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U.S. History 2010

                An introduction to United States History covering a period from the New World through Reconstruction.  The class covers a period beginning with Native Americans, discovery of the new world, colonization by European countries, the causes of the American Revolution, the establishing of the new government, including the writing of the Constitution, the development of political parties and their policies, causes and results of the War of 1812, the Jacksonian Period, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and ending with Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS CLASS:

                Students will be introduced to:

(1)      Pre-contact Native American culture in what is now the continental US and will understand the evolution of the peoples from hunting and gatherings to archaic efficiency and distinguish between the subsequent Woodland and Mississippian Indians

(2)      Conditions, movements and events in Europe that led to European contact with the Americas and will understand the impact of the Renaissance and the European demand for Eastern goods on the Age of Discovery

(3)      The non-English European colonization of North America, specifically Spanish, French and Dutch and their interaction with Native Americans

(4)      The original thirteen English colonies and will be able to recognize the distinguishing characteristics of the Southern, New England and Middle colonies.

(5)      The Imperial competition among the European powers that would eventually spread to North America and will understand why the French and Indian War can be regarded as the origin of the American Revolution

(6)      Causes, course and consequences of the American Revolution and will understand the complexities faced by our “Founding Fathers” as they endeavor to create a republic.

(7)      The new Federal Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and will appreciate the conflicts and compromises that made it possible, and will understand how its framers created a government that would withstand the passage of time.

(8)      Reform initiatives from temperance through the abolitionists movement and understand the critical role of the women’s movement in domestic reform.

(9)      The development and evolution of the two party political system in the US and will be able to distinguish between the leaders and policies of the Federalists, the Democratic Republicans, the National Republicans, the Democratic, Whig and the Republican Party.

(10)   The domestic and economic policies that both shaped and divided the nation and will understand such issues as the protective tariff, the national bank, internal improvements at federal expense and the preeminent role of slavery

(11)   Significant foreign policy that influenced the position of the US relative to the world and completed the continental boundaries of the country.

(12)   Relationship between the new republic and the Native Americans from the assimilation policies of the Founding Fathers to the removal policy of the Democrats

(13)   The concept of Manifest Destiny and will understand the role played by President James K. Polk and the expansionists and how they ironically both added to and divided the country

(14)   The compromises that temporarily preserved the Union and the overwhelming events that finally led to the Civil War.

(15)   The course of the Civil War and the decisive factors, strategies, battles and personalities that influenced the outcome

(16)   Reconstruction and Radical Republicanism and their impact on post war politics, the South and the Freedmen.

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