US HISTORY I
Course Outline
I. Overview of Course
Students investigate the significant events, political trends and social movements of United States history to
1920. Some of the topics are the American Revolution, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy, westward
expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the growth of industrialization, the reforms of the Progressive
Era, and World War I. Students are encouraged to analyze economic, political and social trends in American
history and to relate these trends to events today.
II. Subject Areas Covered
A. The American Revolution
Colonies fight for their rights
The Revolution Begins
The War for Independence
The War Changes American Society
B. Creating a Constitution
The Confederation
A New Constitution
Ratification
C. Federalists and Republicans
Washington and Congress
Partisan Politics
Jefferson in Office
The War of 1812
D. Growth and Division\
American Nationalism
Early Industry
The Land of Cotton
Growing Sectionalism
E. The Spirit of Reform
Jacksonian America
A Changing Society
Reforming Society
The Abolitionist Movement
F. Manifest Destiny
The Western Pioneers
Independence for Texas
The War with Mexico
G. Sectional Conflict Intensifies
Slavery and Western Expansion
Mounting Violence
The Crisis Deepens
Growing Sectionalism
H. The Civil War
The Opposing Sides
The Early Stages
Life During the War
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I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
The Turning Point
The War Ends
Reconstruction
Reconstruction Plans
Congressional Reconstruction
Republican Rule
Reconstruction Collapses
Settling the West
Miners and Ranchers
Farming the Plains
Native Americans
Industrialization
The Rise of Industry
The Railroads
Big Business
Unions
Urban America
Immigration
Urbanization
The Gilded Age
Unions
Politics and Reform
Stalemate in Washington
Populism
The Rise of Segregation
Becoming a World Power
The Imperialist Vision
The Spanish-American War
New American Diplomacy
The Progressive Movement
The Roots of Progressivism
Roosevelt in Office
The Taft Administration
The Wilson Years
World War I
The United States Enters World War I
The Home Front
A Bloody Conflict
III. Methodology
A. PowerPoint-enhanced lectures and presentation
B. Independent reading and study
C. Assigned homework and reading assignments
D. Collaborative group projects
E. Audio-visual and other multimedia materials
F. Critical and analytical papers (including DBQs) and presentations
G. Classroom discussions, debates, and speeches
H. Primary source document analysis and discussions
I. Current event discussions
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IV. Instructional Objectives
A. To study and analyze the characteristics of life in the English-American colonies, and the events that
led to the ‘ground-breaking’ American Revolution
B. To study and analyze the great issues of 18th and 19th Century American history
C. To develop an understanding of/appreciation for the values and heritage of the ‘institutions’ created
during the early stages of the American Republic, and their impact on the nation today
D. To develop an understanding of nationalism and the evolution of ‘mass democracy’
E. To develop an understanding of the ‘sectional struggles’ our nation faced, and how these struggles led
to the Civil War
F. To develop an understanding of the concept of ‘multiple causation’/‘multiple points of view’ with
regard to events
G. To develop an understanding of the process of democracy, and how it has evolved from the inception
of the nation, and continues to evolve in the present
H. To make connections between past events and contemporary situations in terms of ideas and
attitudes.
V. Academic Expectations/Required Proficiencies
A. Students will complete all assigned readings from the text or supplementary materials
B. Students will participate in discussions, debates, speech-assignments, and collaborative group
projects
C. Students will complete critical analysis papers, DBQ essays, and other writing assignments
D. Students will successfully complete, and achieve passing grades, on all quizzes, tests, the Midterm
Exam, and Final Exam
E. Students will complete at least one major essay each marking period
VI. Texts and Other Course Materials
A. The American Vision, Glencoe 2004
B. The DBQ Project – American History DBQs
C. Newspaper articles, periodicals, journals, current event articles
D. Audio-visual supplemental materials and other multimedia materials
E. Various websites (supplemental resources)
Revised 8/13
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