United States History I
What's Going On In History Class!
Welcome to 7th Grade American History Class. I am very excited to start a new year and look forward to working with 7th graders to gain a better understanding of who we are as a people. We will begin the year with a brief timeline of US History and then move towards studying different themes in American History.
Course Overview
Welcome to United States History. In 7th grade United States History, students will be looking at themes in American history. We will begin the year doing an overview of American history. After getting a broad overview, the class will cover several recurrent themes in American history. In eighth grade, students will continue their study of American history by exploring additional themes in American history.
Unit 1- Timeline
Before beginning our thematic study of American history, students will have a brief overview of our country's five hundred years of history. This brief overview will give students the basic foundation needed for the course. Most of the events will be examined more closely in subsequent themes in both seventh and eighth grade.
Before beginning our thematic study of American history, students will have a brief overview of our country's five hundred years of history. This brief overview will give students the basic foundation needed for the course. Most of the events will be examined more closely in subsequent themes in both seventh and eighth grade.
Students creating online timelines using Sutori.
Unit 2- The American Experience: Creating a Country
Colonists brought with them to America ideas about government. These ideas were transformed during the American Revolution and the period immediately following. We will look at the ideals that went into the creation of country and how they helped influence the writing of the Constitution. We will also look at some challenges the country has faced in our with regards to the checks and balances and embedded in the Constitution. We will also look at the Bill of Rights and examine some examples of when government actions have been seen as violating these rights.
Colonists brought with them to America ideas about government. These ideas were transformed during the American Revolution and the period immediately following. We will look at the ideals that went into the creation of country and how they helped influence the writing of the Constitution. We will also look at some challenges the country has faced in our with regards to the checks and balances and embedded in the Constitution. We will also look at the Bill of Rights and examine some examples of when government actions have been seen as violating these rights.
Unit 3- Federalism: How Federal and State Governments Interact
The balance of power between state and federal government is an important feature of our country's political system. Over the years there have been many challenges to this relationship. We will look at the root of a states rights movement in the late 18th century with the passage of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. As the Civil War approach, the relationship between state and federal governments again come to the forefront during the Nullification Crisis and the decade leading up to the Civil War. In the 20th century, we will study the role federalism played in the Civil Rights movement.
The balance of power between state and federal government is an important feature of our country's political system. Over the years there have been many challenges to this relationship. We will look at the root of a states rights movement in the late 18th century with the passage of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. As the Civil War approach, the relationship between state and federal governments again come to the forefront during the Nullification Crisis and the decade leading up to the Civil War. In the 20th century, we will study the role federalism played in the Civil Rights movement.
Unit 4- Exploration and Conquest
Throughout much of our nation's history, we have been a country that has consistently spread westward. Unit four will focus on the exploration and expansion of the United States. We will examine the motivations of early European explorers. and the different stages of American expansion across the continent throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. During the 20th and 21st century, we will look at our country's space program and recent global competition for control of the arctic region.
Throughout much of our nation's history, we have been a country that has consistently spread westward. Unit four will focus on the exploration and expansion of the United States. We will examine the motivations of early European explorers. and the different stages of American expansion across the continent throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. During the 20th and 21st century, we will look at our country's space program and recent global competition for control of the arctic region.
Unit 6- Encounters with the Native Americans: Spreading Across the Continent
After discussing the expansion of the United States, we will investigate how American relationships with the Native American groups evolved over time. We will start looking at early colonial relationships with tribes such as the Powhatan and Pequots. During the 18th century, we will examine how Native Americans reacted to the French and British conflicts of empire over regions of North America. Problems with expansion continued in the early 1800s with the decision to force Native Americans to resettle west of the Mississippi River. Eventually, Naive Americans were forced to settle upon reservations in the late 180s. In the 20th century, we will look at Native Americans contributions to the United States including the Navajo code talkers and current challenges facing reservations across the country.
After discussing the expansion of the United States, we will investigate how American relationships with the Native American groups evolved over time. We will start looking at early colonial relationships with tribes such as the Powhatan and Pequots. During the 18th century, we will examine how Native Americans reacted to the French and British conflicts of empire over regions of North America. Problems with expansion continued in the early 1800s with the decision to force Native Americans to resettle west of the Mississippi River. Eventually, Naive Americans were forced to settle upon reservations in the late 180s. In the 20th century, we will look at Native Americans contributions to the United States including the Navajo code talkers and current challenges facing reservations across the country.
Unit 7- Religion and Society
Unit seven we will will focus on the role religion played in the development of America. Many of our earliest settler came here so they could practice their religion freely. After discussing religion's role in the founding of the colonies, we will examine the First and Second Great Awakenings and how religion in American changed as a result of these two movements. As we move into the 1800's we will talk about how anti-Catholicism played a role in nativism during the 1800's. During the late 19th an 20th centuries, we will discuss different social movements that were developed by different religious groups.
Unit seven we will will focus on the role religion played in the development of America. Many of our earliest settler came here so they could practice their religion freely. After discussing religion's role in the founding of the colonies, we will examine the First and Second Great Awakenings and how religion in American changed as a result of these two movements. As we move into the 1800's we will talk about how anti-Catholicism played a role in nativism during the 1800's. During the late 19th an 20th centuries, we will discuss different social movements that were developed by different religious groups.
Unite 8- Immigration and Migration: The Melting Pot that is America
To close out the year, we will look at immigration and migration patterns in the United States. We will also discuss the reaction by Americans to these new immigrants. In the 1700's, we will differentiate between immigration patterns in the New England, middle, and southern colonies. In the 1800's and early 1900's we will look at increased immigration from Asia and Eastern Europe and the accompanying nativist reaction in the United States. As we move into the era of the World Wars, we will look at resistance to immigration in the 1930's due to the Great Depression and programs developed in the 1940's to encourage immigration in the 1940's. To conclude this unit, we will look at immigration and refugee issues today.
To close out the year, we will look at immigration and migration patterns in the United States. We will also discuss the reaction by Americans to these new immigrants. In the 1700's, we will differentiate between immigration patterns in the New England, middle, and southern colonies. In the 1800's and early 1900's we will look at increased immigration from Asia and Eastern Europe and the accompanying nativist reaction in the United States. As we move into the era of the World Wars, we will look at resistance to immigration in the 1930's due to the Great Depression and programs developed in the 1940's to encourage immigration in the 1940's. To conclude this unit, we will look at immigration and refugee issues today.