Mrs Tomson                                                               tomsonm@albanyacademies.org

Room 36                                                                    

History 7 – American History: Pre-Columbian history to 1900

 

Summary:

An introduction to American Government and Culture, this course is the first of two in the Middle School United States history program. The Academy history program seeks to develop in students the skills and habits of historians. Instruction in key communication, study and research skills is prioritized. The first year United States history course highlights the foundations of American government and culture from the founding era to 1900. Geography skills continue to build in the course with close connections drawn between geography and history. Units will include hands-on activities, group and individual projects and a field experience.

 

 

Outline:

What is history?              

How do historians use artifacts?

Types of sources – primary and secondary

What role does perspective play in our interpretation of history?

Photo Project

Library of Congress archival photo collection

                        Family history photo project – poster presentation

 

GEOGRAPHY

1. Review of 50 states

2. Pre-Columbian physical geography – North America and South America

    

PRE-COLUMBIAN CIVILIZATION

 

What was life like for the Native Americans before the arrival of Columbus?

    - Define geographic, economic, political and social aspects of Native American life

    - examine the relationship between environment and the development of culture

    - using native myths and legends as a historical and cultural resource

    - create an accurate representation of an appropriate native artifact or myth/legend

 

POINT OF CONTACT– Europeans and Americans meet

 

1. What were the historical factors that developed between the Crusades and 1492 that caused the Europeans to explore? 

    maps: Political boundaries and trade routes

 

 2. Describe the reasons for and the outcomes of European Exploration between 1492-1673

      identify key explorers

      document: Amerigo VespucciÕs description of South America

 

3. Assess the effects of contact upon the Indians and the Europeans between 1492-1673

        The Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz

        Document: Bartolome de Las Casas ÒSpanish Atrocities in the West IndiesÓ

 

4. Analytical Essay from point of view of an Explorer or  a Native American  - defend whether contact between Europe and America was positive or negative

 

 

 

COLONIAL EXPERIENCE

 

1. Why were the New England, Middle and Southern colonies established?

        economic, religious, political, and social purposes

 

2. How did English Colonial Policy establish a foundation for colonists wanting Home Rule?

       

3. Colonial life

       a.The Diary of Martha Ballard – Maine mid-wife 1785-1812

       b. Schuyler family records

       c.growing reliance on new slave economy - map of Africa

 

INDEPENDENCE AND THE FOUNDATIONS FOR US GOVERNMENT

 

1. Where did the ideas for US government come from?

    a. influence of European Enlightenment

    b. radical concept of "Human Rights" and "consent of the governed"

       

2. Path to Revolution

      a. growing strength of self-government

      b. radical repsonse of patriots

      c.Declaration of Independence

 

3. Revolutionary War

 

4. Creating a Republic and a new constitution

        demand and compromise

     

MAKING IT WORK: Federal Government and Growth of Early American Economy

Essential Questions:

1. How were key questions about government resolved in the Federal period?

2. How did the unresolved issues end in conflict?

3. What aspects of culture endured from the colonial and revolutionary experiences?

Topics:

           A. Growth of the Republic

                       b. Politically – Age of Jackson

                       c. Geographically – westward expansion, the Donner Party

                       d. Culturally – acquiring a national identity

                       e. Economic sectionalism

           B. Civil War

                       a. Timeline of events leading to war

                       b. Slavery - examination of primary documents

     

A NEW COUNTRY - again

 Essential Questions:

1. How were key questions about government resolved in the 19th century?

2. How did the American economy grow in the 19th century?

           Topics:

           a. Changes on the Frontier

           b. Indian resistance

           c. Railroad expansion

           d. Big business

3. Heading towards the 20th century

           a. new technology>>>INDUSTRIALIZATION

           b. Immigration

           c. City life

           d. Reform