Early U.S. History Curriculum

Road to Revolution

• Discuss the series of events and policies that led to growing tensions between the British government and the American colonies.
• Evaluate the impact of taxation without representation on colonial attitudes toward British rule.
• Examine the role of propaganda, boycotts, and acts of rebellion in escalating the conflict toward revolution.

Road to American Revolution – 2 weeks

• Road to Revolution (Acts) (2 days)
• 1st Continental Congress (1 day)
• Lexington and Concord(1 day)
• 2nd Continental Congress (1 day)
• Declaration of Independence (1 day)

American Revolution

• Identify the key battles, strategies, and figures of the American Revolution.
• Understand the Declaration of Independence's principles and its significance in justifying the colonies' break from Britain.
• Analyze the challenges faced by the Continental Army and the factors that contributed to American victory.

American Revolution – 2 weeks

• Advantages (1 day)
• Battles of the Revolution (2 days)
• Fighting in the West (1 day)
• Fighting in the Water (1 day)
• Battle for Yorktown (1 day)
• Treaty of Paris (2 days)
• Major Figures (1 day)

New Nation

• Discuss the challenges of governing the new nation under the Articles of Confederation.
• Evaluate the successes and failures of the Confederation government, including its handling of western lands and relations with foreign powers.

New Nation – 2 weeks

• Articles of Confederation(2 days)
• 1st Constitutional Convention, Plans, & Compromises (2 days)
• Bill of Rights (1 day)
• Federalist vs. Antifederalists (1 day)

Constitution

• Understand the Constitutional Convention's debates, compromises, and the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
• Analyze the Constitution's key principles, including federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and the Bill of Rights.
• Discuss the ratification process and the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

The Constitution- 3 weeks

• Roots and Principles (2 days)
• 3 Branches (2 days)
• Powers of Congress (1 day)
• How a Bill Becomes a Law (1 day)
• Road to White House (1 day)
• Checks and Balances (2 days)
• Amendments (1 day)
• Citizenship (1 day)

Federalist Era

• Examine the policies and visions for the United States proposed by Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
• Understand the significance of landmark events and decisions, such as the establishment of the national bank, the Jay Treaty, and the XYZ Affair.
• Analyze the impact of the Federalist Era on American political development and foreign policy.

The Federalist Era – 3 weeks

• Washington’s Presidency (1 day)
• Court System and Judiciary Act (1 day)
• Bill of Rights (1 day)
• Economy and National Bank (1 day)
• Tariffs and Taxes (1 day)
• Western Expansion & Northwest Territory (1 day)
• Pinckney’s Treaty (1 day)
• Washington’s Farewell Address (1 day)
• Two Political Parties (1 day)
• Adam’s Presidency, XYZ Affair, Alien & Sedition Acts (1 day)

Western Expansion

• Explore the motives, methods, and consequences of westward expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase and Manifest Destiny.
• Discuss the impact of expansion on Native Americans, the environment, and the spread of slavery.
• Evaluate the role of pioneers, explorers, and cultural interactions in shaping the American West.

Western Expansion- 7 weeks

• Expansion and Conflict, Jefferson to Madison Presidencies

• Thomas Jefferson, Election 1800, Marbury v. Madison (1 day)
• Louisiana Territory, Lewis and Clark (1 day)
• Pike’s Expedition (1 day)
• Hamilton vs. Burr (1 day)
• War with Tripoli (1 day)
• Embargo Act 1807 (1 day)
• Election 1808 (1 day)
• War of 1812, War Hawks (1 day)
• Industrial Revolution 1800s
• Inventions, Free Enterprise, Agriculture (1 day)
• Western Exploration, Wilderness Road, Cumberland Trail (1 day)
• The Steamboat and River Travel (1 day)
• New States Added (1 day)

