Partners in History: Danbury TAH Grant

Unit 1: Colonization and Settlement

Examine how early European Explorers and colonization resulted in cultural and ecological interactions among previously unconnected peoples.

Initial Understanding
Locate and identify the regional tribes of North America.
Describe the social composition of the early settlers and their various motives for exploration and colonization
Developing an Interpretation
Trace the routes taken by early explorers from the 15th-17th century
Explain the common elements of Native American societies such as religion, use of environment, gender roles, family, values, etc.
Examine settlements in Colonial America –New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies-
Examine way of life, homes, and land acquisition
Making Connections
Compare the Native American cultures with the European culture and describe how the mixing of cultures led to conflict
Examine how political, religious, and social institutions developed in the new colonies
Critical Stance
Evaluate the results of the French and Indian War and how the results of that war changed the map of North America
Examine the plight of the North American Native American and defend or refute the statement that “conflicts were inevitable”

Unit 2: Revolution and the New Nation

Examine the causes of the American Revolution and the reasons for the American victory

Initial Understanding
Recount the Patriots and Loyalists positions on independence
Examine the importance and language of the Declaration of Independence
Identify key leaders and their contributions to the American cause
Using a map, trace and describe the major battles of the Revolutionary War
Developing an Interpretation
Use technology to create a timeline showing a chronology of the critical events leading to the outbreak of the Revolution
Analyze the contribution of political philosophies on the Declaration of Independence
Making Connections
Support America’s relationship with France, Holland and Spain during the revolution and the contribution of each to the American victory
Explain how key principals in the Declaration of Independence unified ideas of American democracy
Critical Stance
Appraise George Washington’s military and political leadership in conducting the Revolutionary War
Assess the impact of the American Revolution on politics, economy, and society
Defend or refute that the colonists struggle with England was inevitable
Debate the issue of independence from the view point of Patriots and Loyalists

Examine the issues involved in the creation and ratification of the United States constitution and the government it established.

Initial Understanding
List key figures and their contributions to the United States Constitution
Describe key features of the constitution and the Bill of Rights
Developing an Interpretation
Describe the process of how a bill becomes a law
Explain the system of checks and balances
Making Connections
Trace the evolution of the Supreme Court’s powers between 1792-1820
Explain how the original Constitution excluded large groups of people that inhabited the North American continent
Critical Stance
Debate the role of government from the perspective of federalists and anti-federalists
Explain and defend the Bill of Rights.
Debate the decisions of the Supreme Court regarding abolitionists

Unit 3: Expansion and Reform

Explain the economic, political, racial, social, and religious roots of the United States territory expansion and its implications throughout the world

Initial Understanding
Locate and identify the land purchases of the U.S. during the period of expansion
Explain President Madison’s reasons for declaring war on Great Britain in 1812
Recall the major events of the Mexican/American War
Identify the origins of the Monroe Doctrine
Developing an Interpretation
Examine the significance of the port of New Orleans to western farmers, and how the acquisition led to the entire Louisiana Purchase
Explain the roots of Manifest Destiny
Explain how the Northwest ordinance of 1787 was used as a model for future expansion in the U.S.
Explain why the election of Andrew Jackson was considered a victory for the “common man”
Making Connections
Analyze federal and state Indian Policies
Explain how the Monroe Doctrine influenced hemispheric relations
Analyze how the ideology of Manifest Destiny influenced westward expansion
Investigate the impact of removal and settlement on various tribes
Describe the origins of Jacksonian democracy and its effect on U.S. government
Critical Stance
Assess the causes of the rapid settlement of California and Oregon
Evaluate the historical contributions of Lewis and Clark by tracing their journey, findings, and accomplishments
Judge how Americans strived to reform society and reorganize political democracy to create a distinct culture and government
Assess the changes to the Missouri/Mississippi River delta systems and how these changes impacted vegetation, animal life, and land formations

Unit 4: Civil War and Reconstruction

Analyze the causes, key events, and complex consequences of the Civil War.

Initial Understanding
Identify the economic, social, and cultural differences between the North and South
Explain the role and economic significance of slavery
Define sectionalism and explain the abolitionist movement
Identify key figures and their contributions to their sectional point of view that led up to the Civil War
Developing an Interpretation
Explain how events after the Compromise of 1820, and the Dred Scott decision contributed to sectional polarization
Explain the causes of the Civil War
Chart the secession of the Southern states and explain the process and reasons for the secession
Making Connections
Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the North and the South
Create a map that depicts the major battle sites of the Civil War
Describe innovations in military technology and explain their impact on humans, property, and man’s ability to wage war.
Critical Stance
Evaluate the importance of slavery as a significant cause of the Civil War
Analyze purpose, meaning, and significance of the Gettysberg Address
Evaluate the Lincoln Presidency and its impact on civil rights
Examine how the war affected combatants, civilians, the physical environment, and future warfare

Analyze the character and lasting consequences of Reconstruction

Initial Understanding
List the original goals of reconstruction
Explain the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments
List ways and means used to exclude Americans from the benefits of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments
Developing an Interpretation
Examine the effect reconstruction had on the political and social structures of different regions
Analyze the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments and their connection to reconstruction
 Analyze the impact Lincoln’s assassination had on Reconstruction
Making Connections
Defend the effectiveness of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments
Critical Stance
Justify why the election of 1876 led to the end of the period of reconstruction
Defend or refute the effectiveness of Reconstruction and its impact on all American people

Unit 5: The Industrial United States

Analyze the transformation of The American economy and the changing social and political conditions in the United States in response to the Industrial Revolution
Initial Understanding
Identify the contributions of inventors
Recognize the role of inventions in fueling the Industrial Revolution
Map the patterns of industrial development
Developing an Interpretation
Explain the contributions and impacts of unions, immigration and the growth of cities.
Determine southern legislation after reconstruction that limited the effectiveness of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments
Explain the changing work force in regards to age, gender, and reasons for employment
Making Connections
Trace the changing demand of labor and leisure
Analyze the impact of the growth of railroads on Native American cultures and on the Industrial Revolution
Interpret the growing trend of immigration and how it fueled the Industrial Revolution
Critical Stance
Evaluate the effects of “big business” on consumers
Evaluate the changing role of women during the Industrial Revolution
Analyze the continuing role of education and how it contributed to the Industrial Revolution and future generations of American society