U.S.+History+-+Beginnings+to+1914+Unit+Overview

=U.S. History: Beginnings to 1914 -- Unit Summaries=


 * Unit 1 – Our Colonial Heritage: Beginnings to 1783**

North and South America were populated by Native American societies before Europeans arrived and began to colonize them. During the colonial period, Europeans came to the Americas to make new homes and gain wealth. Many people did so using slave labor from Africa.As England’s colonies in North America became more successful, they began to have conflicts with neighboring colonies, Native American people, and the British government. In this unit, students will learn about the world before and after Columbus, and how the American colonies gained their independence.


 * Unit 2 – A New Nation (1777 – 1799)**

After the Revolutionary War, much needed to be done in the new United States. The ideas of the Revolution had to be preserved in the country's new government.During the first years of the United States, political leaders met and discussed the form that the government should take. Often, people disagreed about how the new nation should be organized. Debates still take place about the framework of the U.S. government, which is written in the Constitution. In this unit students will learn about the creation of the Constitution and how that document affects the U.S. and its citizens today.


 * Unit 3 – The New Republic (1800 – 1860)**

By the time the country had experienced two presidential terms, people had begun to think of themselves as Americans. A new sense of pride and unity influenced all areas of American society, from politics to art, from economics to religion. Settlers began moving deeper into the continent and the Untied States began to grow. In this unit, students will learn about the first expansion of the young nation.


 * Unit 4 – The Nation Expands (1790 – 1860)**

The United States continued to grow in size and wealth, experiencing revolution of technology and business, as did other parts of the world. During the earliest phases of expansion, regions of the United States developed differently from each other. Citizens differed in their ideas of progress, government, and religion. For the success of the nation, they tried to compromise on their disagreements. In this unit, students will learn about two regions in the United States, and how they were alike and different.


 * Unit 5 – The Nation Breaks Apart (1861 – 1877)**

When compromise after compromise failed, the United States was divided by war. The American Civil War tested the strength of the bond between the states. During the Civil War, Americans fought each other on battlefields and in government. Ideas about slavery and sovereignty led many soldiers to fight. Eventually the nation was reunited, but deep scars remained. In this unit, students will learn about the war and the period after when rebuilding the South became a priority.


 * Unit 6 – Growing America (1850 – 1914)**

After the American Civil War, the United States began a process of building a new economy and political structure. Events in the rest of the world began affecting the nation more noticeably. During this period of expansion, the U.S. population spread across the continent. New immigrants and new technology began to change life in many parts of the country, especially in cities. In this unit, students will learn about changes in the United States that helped the country increase its size, wealth, and power.


 * Unit 7 – The Beginning of Modern America**

As cities in the United States became more prosperous, people began to examine the inequalities in American society. A progressive spirit emerged that led to changes in American culture. The United States also began to expand its influence overseas.Presidents were called upon to deal with many domestic and foreign challenges, including two wars that changed the landscape of international politics. During the Spanish-American War, the United States acquired overseas territories. During World War I, Americans fought in Europe for the first time.

References

Holt Social Studies United States History. 23 July 2007 <[|http://my.hrw.com/tabnav/controller.jsp?isbn=0030431638>.]