High School American History Part Two: Post Civil War

American History Part Two is the second part of a two session survey of American History. You do not have to take the course in order.  We begin our study examining contact between North America, Europe, and Africa.  Reviewing the explorers and their impact on Indigenous tribes.  As a class we will then continue to examine the situations, events and personalities that led to the construction of complex societies and cultures.  Part One will end with the American Civil War and its long lasting impact on American Society, including the trajectory of how civil rights and civil liberties developed and are implemented today. Part Two (this section) begins with the Populist movement through the end of the Cold War, with a special look at important topics of the 90's and 2000's.  For their final, students will be writing a thesis driven research paper (6-10 pgs) on a history topic of their choice (with instructor approval).  Their paper will require that they know how to cite their sources using MLA, APA, or Chicago.  Please contact instructor if help is needed.

Format
This is a multi-media, student-centered, lecture/project based course that does offer multiple viewpoints from different cultures. I do incorporate alternative lesson plans for neurodiverse learners  Each week students are given a handout to fill out before class and a video to watch so they are prepared for class discussion. Teacher will still incorporate lectures but we will also work on various projects such as a book report and a final paper.  For each major war, we create a War Notebook.  Teacher will provide the template for students.  We will also work on Document Based Question (DBQ) practice throughout the course which will help prepare those students that would like to move on to Advanced Placement American History for college credit. This will not take the place of an AP course, just help a learner ease into one.  I also teach AP US History, Government and AP Comparative Government.  A DBQ requires synthesis of multiple first and secondary sources in an essay format and is required for a well rounded education in history. Each week students will be given an at home assignment; both handouts and a video to watch.  Students should come prepared with the assignment complete so we can jump right into lecture and projects.

Covered Topics and Sample Weekly Assignments: Each class includes handouts, a video to watch at home on the topic, and lecture/class discussion.  For each major war, we create a war notebook (we complete one on the Civil War in Part One).  We will also look at primary sources, such as journals and documents and answer reading comprehension questions.

Sample Weeks:
Week One
 This week we will examine the developing populist movement and the trouble facing US farmers.  We will also read and discuss William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech as a group then answer discussion questions.   
Homework will include, but is not limited to, watching the video lecture for next week's topic and complete guided notes before next week.  This will repeat every week.

Week Two
 Note: Some classes covered the following in Part One. If a student did not get this unit, I will provide them with course content.  I truly believe every student should have the opportunity to study this important topic.  Students who covered this unit during  will not cover it again. 
During this week we will examine the Battle of Little Big Horn, The Massacre at Wounded Knee and move forward to the 1970's to see a very different stand off at Wounded Knee by the Lakota People with very different results.  As a class we will compare the similarities and differences of all three incidents and watch Part 5 of We Shall Remain:  Wounded Knee.  Students will choose a prominent leader from the documentary We Shall Remain (PBS) to research (ex:  Russel Means, Leonard Peltier or Dennis Banks) and write a biographical essay to read to the class. 
Homework will include, but is not limited to, watching the video lecture for next week's topic and complete guided notes before next week.  This will repeat every week.

Week Three
Effects and Impact of the Industrial Revolution:  Students will discuss economic forces and how industrialization both strengthens and weakens society. As a class we will explore political ideology and economic systems such as capitalism, socialism communism, free markets, command economies and early forms such as mercantilism.
Homework will include, but is not limited to, watching the video lecture for next week's topic and complete guided notes before next week.  This will repeat every week.

Week Four
The Guilded Age/Progressive Era: As a class we will go over the history of monopolies starting with John Rockfellar and the Standard Oil Company.  We will also our conversation discussing modern day monopoly cases today and governing bodies.  Students will learn about Robber Barons, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Morgan, Boss Tweed and so much more.  Homework will include, but is not limited to, watching the video lecture for next week's topic and complete guided notes before next week.  This will repeat every week.

Week Five:  Imperialism and Progressives/Spanish American War
Week Six:  World War One
Week Seven:  World War One Continued
Week Eight:  Roaring 20's/Women's Suffrage-  This week we will also go over What is a Thesis?  Students will begin to think about what they would like to research for their final paper.  I recommend students watch "Iron Jawed Angel's" at home, but it is not required.
Week Nine:  The Great Depression and The New Deal
Week Ten:   Rise of Dictators/World War II
Week Eleven:  World War II Continued/American Homefront
Week Twelve:  The Holocaust 
Week Thirteen:  Containment/Truman Plan/Marshal Plan
Week Fourteen:  Kennedy-Media, Bay of Pigs and Presidency through Assassination
Week Fifteen:  The Civil Rights Movement:  We will spend ample time on the Civil Rights movement, looking at those who made it  possible, landmark cases, marches, arrests, philosophies, legislation and specifically the writings and actions of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, W.E.B Dubois, Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks and more.
Week Sixteen:  Cold War Overview/Berlin Wall Footage/ Vietnam, Korea, China and Russia will be examined in class with primary sources and video footage.
Week Seventeen:  Detente and the End of the Cold War  (special project the Pentagon Papers)
Week Eighteen:  90's and 2000's


Grades will be based on handout completion, project completion, participation and the occasional quiz.  Their final exam grade will be their thesis driven research paper which we will start at the midpoint.  One of our projects is a book review packet.  The book for this session is The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.  Alternative books are available.  All students will be responsible for purchasing or borrowing their book.  Audio books are fine. Students will be given a packet to fill out and turn in for completion of their book review.  All major wars are given packets for the students to fill out and keep.