Unit+1+Foundations

Students begin their study of United States History and Geography by reviewing how historians learn about the past. Using a variety of primary sources, students apply sourcing and contextualizing strategies (heuristics) to examine and ask questions about the past. Throughout the course, students investigate and analyze the changing meaning of freedom and equality over the nation’s history. Accordingly, in this unit students discuss the meaning of freedom as initially defined in the Declaration of Independence. They record their thoughts and reflections in a “Freedom Tracking Notebook.” Students then examine how the nation grappled with issues of governmental power from the Articles of Confederation to the adoption of the United States Constitution. Through analyzing writings of both Federalists and Anti-Federalists, students further refine their understanding of the meaning of freedom at the nation’s inception. They then review the growth of the nation during the first half of the 19th Century and examine the implications of nationalism and Manifest Destiny on the nation, both at home and abroad. Students next assess foreign policy during the pre-Civil War era through the lens of America’s foundational values and principles. In studying the geographic, economic, and demographic changes prior to 1877, students explore the impact of growing sectionalism, including the influence of reform movements. In particular, students compare the meaning of freedom and equality as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and Declaration of Rights and Sentiments. In assessing the changing character of American political society, students examine the Gettysburg Address as well as the 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments and their impact on the ideals of freedom and equality. The unit concludes with an introduction to the art of constructing an evidentiary argument. After analyzing data sets, students learn the difference between a statement of fact and a thesis statement. They then develop a thesis about the geographic, economic, social, or demographic transformations in America and construct an evidentiary-based argument to support the thesis. Throughout the unit, students consider the recurring question: How did the political, social, and economic transformations in America influence the evolving meaning of freedom and equality in the United States?

Essential Question: How did the political, social, and economic transformations in America influence the evolving meaning of freedom and equality in the United States?

Focus Questions
 * How did the ideals of freedom and equality influence American political society prior to 1877?
 * How did America respond to geographic, economic, and demographic changes prior to 1877?
 * How did America’s foundational values and principles influence United States’ foreign policy prior to 1877?