US History Assignments
- Instructor
- Mr. Paul Lopez
- Term
- 2019-2020
- Department
- History/Social Science
- Description
-
Course Description: Students will study the major turning points in American history in the twentieth century. Following a review of the nation’s beginnings and the impact of the Enlightenment on U.S. democratic ideals, students build upon the tenth grade study of global industrialization to understand the emergence and impact of new technology and a corporate economy, including the social and cultural effects. They trace the change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major world power. An emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts as well as the continuing tension between the individual and the state.
During the course students will:
• Analyze the significant events in the founding of the nation and its attempts to realize the philosophy of government described in the Declaration of Independence.
• Analyze the relationship among the rise of industrialization, large-scale rural-to-urban migration, and massive immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• Analyze the role religion played in the founding of America, its lasting moral, social, and political impacts, and issues regarding religious liberty.
• Trace the rise of the United States to its role as a world power in the twentieth century.
• Analyze the major political, social, economic, technological, and cultural developments of the 1920s.
• Analyze the different explanations for the Great Depression and how the New Deal fundamentally changed the role of the federal government.
• Analyze America's participation in World War II.
• Analyze the economic boom and social transformation of post-World War II America.
• Analyze U.S. foreign policy since World War II and the development of federal civil rights and voting rights.
• Analyze the major social problems and domestic policy issues in contemporary American society.
Files
Upcoming Assignments
No upcoming assignments.
Past Assignments
Due:
Final Week 7: 5/25-6/1
Directions: You have 1 task this week.
Patriotism
Compelling Question: Is an act of protest patriotic?
The very foundation of American history was built upon the success of a rebellion in the Revolutionary War. A tradition of patriotism has provided a strong backbone for the nation ever since. For this inquiry, you will consider whether or not America’s democratic institutions are strengthened through occasional opposition to American leadership. From the Vietnam War era, you will have an opportunity to learn about the reasons for and against the anti-war protests and examine the ways in which America’s towns, schools and families were divided over the war. You will grapple with issues related to message versus method: Could one agree with the message of anti-war protesters while disdaining the methods of protest? Could one support President Richard Nixon’s goal to stem the spread of communism while protesting the bombing of Vietnamese and Cambodian villages? You will reflect on your own views on patriotism and evaluate whether a soldier with a rifle and a protester with a bullhorn can be equally patriotic.
Summative Performance Task: You will choose 1
Argument: Is protest patriotic? Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline or two paragraphs) that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views.
Extension: Adapt these arguments by rewriting the lyrics to a popular song to address the compelling question while also referring to specific details and evidence from the featured sources.
Due:
Week 6 US History: 5/18 - 5/25
Directions: You have 2 tasks this week:
- Read: “Presidential Profile: Ronald Reagan” and respond to:
- Why do you think he was so popular?
- How do you think Reagan is viewed today, after his death?
Cite evidence from the article to support your answers.
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Week 5 US History: 5/11 - 5/18
Directions: You have 3 tasks this week:
- Read: “Causes of the Vietnam War, 1945-1954” and write a paragraph that explains the central idea of the article. Use at least two details from the article to support your response.
Cite evidence from the article to support your answers.
- Read “Watergate: The Scandal That Brought Down President Nixon” and Identify two different groups of people that were affected by the event described in the article.
Write a paragraph for each group explaining how the group was affected by the event using details from the text.
3. Design a model for the The Desert Storm/Desert Shield/Afghanistan War Project. (See attached)Due:
Week 4 US History: 5/4 - 5/11
Directions: You have 3 tasks this week:
- Read: “Birth of the Civil Rights Movement, 1941-1954” and write about how:
Discrimination was a problem while World War II was in progress.
- Who were some of the targets of discrimination?
- What was done about this problem?
Cite evidence from the article to support your answers.
- Read “Presidential Profile: John F. Kennedy” and choose and write about:
The author includes a description of President Kennedy's life before he became president.
- Why do you think the author chose to include these particular events from Kennedy's early life?
- How did these events shape his presidency and legacy?
- Create a tri-fold brochure on the Six Principles of Nonviolence. Please refer to the handout
Due:
Week 3 US History: 4/27 - 5/4
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBjtmhMnUIo
Directions: You have three tasks this week:
Describe each cause by citing specific details from the article and explaining how it contributed to the main event.
- Since people during this time were worried about the Soviet Union starting a nuclear attack. What could they do to help protect themselves? Choose 3 actions people could take and use evidence from the source to explain why these actions could help protect.
- 3. You will choose one out of the three projects about Cold War era topics. The first one is for students who do not have the internet and the other two are for those who do.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
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Week 2 US History: 4/20 - 4/24
Directions: You have two tasks this week:
- Read “WWII Part One: Origins of the War and write and answer the questions in paragraph form:
- What was the main event described in the article?
- What were the causes of this event?
- How do you think people feel about communism today?
Describe each cause by citing specific details from the article and explaining how it contributed to the main event.
- You will create a map for a WWII battle or campaigns. There are some listed but if you would like to do one that is not listed please email me to clear your choice. Also, I have attached 4 maps for those who do not have internet access. This can be done on poster paper or regular notebook paper. You will need to take a picture of it and attach it. Those with no internet can just turn it in when you drop off.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
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Hello everyone!
I hope everyone is doing well. Here is a packet that will cover from 3/16 to 4/6. You do not need an book so you can use your online resources to complete the packet. I will be available to via email but if you need to talk to me directly I can call you or we can have a zoom meeting (https://zoom.us/). We will see you all soon.
I have attached the videos.
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https://constitutioncenter.org/learn/hall-pass/constitution-day-2010-the-judicial-branch
Before You Watch
What do we celebrate on Constitution Day? What's it got to do with your life?
What is the Constitution? What does it do?
List some Founding Fathers. Can you tell how many of them signed the Constitution?
What are the different levels of government in the United States? How do they work together?
Who's "in charge" of the United States government? Is there one final source of authority, or is it broken up in a few different places?
After You Watch
Why is it important for citizens to know what's in the Constitution? Who interprets what the Constitution says, and how?
Discuss the Enlightenment. What were some of the ideas from the Enlightenment that went into the Constitution?
What document governed the United States before the Constitution?
What were some of its faults?
What were some of the important compromises at the Constitutional Convention?
What is federalism? What are checks and balances?