American History I Course and Units 1-4
Course DescriptionCourse Description: American History I: The Founding Principles will begin with the European exploration of the new world through Reconstruction. Students will examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States from European exploration and colonial settlement to the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. Students will learn about the important political and economic factors that contributed to the development of colonial America and the outbreak of the American Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing and key ideas of the U.S. Constitution. American History I: The Founding Principles will guide students as they study the establishment of political parties, America’s westward expansion, the growth of sectional conflict, how that sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction.
Moving to College and Career Readiness: Students who complete this course will be able to go beyond memorization of isolated facts and be able to develop higher level thinking skills. Students will be able to make historical assessments and evaluations. |
Unit 1: Three Worlds Collide: Natives, Exploration and Colonization (1491-1754)
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Unit 2: Revolution to Constitution (1754-1789)
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Unit 3: A New Nation (1789 - 1815)
Test Date: October 19th, 2017 Essential Questions: 1. How does the Washington administration define the power and limits of the federal government? 2. How does the Adams’ administration challenge the power of the federal government? (civil liberties, foreign policy, states’ rights) 3. How does the Jefferson administration change the power of the federal government and interpret the Constitution? (foreign policy, Election of 1800) 4. How did the case of Marbury v. Madison strengthen the Supreme Court? 5. In what ways did the War of 1812 create a stronger national government and patriotism as well as increase sectional tension? |
Unit 4: Sectionalism and Nationalism (1800 - 1850)
Test Date: November 9th, 2017 Essential Questions: 1. How did the political, economic and cultural events develop American nationalism? 2. How did the political, economic and cultural events develop sectionalism? 3. What were the causes and effects of American nationalism and sectionalism? 4. How did Jackson’s presidency impact the political, cultural and economic life of America? 5. How does sectionalism create conflict and compromise? |