US+History+Syllabus

COURSE SYLLABUS Advanced Placement United States History


 * Course Description:** This course prepares the student for the Advanced Placement test in United States History. The course surveys American history from discovery to modern times and emphasizes factual knowledge, document analysis, and the writing of critical and interpretive essays based on themes in US history as outlined in the AP Course description.

 In addition to the topics and objectives listed below, the following themes and questions will help to guide you in your overall study of US History. Be prepared to answer the questions as a part of class discussion, essay assignments, and final exam. I will add to these questions as the year progresses.
 * Course Topics and Objectives:**

**American Diversity and Identity** What is American Identity? How do ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious diversity affect the national identity? How does this identity and diversity find expression through the arts? **Demographic Changes** What effect did immigration and expansion have on economic, social, and political development of the US? How did population size and density affect regionalism and nationalism? **Politics and Citizenship** Evaluate an individual's rights, responsibilities, and duties to the government. Analyze and evaluate Supreme Court decisions that have affected principles and ideals of government in civic life. Explain how government works**.** A.Describe the structure, organization and operation of government at the national, state and local levels. B.Explain the responsibilities and powers of the respective governments. C.Explain how a bill becomes a law. D.Explain the roles of the political parties in shaping government elections. E.Be able to evaluate political leadership in terms of goals and promises. **Economics** Analyze and interpret changes in the US economy from 1890 - present. A. Analyze the flow of products, resources, and money in a mixed economy. B. Evaluate the operation of noncompetitive markets. C. Analyze how the Federal Reserve influences interest rates and the economy. D. Evaluate changes in economic institutions over time. 1. Predict how changes affect the economy. 2. Identify and analyze forces that affect the economy. **Reform** What do movements such as abolitionism, temperance, women’s suffrage, environmentalism, and civil rights say about the American character? What is an American’s responsibility to these issues? **Globalization** Trace the development of American isolationism to global participant. **War and Diplomacy** Explain the impact of war on American society, politics, economy, and technology.

Topics  A. Explain Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction. B. Describe the events leading from Lincoln’s assassination and Johnson’s “impeachment”. C. Explain the problems the Blacks faced as a result of their emancipation. D. Explain the major issues of Grant’s administration. E. Explain the reasons for the abandonment of reconstruction. F. Explain who the “Redeemers” were. G. Describe the impact industrialization had on the South. H. Describe how the Crop-Lien system works. I. Explain why blacks protested the Jim Crow laws.
 * 1. Reconstruction**

2. The Conquest of the Far West  A. Be able to explain how settlement of the west was accomplished. B. Explain America’s Indian policy. C. Explain how farming changed and why.

A. Describe the changes in society that occurred that moved people into the city. B. Describe what life was like in the city. C. Explain the differences between pre-industrial and industrial society in terms of working and living conditions C. Explain what Capitalism means and what its critics had to say. D. Be able to explain how and why labor unions began. A. Be able to explain why the party system changed. B. Describe who the Grangers were and what they represented. C. Describe who the Populists were and what they represented. D. Explain the causes and effects of the Panic of 1893.
 * 3. Industrialization and the City **

A. Describe how Manifest Destiny became policy again. B. Be able to explain how the doctrine enabled the acquisition of Hawaii and Samoa. C. Explain how this decision caused a controversy over Cuba. D. Describe how the US governed its colonies. E. Explain the “Open Door” policy.
 * 4. Imperialism **

A. Explain what Progressivism means. B. Explain what caused the people of the United States to attack political parties. C. Explain what caused the Temperance movement to gain strength. D. Explain what caused the Eighteenth amendment to become law. E.Explain what caused the Nineteenth amendment to become ratified. F.Explain the effects Progressivism had on the society of the time and its repercussions. G. Explain how Roosevelt became president. H. Describe Roosevelt’s policies concerning government and labor. I. Explain the causes of the Panic of 1907. J. Describe the problems with the Taft administration. K. Explain what caused Roosevelt to return to run the Republican Party. L. Explain what led to the election of Wilson. M. Be able to explain Wilson’s policies. N.Be able to explain the origins of the term "Lost Generation". O.Explain what impact the Harlem Renaissance had on society.
 * 5. Progressivism and The Battle for National Reform **

6. World War I  A. Describe America’s policies during W.W.I.  B. Explain what led to America’s involvement in the war. C. Explain Wilson’s fourteen points. D. Identify the major battles and campaigns. E. Explain what the Peace Settlement meant for America as well as Europe. F. Describe Wilson’s policies after the war.

7. The New Era  A. Be able to explain the new economic policies. B. Explain how the plight of the mid-western farmer was solved. C. Describe what consumerism stood for and its impact on the American mindset. D. Explain what American’s new problems were; i.e. prohibition and the Klan. E. Identify the major points of the Harding administration. F. Identify the major points of the Coolidge administration.

A. Explain the causes of the crash. B. Describe how people dealt with the depression. C. Explain how the government dealt with the depression. D. Explain how depression influenced culture. E. Describe the Hoover Program - how and why it failed. F. Identify the basic tenets of the New Deal. G. Describe the limits of the New Deal. H. Explain the effects the New Deal had on the economy.
 * 8. The Great Depression and the New Deal **

A. Be able to explain America’s diplomatic policies. B. Describe the causes of the war. C. Describe the effects of the War on American economy and society especially on women's roles and ethnic relations. D. Describe the effects of the War on the other nations of the world. E.Explain the results of the war and the costs of peace. F. Analyze the impact involvement in world affairs had on the government of the United States.
 * 9. World War II **

