US History

 

11th Grade US History covers modern US History from 1865 - 2000. During the year we will examine historical event by analyzing their social, economic and political ramifications. Our guiding question for the year is: How did America transform politically, socially and economically from Reconstruction to the Modern Age? 

The course is arranged (chronologically) as follows:

1. Historical Thinking Skills (1776-1865): Review of major social, economic, and political events from founding to the end of the civil war. Each lesson is designed to introduce you to one of the “big six” historical thinking skills.

2. Reconstruction (1865 - 1880): How does America change socially, politically, and economically following the civil war?

3. New Frontiers (1870 - 1900): What are the social, political, and economic ramifications of European/Asian immigration and the settlement of the mid-west and western portions of the United States?

4. The Gilded Age (1870-1900): How did industrialization effect the United States socially, politically and economically?

5. The Progressive Era (1880s-1920s): What caused the Progressive era and how did progressive era reforms effect the country socially, politically, and economically?

6. Imperialism (1890-1920): Why did the US become an imperialist power and what are imperialisms social, political and economic consequences?

7. The Roaring 20s (1920-1929): Why was the roaring 20s considered ‘an age of excess’ and how did it influence America socially, politically and economically?

8. The Great Depression (1929-1942): What caused the Great Depression and how did America change economically, socially, and politically as a result?

9. World War II (1939-1945): What caused America's involvement in WWII, and how did the war effect the country economically, politically and socially both short-term and long-term?

10. The Early Cold War (1945-1960): Why did the United States enter in to a cold war with Russia and what ramifications did this conflict have for the United States politically, economically, and socially?

11. Civil Rights Movement (1950s- 1960s): How did the Civil Rights Movement transform the country economically, politically, and socially?

12. The Vietnam Years (1960s-mid 1970s): What caused the US to fight a war in Vietnam and what were the social, political, and economic ramifications of its participation?

13. The Road to Modern America (Late 1970s - 2000s): What caused the cold war to end and what were the consequences for America politically, socially and economically? How did September 11th transform modern America socially, politically, and economically?