CORE STANDARDS of the COURSE

Standard 1      Students will interpret the role of geography in shaping United States history.

              * Objective 1 - Determine how geography affected the development of the United States.

              * Objective 2 - Utilize geographic skills as they relate to the study of the United States.

NOTE: This standard will be integrated throughout the course.

Standard 2      Students will investigate the relationship between events of different time periods.

              * Objective 1 - Develop an awareness of current events.

              * Objective 2 - Analyze how contemporary concerns and events are affected by history.

NOTE: This standard will be integrated throughout the course.

Standard 3     Students will understand the changes caused by European exploration in the Americas.

* Objective 1 - Explore life among the various American Indian nations prior to European exploration of the New World.

                * Objective 2 - Analyze the reasons for European exploration.

* Objective 3 - Assess the impact of European exploration on African slaves and American Indian nations.

Standard 4     Students will analyze European colonization and settlement of North America.

*Objective 1 - Explain where and why European countries colonized North America, e.g., the Netherlands, England, France, Spain.

                *Objective 2 - Assess the reasons for settlement of the English colonies.

*Objective 3 - Examine the economic, political, and social patterns in the development of the 13 English colonies.

Standard 5      Students will understand the significance of the American Revolution in the development of the United States.

              * Objective 1 - Analyze what ideas and events led to the Revolutionary movement.

              * Objective 2 - Assess the factors affecting the course of the war and contributing to American victory.

              * Objective 3 - Evaluate the contributions of key people and groups to the Revolution.

              * Objective 4 - Examine the effects of the Revolution on the United States.

Standard 6      Students will understand the structure and function of the United States government established by the Constitution.

          *Objective 1 - Assess the foundations and principles that led to the development of the Constitution.

***** Objective 2 - Analyze the compromises that led to ratification of the Constitution.

             *Objective 3 - Examine the basic structure of the Constitution.

             *Objective 4 - Analyze the rights, liberties, and responsibilities of citizens.

Standard 7  Students will explore the territorial growth of the United States before the Civil War.

              * Objective 1 - Describe the ideas and events that motivated the expansion of the United States.

              * Objective 2 - Examine the conflicts that arose during the American expansion.

              * Objective 3 - Analyze how new inventions and transportation methods stimulated western expansion.

              * Objective 4 - Assess the impact of the Industrial revolution on the United States.

Standard 8      Students will examine the expansion of the political system and social rights before the Civil War.

              * Objective 1 - Investigate the development of the American political party system.

              * Objective 2 - Analyze the evolution of democracy and the extension of democratic principles.

              * Objective 3 - Analyze the impact of social reforms on Americans during the 19^th century.

Standard 9      Students will understand the significance of the Civil War Era to the United States.

                * Objective 1 - Analyze differences and events that led to the Civil War.

* Objective 2 - Determine the factors that affected the course of the war and contributed to Union victory.

* Objective 3 - Evaluate the Reconstruction period and how it affected the United States following the Civil War.

Standard 10   Students will understand the development of the American West following the Civil War.

              * Objective 1 - Analyze the factors that brought people west.

              * Objective 2 - Analyze the settlement of the American West.

              * Objective 3 - Investigate the conflict among various groups involved in the settlement of the West.