday February 19THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: "MODERN" AMERICA'S NEW FOREIGN POLICY - IMPERIALISM 

CLASS PRESENTATION: American Experience - Panama Canal   

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT:
IMPERIALISM WRITING ASSIGNMENT - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON WEDNESDAY
Wednesday February 20THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR I

CLASS PRESENTATION: 
The Great War

NOTES:  
1.
U.S. Entrance into World War I
2.
The Home Front 
3.
Treaty of Versailles / Ratification Battle
4. POWER NOTES -
World War I 
Thursday February 21NO CLASS 
Friday
February 22
LOTS OF SNOW, NOT ENOUGH ELECTRICITY
Monday
February 25
THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR I

CLASS PRESENTATION: They Shall Not Grow Old
Tuesday February 26**THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR I

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1. Finish 
They Shall Not Grow Old
2. INFLUENZA 1918
Wednesday February 27THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR I

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1.
WW I - Posters and Cartoons
2. U.S. Role in World War I

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: World War I Worksheet (REVISED) - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON TUESDAY
-
HAND-OUT #1
-
HAND-OUT #2
-
HAND-OUT #3
Thursday
February 28
NO CLASS 
Friday
March 1
THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: WORLD WAR I

CLASS ACTIVITY: 14 Points - Versailles Conference - League of Nations - Disillusionment

NOTES:  
1.
U.S. Entrance into World War I
2.
The Home Front 
3.
Treaty of Versailles / Ratification Battle
4. POWER NOTES -
World War I

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: World War I Worksheet (REVISED) - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON TUESDAY 
-
HAND-OUT #1
-
HAND-OUT #2
-
HAND-OUT #3
Monday
March 4
THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: MANIFEST DESTINY and WESTWARD EXPANSION

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1.
MANIFEST DESTINY
2.
TEXAS REVOLUTION
3. America, The Story of Us - Westward

NOTES:
1.
MANIFEST DESTINY
2.
WESTWARD EXPANSION TIMELINE

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: World War I Worksheet (REVISED) - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON TUESDAY 
-
HAND-OUT #1
-
HAND-OUT #2
-
HAND-OUT #3
Tuesday
March 5
**THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: MANIFEST DESTINY and WESTWARD EXPANSION

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1. MEXICAN WAR
2. California Gold Rush

NOTES:
1. 
MEXICAN WAR CHART
2.
The Conquest of Northern Mexico - THE MEXICAN PERSPECTIVE
Wednesday March 6 THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR   
       
CLASS PRESENTATION: 
CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR

NOTES: 
1.
Timeline of Events Leading Up To The  Civil War
2.
The Secession Crisis
3.
Causes of the Civil War 
Thursday March 7NO CLASS 
Friday
March 8
THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: THE CIVIL WAR

CLASS PRESENTATION: 10 DAYS - ANTIETAM

NOTES: 
KEY EVENTS & BATTLES CHART 

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: Choose ONE of the following - DUE WEDNESDAY
1.
The American Civil War Simulation
   a.
DIRECTIONS
   b.
Why Did the Union Win the War? WORKSHEET

2.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S CROSSROADS
   a. ANSWER the 13 Questions on President Lincoln's Decisions
   b. Copy and Paste your results into an email

3. Think you would be a good military leader? Try this online game:
GETTYSBURG GAME - Could YOU Have Won the Battle of Gettysburg?
Monday
March 11
THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: THE CIVIL WAR

CLASS PRESENTATION: THE CIVIL WAR

NOTES: KEY EVENTS & BATTLES CHART

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: Choose ONE of the following - DUE WEDNESDAY
1.
The American Civil War Simulation
   a.
DIRECTIONS
   b.
Why Did the Union Win the War? WORKSHEET

2.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S CROSSROADS
   a. ANSWER the 13 Questions on President Lincoln's Decisions
   b. Copy and Paste your results into an email

3. Think you would be a good military leader? Try this online game:
GETTYSBURG GAME - Could YOU Have Won the Battle of Gettysburg?
Tuesday
March 12
**THEME #2: WAR & PEACE
TOPIC: THE CIVIL WAR

CLASS PRESENTATION: CIVIL WAR, The Better Angels of Our Nature

NOTES: END OF THE WAR

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: Choose ONE of the following - DUE WEDNESDAY
1.
The American Civil War Simulation
   a.
DIRECTIONS
   b.
Why Did the Union Win the War? WORKSHEET

2.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S CROSSROADS
   a. ANSWER the 13 Questions on President Lincoln's Decisions
   b. Copy and Paste your results into an email

3. Think you would be a good military leader? Try this online game:
GETTYSBURG GAME - Could YOU Have Won the Battle of Gettysburg?
Wednesday March 13 THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY

THE THEORIES:
1. 10 Conspiracy Theories About the JFK Assassination
2. The 5 Biggest Kennedy Conspiracy Theories
3. The Kennedy Assassination Home Page
4. How Accurate is Oliver Stone's JFK?  
Thursday March 14NO CLASS 
Friday
March 15
THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY

