United States History II
with Mr. Clegg
cleggd@lincolnps.org
US History II Syllabus
Social studies in eighth grade continues the story of the formation of the United States that you started last year. We begin the year by studying Civics that include topics such as the Constitution, the role of citizens in our republic, and recent elections. In the second quarter, we return to studying American history by analyzing the causes of the Civil War. After studying the Civil War and Reconstruction, we study the important themes including industrialization, immigration, urbanization, technology, and expansion. When we study these themes, we look at how Americans dealt with them during the 19th Century but also look at how these themes relate to us today.
| History Syllabus - Clegg 2011-2012 |
School Notes Website for Homework/Projects
Extra Help Available
I will be available before and after school on certain days of the week. Extra help is most important on days before a test or for group work on a project. Students need to sign up for a study session in advance.
(Sign ups will be for appoints mostly likely on Tuesday or Thursday depending on my schedule.)
(Sign ups will be for appoints mostly likely on Tuesday or Thursday depending on my schedule.)
Citizenship and Civics
United States Constitution
Students will learn about the duties, responsibilities and rights of being an American citizen. They will also study various forms of governments and evaluate the benefits and negatives of those governments in the world today. Students will learn about our republican form of government and the role that this government has on the lives of Americans. Students will complete various projects that help them understand the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. At the end of the course of study, students will take the citizen's test that is given to immigrants who seek to become naturalized American citizens.
Civil War
Union v. Confederacy
Toward the Civil War (Chapter 1)
Students will review and analyze the issues leading up to the Civil War. Students will write a multi-paragraph essay that analyzes the most important events that led our nation to war.
Civil War (Chapter 2)
Students will read and study the various effects the war had on the nation. Students will analyze the political, economic and social effects the Civil War had on the nation and the impact it continues to have on our nation. Students will complete a group project that allows them to go to various learning stations in the room to analyze photographs, primary sources and artifacts. Students will also participate in a simulation of Lincoln's presidency that has them learn the essence of good leadership.
Students will review and analyze the issues leading up to the Civil War. Students will write a multi-paragraph essay that analyzes the most important events that led our nation to war.
Civil War (Chapter 2)
Students will read and study the various effects the war had on the nation. Students will analyze the political, economic and social effects the Civil War had on the nation and the impact it continues to have on our nation. Students will complete a group project that allows them to go to various learning stations in the room to analyze photographs, primary sources and artifacts. Students will also participate in a simulation of Lincoln's presidency that has them learn the essence of good leadership.
Reconstruction
Reconstruction (Chapter 3)
Students will study the events and programs that happened after the Civil War. Students will analyze the two different plans for reconstructing the South and determine the best option for the nation. Students will connect how the issues after the Civil War still affect America today. Students also will analyze many photographs and political cartoons from the era that include excellent examples from Thomas Nast. In class, students will read a play on the first impeachment of a president.
Students will study the events and programs that happened after the Civil War. Students will analyze the two different plans for reconstructing the South and determine the best option for the nation. Students will connect how the issues after the Civil War still affect America today. Students also will analyze many photographs and political cartoons from the era that include excellent examples from Thomas Nast. In class, students will read a play on the first impeachment of a president.
Opening the West
Family moving to the West.
Opening the West (Chapter 4)Students will study the expansion of Americans across the North American continent. Many different groups competed for the natural resources including miners, farmers, and cowboys. Native American tribes resisted the American expansion but their efforts failed and most of the tribes were forced into a reservation system. Students will take part in a lobbyist hearing in Congress to advocate why the group they represent should get the land.
The Industrial Age
Henry Ford's Model T
The Industrial Age (Chapter 5)
Students will learn how inventions and new business practices changed America from a nation of farmers to an industrial giant. Important inventions such as the light bulb and the discovery of oil will assist in this transformation. Students will write an essay debating whether the leading industrialists such as Andrew Carnegie are "Captains of Industry" who built an industrial economy or "Robber Barons" who exploited their workers. If all goes well, we will take a field trip in the Spring to one of the Newport Mansions that exemplify the wealth of that era.
Students will learn how inventions and new business practices changed America from a nation of farmers to an industrial giant. Important inventions such as the light bulb and the discovery of oil will assist in this transformation. Students will write an essay debating whether the leading industrialists such as Andrew Carnegie are "Captains of Industry" who built an industrial economy or "Robber Barons" who exploited their workers. If all goes well, we will take a field trip in the Spring to one of the Newport Mansions that exemplify the wealth of that era.
Immigration and Urbanization
Immigration and Urbanization (Chapter 6)
The United States is a nation of immigrants. In the 19th Century, America saw a wave new immigrants from different parts of the world. These new immigrants came for a better life and helped build the nation. Some people opposed immigration while others appreciated the positive contributions made by the immigrants. Students will debate whether immigration is good for America in the 19th Century and today. Also students will conduct their own research into their own roots to connect them to their part of the American story and or dream. |  Ellis Island: The Great Hall |
Progressive Era
 Woman Suffrage | Progressive Era (Chapter 7)
America experience great changes after the Civil War. The American population spread across the entire North American continent. At the same time, America became an industrial giant producing more good than any of the European nations. These changes led to new problems and a variety of reform movements became known as the Progressive Movement. Some of the Progressives attempted to expand the rights of women, prohibit the drinking of alcohol, protect workers from harmful working conditions, and establish a national park system. The reformers promoted a better quality of life for all Americans that still has an impact on us today. Students will participate in a learning station project that gets them to look at photographs of the time period and read stories about American life. |
Rise to World Power
 Theodore Roosevelt and the Great White Fleet | World Power (Chapter 8)
At end of the 19th Century, America became a world power. The influence of the United States expanded around the world and annexed new lands such as Alaska and Hawaii. America also fought a war with Spain and added her former colonies of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines to the United States. The United States became increasingly involved in the affairs of Central America and built the Panama Canal. The new power also created many disagreements among Americans as to what our role in the world should be. Students will need to decide the impact of presidential decisions in foreign policy on the lives of Americans and people around the world. |
