[SS] Social Studies 8 Semester B (2 of 2): Extended Campus (SM)

Video Transcript: Early American History B Course Introduction 

Welcome to Early American History B! This course will take you on a journey from early Spanish missions in western North America up to the end of the 19th century in the United States.

You will begin by exploring Spanish mission societies and their interactions with American Indians. Next, you will examine reasons for western exploration and settlement in North America. From there, you will explore the development of the Mexican colonies and the causes behind the Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War. You will also analyze the California gold rush and immigration to the West Coast.

The course will then explore the continuing conflict over slavery. You will examine the northern and southern economies and their need for each other. The abolition movement and the Compromise of 1850 will further explain the division between the North and South. A primary source review of the John C. Calhoun/Daniel Webster debate will assist you in understanding how complex the slavery issue was at the time. Later, you will read about the Fugitive Slave Act, the Underground Railroad, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin

The Civil War era and the Reconstruction period brought changes to the United States. The advancements in technology, battle strategies, new amendments, and state actions altered the country for decades to come. The course will explore these subjects. As well, the Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg Address primary sources will help you understand the choices made at the time and the bigger picture of segregation after the war.

Next, you will return to the expanding western United States and explore rapid changes related to mining, cattle, and female pioneers. The impact on American Indians will also be discussed as the government battles the Plains Indians with treaties and rifles.

Lastly, you will explore the major economic and social changes of the late 19th century. The Second Industrial Revolution, the labor movement, and women’s suffrage spurred great changes. The Gilded Age inspired major social reform movements that transformed America.

The projects that span the course are designed to develop and sharpen your writing skills. As you move through the first half of the course, you will complete research that will help you create a presentation that examines the important people, events, and locations that contributed to the Civil War. This and other research will assist you in producing a change over time essay in the second half of the class.

Throughout the course, you will examine and analyze readings, biographies, videos, and other materials that paint a picture of historical topics. Discussions with peers will help you to think creatively and critically about topics. 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

What are learning objectives? They are the skills, knowledge, and attitudes you will gain from your schoolwork. Upon completing this course, you will be able to

  • Explain the causes of conflict between the Mexicans and American settlers by examining the Texas Revolution.
  • Trace how the United States expanded through the Mexican-American War and explain the idea of Manifest Destiny by describing the causes, events, and impact of the war.
  • Identify the economic and cultural differences between the North and South by evaluating how goods were produced in each region.
  • Discuss the impact of slavery on the United States by analyzing pivotal events, including the Dred Scott decision, Lincoln’s A House Divided speech, and the Lincoln/Douglas debates.
  • Analyze the beginnings of the Civil War by evaluating the resources and people of the North and South. 
  • Analyze connections among events that caused the Civil War by conducting a research project.
  • Understand and distinguish between cause, effect, sequence, and correlation in historical events by examining the parts of a five-paragraph essay.
  • Discuss the impact of Reconstruction on the South by identifying Andrew Johnson’s belief system.
  • Analyze the treatment of American Indians in America by examining a timeline of events.
  • Analyze the transformation of the American economy and the changing social and political conditions in the United States by examining the causes and effects of the Second Industrial Revolution.

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