American History I
Course Description:
American History I is a required course at the 9 grade level. It is used to promote an understanding
of America’s growth and its place among world nations during the 20 century. Major topics to be
studied will include the review of American History from the Civil War to World War II. Students will
be given a topical guide of the Spanish-American War, Panama Canal, Progressive Era, World Wars
I & II, and the Fabulous 20s, 30s, and 40s.
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Big Ideas:
 Cause and effect of 20th century wars
 Cause of the Great Depression and the expanding role of government as a result of the New
Deal
 How immigration and industrialization shape American society and culture
Essential Questions:
 How does 20th century American history affect me?
 What can we learn from past cause and effect to make our futures better?
Essential Learner Objectives:
1. Students will be able to identify and explain the cause and effect of US 20 century wars
 World War I
o List and identify causes of WWI (M.A.I.N.)
o Explain the significance of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
o Explain the cause and effect of the Lusitania and Zimmerman Note and how they
prompted the US to enter WWI
o Analyze the Treaty of Versailles and how it lead to the start of WWII
 World War II
o Analyze how post WWI conditions in Germany led to the rise of the Nazi political
party and the Holocaust
o Explain the importance of Pearl Harbor
o Evaluate the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
o Analyze the European destruction of WWII and how the US emerged as a
superpower
 Compare and contrast different governmental systems
o Define democracy and identify key characteristics
o Define totalitarianism and identify key characteristics of different forms
 Communism, National Socialism
o Students will make interpretations of the effects of totalitarianism on populations
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2.
Students will be able to predict and analyze how Industrial Revolution changed the outlook of
the American citizens
 Analyze cause and effect of increased immigration (1870-1920)
o The impact of an increased urban population
o Identify urban problems and how they led to the rise of the Progressive Party
 Evaluate the efficiency and higher production of the factories
o More goods equals lower prices
 Explain how new inventions and innovations led to more production in the workplace
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Military strength (new territories for military bases)
Search for new markets (new territories for raw materials and trade)
Cultural superiority (new territories to spread American ideals and beliefs) and
consequences
3.
Students will be able to explain the relationship between Native Americans and the US
government
 Define the concept of “manifest destiny”
 Identify reasons for westward migration and its Homestead Act, railroads, and
destruction of the buffalo
 Identify the purpose of Native American boarding schools and their effect
 Define assimilation and government policies that influenced Native
American culture
 Identify key reasons for the conflict during the Sioux War and their consequences
4.
Students will be able to analyze the cause and effect of the Great Depression and how it
shaped the future of the United States
 List the causes and lasting effects of the Great Depression
 Identify the Dust Bowl region and the social and economic impact of the dust storms
 Evaluate key pieces of New Deal legislation and form an opinion on the effectiveness of
the New Deal
 Explain how the New Deal led to an increased role of the federal government