CLASS PRESENTATION: JFK (much more HOLLYWOOD than HISTORY)
Monday
March 18
THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY

CLASS PRESENTATION: JFK 
Tuesday
March 19
**THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY

CLASS PRESENTATION: JFK
Wednesday March 20 THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY

CLASS PRESENTATION: Finish JFK

CLASS ACTIVITY: Who Killed President Kennedy? WebQuest - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON FRIDAY    
Thursday March 21NO CLASS 
Friday
March 22
THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - The Watergate Scandal and the Downfall of Richard Nixon

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1.
Nixon and Watergate
2. All the President's Men

NOTES:
1. The 1970s - A Crisis in Confidence
2. WATERGATE Chronology
Monday
March 25
NO CLASSES - Trip to MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM & HEARD MUSEUM
Tuesday
March 26
**THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - The Watergate Scandal and the Downfall of Richard Nixon

CLASS PRESENTATION: All the President's Men
Wednesday
March 27
THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - The Watergate Scandal and the Downfall of Richard Nixon

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1. Finish All the President's Men
2. Nixon and Watergate
Thursday
March 28
NO CLASS
Friday
March 29
THEME #3: POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND SCANDALS
TOPIC: Democracy at Risk - The Watergate Scandal and the Downfall of Richard Nixon

CLASS ACTIVITY: The Watergate Scandal and the Downfall of Richard Nixon WORKSHEET - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON MONDAY

VOTE on NEXT THEME: Economic History / Social Reform and Protest / American Culture (music and film)
Monday
April 1
THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY 
TOPIC: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 


CLASS PRESENTATION:
1.
Industrial Growth 
2.
Gilded Age = Economic Revolution

NOTES:
Growth of Big Business
Tuesday
April 2
**THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
TOPIC: The Changing Workplace = CONFLICT

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1.
The Triangle Fire
2. AMERICAN EXPERIENCE - THE TRIANGLE FIRE
3. TRIANGLE, Remembering the Fire

VACATION ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT:
Child Labor Web Quest - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON TUESDAY, APRIL 16th
Wednesday
April 3
THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
TOPIC: The Changing Workplace = CONFLICT

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1. 
The Organization of Labor
2. 
Labor Unions & Strikes
 
NOTES:
CHANGING STATUS OF LABOR

VACATION ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: Child Labor Web Quest - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON TUESDAY, APRIL 16th 
Thursday
April 4
NO CLASS 
Friday
April 5
THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
TOPIC: The Changing Workplace = CONFLICT

CLASS PRESENTATION: 10 DAYS - The Homestead Strike


VACATION ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT:
Child Labor Web Quest - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON TUESDAY, APRIL 16th

SPRING VACATION
Tuesday
April 16
THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
**TOPIC: The Stock Market Crash

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1. WATCH The Crash of 1929
2. READ AND REVIEW 
Causes of the Great Depression

NOTES:
Causes of the Great Depression
Wednesday April 17 THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
TOPIC: The Stock Market Crash

We need a CLASS LEADER - Someone ready to TAKE CHARGE!!!

1. WATCH 
AMERICA, The Story of U.S. - BUST
2.
READ AND REVIEW Surviving the Great Depression

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT:
THE CRASH WORKSHEETDUE AT START OF CLASS ON MONDAY 
Thursday  April 18NO CLASS  
Friday 
April 19
THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
TOPIC: The Great Depression

CLASS ACTIVITY: WORK ON 
THE CRASH WORKSHEETDUE AT START OF CLASS ON MONDAY

- Monday we will do Depression Era PRICE IS RIGHT 
Monday
April 22
THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
TOPIC: The Great Depression

CLASS ACTIVITY: Depression Era PRICE IS RIGHT
Tuesday
April 23
**THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
TOPIC: The New Deal

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1.  AMERICA, The Story of U.S. - BUST
2.
 FDR & the New Deal 

NOTES:
NEW DEAL PROGRAMS: Relief - Recovery - Reform
Wednesday April 24 THEME #4: ECONOMIC HISTORY
TOPIC: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / HISTORY

CLASS PRESENTATION: 
AMERICA in 1950 vs. AMERICA TODAY 
Thursday April 25NO CLASS 
Friday
April 26
 
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
TOPIC: The 1950s

CLASS PRESENTATION: 10 DAYS - When America Was Rocked     
Monday
April 29
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
TOPIC: The 1950s

CLASS PRESENTATION: 
America's "Complicated" Culture in the 1950s

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT:
1950s American Culture Webquest - DUE AT END OF CLASS ON FRIDAY 
Tuesday
April 30
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
**TOPIC: AMERICAN CULTURE AND REFORM - WHAT IF? Teenagers from the 1990s time-traveled back to the 1950s