• Expansion and Conflict, Monroe Presidency

• Election 1816, Tariffs (1 day)
• Sectionalism to Missouri Statehood (1 day)
• Foreign Affairs, West Florida, Monroe Doctrine (1 day)
• Expansion and Conflict, Adams to Taylor Presidencies
• Election of 1924 (1 day)
• Election of 1928 (1 day)
• Jackson Presidency  & Tariffs (1 day)
• Western Land Conflicts, Indian Removal Act, Seminole Wars (2 days)
• Election 1932 (1 day)
• Election 1936, Panic (1 day)
• Manifest Destiny
• Northwest Territory Election 1936, Panic (1 day)
• Oregon & Utah Election 1936, Panic (1 day)
• Manifest Destiny Election 1936, Panic (1 day)
• 1944 Election, Florida Election 1936, Panic (1 day)
• Election 1936, Panic (1 day)
• Texas & California (1 day)

Reform Movements

• Identify the major reform movements of the 19th century, including abolition, temperance, women's rights, and education.
• Analyze the causes, significant figures, and outcomes of these movements.
• Discuss the interconnections between various reform movements and their impact on American society.

Reform Movements – 2 weeks

• Religion, Education, Disabilities (1 day)
• Cultural Changes (1 day)
• Abolitionists (2 days)
• Women’s Rights (2 days)

Sectionalism

• Understand the economic, political, and social differences between the North, South, and West that led to increased sectional tensions.
• Discuss the role of slavery in exacerbating sectional divisions and the events leading to the Civil War.
• Examine the compromises attempted to resolve these tensions and their ultimate failure.

Sectionalism – 2 weeks

• Northern States (2 days)
• Southern States (2 days)
• Western States (2 days)
• Slaves and Underground Railroad (1 day)

Civil War

• Identify the causes, major battles, and turning points of the Civil War.
• Analyze the leadership strategies of Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and key military figures.
• Understand the effects of the war on the American population, including soldiers, civilians, and enslaved people.

Civil War – 4 weeks

• Election 1860 (1 day)
• Secession & Fort Sumter (1 day)
• Taking Sides, Advantages, Goals of War, Strategies (1 day)
• Soldier’s Life (1 day)
• 1st Battle of Bull Run (1 day)
• Battle of Ironclads & Shiloh (1 day)
• Capture of New Orleans, War for Richmond (1 day)
• Emancipation Proclamation (1 day)
• Life During War (1 day)
• War in East (1 day)
• 54th Massachusetts (1 day)
• Battle of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Port Hudson (1 day)
• Gettysburg Address (1 day)
• General Grant, Petersburg, Sherman & Atlanta (1 day)
• Election 1964, 13th Amendment (1 day)
• Richmond Falls, Appomattox Court House Surrender (1 day)
• Legacy of War (1 day)

Reconstruction

• Discuss the goals, successes, and failures of the Reconstruction period following the Civil War.
• Analyze the political struggles between Radical Republicans and Presidents Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of Reconstruction on the South, African Americans, and the nation as a whole.

Reconstruction – 2 weeks

• Debate over Reconstruction, Lincoln’s Plan (1 day)
• Johnson’s Plan (1 day)
• 14th Amendment, Reconstruction Acts (1 day)
• Johnson’s Impeachment (1 day)
• Election of 1868 (1 day)
• Republicans in South (1 day)
• End of Reconstruction (1 day)
• Election 1876, New South, Voting Restrictions (1 day)

Interest Groups, Public Opinion, Media

• Understand the role of interest groups, public opinion, and the media in influencing government policy and elections.
• Evaluate the impact of social media and digital platforms on political communication and public discourse.

Semester Course Pacing Suggestion: 1 week

• Types of Interest Groups (2 days)
• Techniques & Functions of Interest Groups (1 day)
• Structure of Media and Propaganda (1 day)

Yearlong Pacing Suggestion: 2 weeks

• Types of Interest Groups (3 days)
• Techniques & Functions of Interest Groups (2 days)
• Structure of Media and Propaganda (3 days)

Foreign Affairs

• Describe the role of the United States in international relations and global politics.
• Examine the processes and institutions involved in making and implementing U.S. foreign policy.

Semester Course Pacing Suggestion: 1 week

• Foreign Policy Goals (1 day)
• Alliances (1 day)
• Consolidated Democracies (1 day)
• United Nations (1 day)

Yearlong Pacing Suggestion: 2 weeks

• Foreign Policy Goals (2 days)
• Alliances (2 days)
• Consolidated Democracies (2 days)
• United Nations (2 days)