Advanced Placement American
History
Mr. John Simpson
NHHS Social Studies Department
Teacher of American History
(908) 713-4199x4204
jsimpson@nhvweb.net
Topical Outline: Unit Organization
1.
Exploration through the French-Indian War: (3 weeks-Chapters 1-5-pages 3-126). Enduring
Understanding: Between 1607 and 1763, the British North American colonies gained experience
in, and the expectation of, self-government in the development of political, religious, economic
and social institutions. Topics: Early inhabitants of the Americas, American Indian empires in
Mesoamerica, the Southwest, and the Mississippi Valley, American Indian cultures of North
American at the time of European contact, exploration, colonization, governmental development,
economic development, religious development, colonial wars, salutary neglect, social
development, The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening.
2. Treaty of Paris (1763) through the Constitution: (3 weeks-Chapters 5-6-pages 127-190).
Enduring Understandings: Between 1763 and 1776, British attempts to exert control over the
colonies led to violent, organized, successful resistance. The Articles of Confederation provided a
reasonable and workable transition from the unitary system of British rule to the federal system
established under the Constitution. Topics: British tax policy, colonial reaction, intercolonial
unity, intercolonial conflict, independence movement, revolution, revolutionary change, Articles
of Confederation, Constitution.
3. Early National Period through Era of Good Feelings: (3 weeks-Chapters 7-9-pages 191-257).
Enduring Understandings: Between 1789 and 1820, conflict over the increasing power of the
national government created intensified sectional tension. Between 1789 and 1823, geographic
isolation allowed the United States to pursue a policy of selective involvement in world affairs.
Topics: federalism, first American party system, Hamilton’s economic plan, neutrality and
foreign policy, Jeffersonian democracy, Supreme court cases, territorial expansion, freedom of the
seas, War of 1812, convention system, national market economy, industrial revolution,
transportation revolution, agricultural revolution, nationalism, sectionalism, Ear of Good Feelings.
4. Age of Jackson: (3 weeks-Chapters 9-10-pages 258-310). Enduring Understanding: In the
1820’s and 1830’s during and after the presidency of Andrew Jackson, popular political
movements expanded, the two-party political system merged, the power of the presidency
increased, America became more optimistic and expansionist, and sectionalism supplanted
nationalism. Topics: Jacksonian democracy, second American party system, democratization,
sectionalism, reform movements, Native Americans, Bank War, nullification, American
Renaissance, Manifest Destiny, slavery, tariff controversy, states’ rights debates.
5. Causes of the Civil War through Reconstruction 1840-1877: (3 weeks-Chapters 11-16-pages
311-500). Enduring Understandings: The Civil War caused by historic economic, social, and
political sectional differences that crystallized around the slavery issue. The Civil War effectively
determined the nature of the Union, the economic direction of the United States, and political
control of the country. Topics: Sectionalism, abolition, expansion of slavery, apologists,
Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, third American party system, popular controversies
over slavery, economic development, social development, Civil War ( social, economic, political
consequences), amendments, Reconstruction (economic, political, social consequences),
Compromise of 1877, politics of segregation.
6. Gilded Age through Populism-Post Civil War-1890’s: (3 weeks-Chapters 17-20-pages 501615). Enduring Understanding: The Gilded Age fostered the consolidation of business, the
beginnings of governmental involvement in the economy, and the organization of disadvantaged
economic and social classes. Topics: Grantism, corruption, politics, rise of big business, agrarian
reform, labor movement, Native Americans, cattle frontier, mining frontier, agricultural frontier,
immigration, urbanization, Social Gospel, Social Darwinism, changing function of government.
7. New Imperialism, Progressivism, and World War I: (4 weeks-Chapters 20-22-pages 616-694).
Enduring Understandings: From 1890 to 1918, the United States became increasingly active
and aggressive in world affairs. The Progressive movement partially succeeded in improving life
for average Americans by curbing big business, making the government more responsive to the
will of the people, and enacting social welfare legislation. Topics: New Imperialism, SpanishAmerican War, Big Stick policy (jingoism), internationalism, Progressive reform (political, social,
economic), regulatory agencies, Square Deal, Old Guard (Conservative Republicans led by
Speaker of the House “Uncle Joe Cannon) versus Insurgents (Progressive Republicans who sought
to limit the power of the Speaker of the House), New Nationalism, New Freedom, Supreme Court
and social welfare, World War I (economic, political, social consequences), the Committee on
Public Information, Red Scare, Treaty of Versailles.
8. 1920’s through the New Deal: (4 weeks-Chapters 23-24-pages 696-762). Enduring
Understandings: Disillusionment with the idealism that led the country into World War I drove
Americans to fear change and difference and to retreat into a superficial shell of self-satisfaction.
The Great Depression and New Deal resulted in an expectation of government intervention to
maintain the economic stability of the nation. Topics: fear of change and difference, value
conflicts, mass society, consumerism, technological development, foreign policy, social changes,
arts and entertainment, economics “normalcy,” Great Depression, New Deal, relief, recovery,
reform, public works projects, labor, political realignment, changing function of government,
modernism.
9. World War II through 1960: (2 weeks-Chapters 25-27-pages 764-856). Enduring
Understandings: Between World War II and 1960, the New Deal philosophy that the
government was a legitimate agent of social welfare became firmly embedded in the American
mind. The Cold War led the United States to pursue an ambivalent policy of confrontation,
negotiation, and preparedness between 1945 and 1970. Topics: 1930s foreign policy, neutrality,
World War II ( political, economic, social consequences), strategies and battles, postwar
demobilization, Fair Deal, Red Scare, containment, Cold War, NSC 68, Korean War, modern
Republicanism, massive retaliation, social changes, politics of the 1950’s, consumerism, baby
boom.
10. 1960 through the Present: (2 weeks-Chapters 28-32-pages 858-1008). Enduring
Understandings: Disillusionment with the increasingly violent protest of the 1960s and the social
movements in their aftermath led to the rise of conservative ideology and political groups between
1968 and 1992. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, America’s foreign policy groped for
ways to promote world peace with minimal U.S. direct military involvement. Technological
developments between 1950 and 2000 radically altered the economic, social, and moral fiber of
the nation. Topics: Liberalism, civil rights, feminism, identity politics, political activism, foreign
policy, Vietnam, youth culture, poverty, conservative resurgence, energy, Watergate, malaise,
Reagan revolution ( foreign policy, economy, social issues), technology and affluence, post-Cold
War foreign policy, Middle East, multiculturalism, welfare, Clinton scandals.
Throughout the units the following United States History themes will be discussed and studied:
1. American Diversity
2. American Identity
3. Culture
4. Demographic Changes
5. Economic transformations
6. Environment
7. Globalization
8. Politics and Citizenship
9. Reform
10. Religion
11. Slavery and its legacies in North American
12. War and Diplomacy
A brief explanation of each of these themes can be found in the United States History Course Description
packet.