CLASS PRESENTATION: PLEASANTVILLE

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: 1950s American Culture Webquest - DUE AT END OF CLASS ON FRIDAY
Wednesday
May 1
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
TOPIC: AMERICAN CULTURE AND REFORM - WHAT IF? Teenagers from the 1990s time-traveled back to the 1950s

CLASS PRESENTATION: Finish PLEASANTVILLE

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT:
1. 1950s American Culture Webquest - DUE AT END OF CLASS ON FRIDAY
2. PLEASANTVILLE Discussion Questions - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON MONDAY
Thursday
May 2
NO CLASS  
Friday
May 3
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
TOPIC: The 1950s

CLASS ACTIVITY: WORK ON ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1950s American Culture Webquest - DUE AT END OF CLASS
2. PLEASANTVILLE Discussion Questions - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON MONDAY 
Monday
May 6
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
TOPIC: Women's Rights Movement

CLASS PRESENTATION:
1.
Women in US History - QUICK REVIEW
2.
Women's Liberation - 1920s and 1960s

NOTES:
Women's Rights Movement in the U.S TIMELINE

A Perspective on the Arts - Stasis: My Experiences With Hollywood Sexism and Why It Will Never Change
Tuesday
May 7
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
**TOPIC: Women's Rights Movement

CLASS PRESENTATION:
Hidden Figures

NOTES: DISCUSSION GUIDE for Hidden Figures
Wednesday
May 8
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
TOPIC: Women's Rights Movement

CLASS PRESENTATION: Finish Hidden Figures

ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT: Hidden Figures 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - DUE AT START OF CLASS ON FRIDAY

Another "Hidden Figure" from the 1960s: Dovey Johnson Roundtree, Barrier-Breaking Lawyer
(maybe you could make this movie) 
Thursday
May 9
NO CLASS 
Friday
May 10
TOPIC: SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

ONLINE ACTIVITY (internet permitting): 
ARGUMENT WARS - 9 Supreme Court Cases that you can argue - READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!
Monday
May 13
TOPIC: State of the Union (Southwestern Academy version)
Tuesday
May 14
**THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
TOPIC: 1960s Counter-Culture

CLASS PRESENTATION: 1968
Wednesday
May 15
THEME #5: SOCIAL HISTORY - REFORM & PROTEST
TOPIC: 1960s Counter-Culture

CLASS PRESENTATION:
The 1960s: Counter-Culture and Political Protest

NOTES:
The Counterculture 
Thursday
May 16
NO CLASS 
Friday
May 17
THEME #6: AMERICAN IDENTITY / CULTURE
TOPIC: MUSIC - JAZZ

CLASS PRESENTATION: Excerpts from JAZZ, A Film by Ken Burns  
Monday
May 20
THEME #6: AMERICAN IDENTITY / CULTURE
TOPIC: MUSIC - JAZZ

CLASS PRESENTATION: Excerpts from JAZZ, A Film by Ken Burns 
Tuesday
May 21
**TOPIC: Important Events / Accomplishments

CLASS PRESENTATION: Apollo 11
Wednesday
May 22
THEME #6: AMERICAN IDENTITY / CULTURE
TOPIC: MUSIC - Rock and Roll

CLASS PRESENTATION: Born to be Wild - The Golden Age of American Rock, Riders on the Storm
Thursday
May 23
NO CLASS 
Friday
May 24
THEME #6: AMERICAN IDENTITY / CULTURE
TOPIC: MUSIC - Rock and Roll


CLASS PRESENTATION: Born to be Wild - The Golden Age of American Rock, School's Out
Monday
May 27
MEMORIAL DAY – NO CLASSES
Tuesday
May 28
**TOPIC: U.S. History Final Exam Project - 4 OPTIONS

- OPTION #1: U.S. HISTORY "TOP TEN" LIST
- OPTION #2:
POLITICAL / ECONOMIC / SOCIAL EVENT ANALYSIS
- OPTION #3: 
ORDINARY AMERICANS, EXCEPTIONAL LIVES
- OPTION #4:
U.S. HISTORY "TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS" - DIRECTIONS / BRACKET / PARTICIPANTS

- RESEARCH CHOICES DUE BY END OF CLASS


- BE SURE TO READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY AND COMPLETE ALL PARTS OF YOUR CHOSEN PROJECT
 
Wednesday
May 29
TOPIC: U.S. History Final Exam Project

CLASS ACTIVITY: Work on Semester Exam Project

EMAIL - if you need / want to contact me:
kfarshtey@hotmail.com
kfarshtey@gmail.com 
Thursday
May 30
NO CLASS
Friday
May 31
SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS
8:30 - Period 1 Exams
1:00 - Period 2 Exams - ECONOMICS
Monday
June 3
SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS
8:30 - Period 3 Exams
1:00 - Period 4 Exams - CURRENT EVENTS
Tuesday
June 4
SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS
8:30 - Period 5 Exams -
U.S. HISTORY
1:00 - Period 6 Exams - WORLD CULTURES
Thursday
June 6
GRADUATION DAY