 A. Explain what is meant by “Cold War Mentality”. A. Describe the post-war events that led to the Cold War. C. What was the Marshall Plan? B. Explain how NATO was formed. C. Describe the causes and effects of the Korean War. D.Explain what caused the crusades against subversion (McCarthyism). E.Analyze the impact of international economic, technological, and cultural developments on the government of the United States. F.Compare the function and purpose of international organizations such as NATO, the Red Cross, SEATO. 
 * 10. The Cold War **

A. Explain what caused economic growth. B. Describe the changes in economic policies. C. Describe the origins of the Civil Rights Movement. D. Be able to explain America’s foreign policy. E. Describe the effects of the Counter-Revolution. F. Describe the effects of the Vietnam War. G. Describe Nixon’s economic policy. G.Explain the effects of the Watergate scandal. H.Be able to explain the changes technological innovations brought to society's structure. I.Identify and interpret the causes of conflict in society; determine which conflict-resolution techniques were successful. J.Evaluate anti-war protests during the Vietnam era and analyze and interpret the role the US flag played in these protests.
 * 11. The Affluent Society, the Ordeal of Liberalism, and the Crisis of Authority **

A. Describe the major issues which led to the election of 1980. B. Identify the basic tenets of “Reganomics”. C. Explain the results of the election of 1988. D.Describe the problems society faced in the 1980’s and 1990’s (instability, decline of the cities, labor relations). E.Explain the election of 2000 and its effects. F.Be able to explain the problems the US faces in the 21st century (environmental, political).
 * 12. The “Age of Limits” **


 * Textbook(s):** Brinkley, Alan. //The Unfinished Nation// 3rd Ed. Boston, Mass. McGraw Hill, 2000.

Handouts, worksheets, video/dvd as provided Janson, H.W. //History of Art//. Prentice-Hall, Englewood cliffs, NJ. 1974 Scott, Marvin. //World History Map Activities//. J. Weston Walch, Portland Maine. 1997. Chertok, Bobbi, Hirshfeld, Goody, Rosh Marilyn. //Teaching American History with Art Masterpieces.// Living Art Seminars, Scholastic, NY. 1998.
 * Resources**
 * Evaluation:**

Assignments must be turned in on time. If you are late, I will deduct 5 points for every day your assignment is late.
 * Keys for success in the course:** Read the text //before// you come to class. This will eliminate the need to take detailed notes and will enable you to recognize information in the lecture that is not covered in the book. You are responsible for all information; this includes lecture, text, videos, and all handouts given in class.

A = 93 to 100 points B = 83 to 92 points C = 73 to 82 points D = 70 to 72 points F = 69 points and below
 * Grading:**

Tests, essays, and DBQs - 100 points each Four Primary Document analyses - 300 points each Homework - value to be determined Worksheet/Maps - value to be determined Classroom projects – value to be determined Discussion/Participation - 20 points Summer Assignment – 200 points

This is subject to change. We may move faster or slower than the dates provided here. Do not hold me to the dates listed herein as they do not reflect snow days, field trips, or other activities that may delay the coverage of the material.
 * Syllabus Calendar:**


 * Assignment**

Weeks 1 & 2
//Review of Summer Assignment and General review of US History I//

//Weeks 3 - 5// //Reconstruction and the Conquest of the Far West// Brinkley: Chapters 15 &16
 * Test – Chapters 15 & 16**

//Weeks 6 & 7// //Industrialization and the City// Brinkley: Chapters 17, 18, & 19 Assignment 8 – DBQ: Organized Labor Discussion Economic change and Demographic change 
 * Test – Chapters 17 & 18**

//Week 8 -11// //Imperialism// Brinkley: Chapter 20 //McKinley’s War Message// //The Open Door in China: Hay’s Circular Letter// //The Platt Amendment// //The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine// Assignment 9 - DBQ: US Expansionism Map Study; Colonial Possessions of World Powers
 * Test – Chapter 20**

//Weeks 12 - 15// //Progressivism and the Battle for National Reform// Brinkley: Chapters 21 & 22 //The Sherman Antitrust Act// Assignment 10 - DBQ: The Nativist Response to Immigration Discussion Reform Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper print //Welcome to New York City//
 * Test – Chapters 21 & 22**

//Weeks 16 - 20// //World War I and the New Era// Brinkley: Chapters 23 & 24 //The Fourteen Points// Assignment 11 - DBQ: US neutrality in World War I Discussion American identity Jazz Art Deco: decorative arts and architecture
 * Test – Chapters 23 & 24**

//Weeks 21 - 24// //The Great Depression and the New Deal// Brinkley: Chapters 25 & 26 //Franklin D. Roosevelt’s War Message against Japan//
 * Test – Chapters 25 & 26**

//Weeks 25 & 26// //World War II// Brinkley: Chapter 27 Discussion War and Diplomacy
 * Test – Chapter 27**

//Week 27// //The Cold War// Brinkley: Chapter 28 //The Truman Doctrine// //The Marshall Plan// //The North Atlantic Treaty// Assignment 12 - DBQ: Cold War fears Map Study: //The Cold War//
 * Test – Chapter 28**

//Weeks 28, 29, & 30// //The Affluent Society, the Ordeal of Liberalism, and the Crisis of Authority// Brinkley: Chapters 29, 30, & 31 //Brown v. Board of education of Topeka// //Proclamation of a Quarantine of Offensive Weapons to Cuba// Assignment 13 - DBQ: Civil Rights Movement Discussion Demographic change and Politics and Citizenship
 * Test – Chapters 29, 30, & 31**

//Weeks 31 & 32// //The Age of Limits and Modern Times// Brinkley: Chapters 32 & 33 Discussion – Globalization Primary Source Review
 * Test – Chapters 32 & 33**

//Weeks 33 until the AP test// //Review, Review, Review//
 * Final Exam**

//After the Test// //Activities// Debates Trials Discussion Movies