Grade Level: 8

U.S. History: Expansion Yields Conflict

Concepts
Conflict and Nationalism

Enduring Understandings
Need for economic resources can drive a nation toward imperialism.
Industrialization and technological advances can lead a country to seek new markets and natural resources.
Powerful nations can shape and control the social, political, and economic policies of weaker nations.
Inflated nationalistic attitude can drive a country to impose its beliefs and culture on other nations.
Perceived threats can cause a nation to build its military and lead to an arms race.
Labor shortage can result in an economic opportunity for oppressed people.
A treaty can be skewed by feelings of hatred and retaliation.
During wartime, civil liberties can be restricted.
Governments sometimes use propaganda to shape public opinion and further its cause.

Skills
1.  Differentiate propaganda from truth.
2.  Create notes, graphic organizers and other tools to answer historical questions.
3.  Explain the 14 points and the function of the League of Nations.
4.  Explain the pros and cons of Trench warfare.
5.  Formulate historical questions based on multiple perspectives and sources.

U.S. History: Years of Protest and Change

Concepts
 

Enduring Understandings
Righting social inequities calls for strong leadership.
Enhanced technology creates global awareness of issues and can inspire change.
Well-orchestrated demonstrations aimed at businesses or government can paralyze a nation's economy and force change.
Citizens in participatory democracy have an obligation to act when they see an injustice to improve society.
Education can break down stereotypes and prejudices.
Citizens have the responsibility to question government policies and the veracity of government communications.
Throughout time, creative people have often used artificial substances with the belief that they would enhance levels of creativity. Ironically, this practice has frequently resulted in tragedy.
The synergy of social, economic, and political forces leads to societal change.
Deeply held religious, political or social ideologies can either mobilize or hinder the process of social change.

Skills
1. 

U.S. History: America in a Changing Time--Industrialization and Reform

Concepts
Change and Continuity
Conflict and Cooperation

Enduring Understandings
Economic conditions can create population shifts.
Economic growth requires resources, technology, transportation and labor.
For economic growth, a country's labor pool must match its needs.
Level of government intervention in economy can stifle or stimulate economic growth.
The desire for freedom may cause the movement of people.
Merging cultures clash, mold or adapt.
As a result of oppression, people may unite around shared ideas for change or preservation.
A literate society can more easily create solutions to economic and social problems.

Skills
1.  Analyze maps to show how geography impacts industrialization.
2.  Develop an understanding of push/pull factors of immigration (reasons for leaving their homeland and coming to the United States.)
3.  Explain the role of muckrakers and progressives.
4.  Explain/analyze the positive and negative effects of the Captains of Industry.
5.  Analyze the relationship between union and management and the need to compromise.

U.S. History: World War II and Origins of the Cold War

Concepts
 

Enduring Understandings
The fairness of a treaty can be skewed by feelings of hatred and retaliation.
Giving in to an aggressor may serve to embolden him.
Difficult economic times call for strong leadership in order to solve their problems.
Fear generated by ignorance can lead to prejudice and discrimination.
Fear can create common enemies and people can form alliances among seemingly contradictory ideologies.
People need to act when they see a policy of human rights violations in order to save lives.
In desperate social and economic times, people are more receptive to totalitarians.
Multinational forces require skilled orchestration in order to achieve the military objective.
The need for economic resources can drive a nation toward imperialism.

Skills
1.