Essential Questions
Week 1
1. Identify the major domestic issues of the Federalist Era?
2. Describe the U.S.’s relationship with foreign countries?
3. Assess the political freedoms available for the American people and compare
them to today.
Week 2
1. Analyze the effects of territorial expansion and the admission of new states to the
U.S.?
2. Describe how the growth of nationalism and sectionalism were reflected in art,
literature, and language.
3. Describe how economic and social issues lead to sectionalism and nationalism?
Week 3
1. Identify some of the major reform movements of this time and how effective were
they?
2. Describe how religion played a role in the issue of slavery and other social
movements at this time?
3. Describe the significance of the Mexican War. Economically, socially and
politically.
Week 4
1. Analyze and assess the causes of the Civil War?
2. Identify some of the political and military turning points of the Civil War and
assess their significance to the outcome of the conflict.
Week 5
1. Identify some of the political, economic, and social impacts of Reconstruction?
2. Why did Reconstruction come to an end?
3. How was the Civil War and Reconstruction a test of supremacy of the national
government?
Week 6/7
1. How did immigration and industrialization have an effect on urban life?
2. How was wealth and power gained in the urban setting?
3. How did labor unions have an effect on industry and the lives of workers?
4. Describe the changing role of government in economic and political affairs.
Week 8
1. Who were some of the people that moved west during and after reconstruction.
2. Describe some of the problems these people faced.
3. Analyze the impact of their settlement and assess the impact it had on the
environment.
4. What were some of the innovations in agricultural technology?
5. Describe the rise and decline in Populism.
Week 9
1. Identify progressivism and assess its impact on American society.
2. How did different groups gain economic and political power during the
Progressive period?
3. Who are these groups?
4. Identify the effects of racial segregation on different regions of U.S. society and
the impact it had on future generations.
5. Identify technological changes during this time?
6. How did these changes impact society?
Week 10
1. How did the U.S. take an increased role in world affairs?
2. Identify improvements/changes in the U.S. military, and government, and foreign
relations?
3. How did these new developments/changes have an effect on the world?
Week 11
1. Why did the U.S. remain neutral at the beginning of WWI?
2. Identify some of the political and military turning points of WWI.
3. Identify the causes of Americas involvement in WWI
4. Identify the political, economic, social, and cultural effects of the war?
Week 12/13
1. Identify the boom – bust cycle and assess the impact of boom to bust on different
segments of American society.
2. Describe the prosperity for the different segments of society during this time.
3. Identify the social, intellectual, and technological changes of this time and explain
their significance?
4. Describe the changes in religion, race, and gender.
5. Describe the New Deal and the impact it had on American Society.
Week 14
1. Identify and assess the causes of WWII?
2. Describe why the US entered WWII..
3. What are the military, political, and diplomatic turning points of the war?
4. What are the effects of the war?
Week 15
1. Identify changes in foreign policies that are linked to the Cold War?
2. Describe some organizations/treaties/pacts that are created to maintain peace
throughout the world?
3. How did the Cold War affect the economic, political, and social life in the U.S.?
4. Trace the Civil Rights Movement and evaluate its impact.
5. Who were some important figures during the Civil Rights Movement?
Week 16
1. Identify some of the major reform movements during this time? (woman, young
people, the environment, minorities)
2. Describe why America entered the Korean War.
3. Identify the major events of the Korean War.
Week 17
1. Identify the causes of the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War?
2. Describe the impact of the Vietnam War on American society.
3. Identify and describe the impact of technology on American society during the
Vietnam War.
Week 18
1. Identify and describe recent constitutional amendments, court rulings, and federal
legislation on U.S. citizens?
2. Identify and assess technological innovations at this time?
3. Describe the growing racial and ethnic diversity in 21st century America.
4. Describe the impact of 21st century terrorism.