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Core Curriculum

United States History Lessons

Elementary


 
Early Elementary Social Studies
• Making Friends...Friends tell the truth. A friend talks about their feelings. Friends help each other. A friend knows how to make you happy when you are sad. You need to talk to lots of people to make friends. Having a fight with a friend is OK. Make sure to listen to your friends if they are mad at you. It is good to talk to your friend after you fight with them. A friend listens, shares and says kind words.
• A Walk around Town...People who live near each other are neighbors. All the people who live and work together make a community. Your school is a community. Your town is a community. There are different communities all around the world.
• Find it on a Map...Maps have many special parts. The title tells us what the map is about. The compass rose tells us the four cardinal directions - north, south, east, and west. The key has symbols on it and it tells us what the symbols mean. The symbols help us find things on the map. Maps are very useful tools that have helped people for a very long time!
• All in the Family...There are many kinds of families. Think about everyone in your family. Ask your friends who is in their family. Some children live in nuclear famlies, single-parent families, and even have extended family. No matter who is in your family, they help you and care for you. And you give so much to the members of your family too!
• The 50 United States...There are 50 states that make up the United States. 48 of the states are connected, or contiguous. Each state is different. Every state has something exciting to see and do.
• Goods and Services...You use goods and services every day. Goods are things we use or eat. Services are things that other people do to help us. When you buy a new toy at the store, you are buying a good. You are the consumer. When you have a lemonade stand and sell lemonade, you are making a good and providing a service. You are the producer.
• City Mouse - Country Mouse...There are many kinds of communities. The neighborhood you live in may be big or small. Some people live in the city. Others live in the country. Both are fun and have plenty to offer.
• Your Nation's Place in the World...The world has many countries. The United States is one of them. The city you live in is in a state. Your state is in the United States. The United States is on the continent of North America. North America is one of seven continents on Earth. There is a whole world out there!
• America's Neighbors...Our continent is called North America. Our country is called the United States of America. There are many other countries on our continent. There are countries to the north of our country. There are countries to the south of our country. Canada is a country to the north. Haiti and Mexico are countries to the south.
• Job Well Done...A community helper is anyone in the community who helps others by providing a service of some kind. The easy ones to think of are police officers, firefighters, and doctors. Volunteer workers in the community help those in need in the community by offering their time and talents without pay. Both types of helpers are vital for our communities. That is what makes a community, a group of people working together to make a better place for everyone.
• Generations of Cultures and Customs
• Coming to America...Some Europeans wanted to find new places. So, they began to explore. They found new lands and new people. They also found out that the world was round.
• Native Americans...Native Americans were the first people who lived in the United States. Today, some Native Americans live on reservations. Some Native Americans try to live the same way their ancestors lived. But most Native Americans today live in the same places, have the same houses, dress the same way, and have the same jobs as everyone else around them.
• Colonial America
• A Time to Be Thankful...The Pilgrims had a feast. The Wampanoag went to the feast, too. The Pilgrims were glad the Wampanoag helped them farm and get food. This was the first Thanksgiving. We thank our friends and family now and have Thanksgiving with them.
• Independence...Independence means that you try to do things by yourself. When America was trying to become a country many people worked together for independence. Being independent means you decide how to live your life. Being independent means you can make your own choices.
• One Big Country...In our country, the United States of American, there are many people. The people in our country are the same in many ways. They people in our country are different in many ways. The important thing is that we can all work together and get along.
• Time to Celebrate...Holidays are a time to be with family, remember a day or a person, and celebrate our freedom. Americans celebrate many holidays. Some holidays are to remember people who helped our country. Some holidays are to show that we are thankful. People celebrate holidays in many different ways.
• Red, White, and Blue...Americans are free. We have symbols that we use to celebrate our freedom. Our flag, the Statue of Liberty, the White House, and Mount Rushmore are some of these symbols. We celebrate Independence Day to show that we are proud to live in our country. A person who loves his or her country is called a patriot. People who show respect to their country are showing patriotism.
• What Does it Mean to be Free?...Americans are free. This means that we have rights that no one can take away from us. Our leaders work very hard to protect these rights. We have the responsibility to vote for leaders that will do their best for our country, the United States of America.
• Government...The United States is very special. We have a Constitution that guides our lives. Three branches of government run the country. It is different than any other country in the world. We are very lucky to live in the United States.
• How Can I Make a Difference?...You can help people that live in far away places. You can see how the things around you, like roads, can make a difference. You can notice how people want to work to help others by listening or by building something new, like a home. There are many ways to make a difference. You can be a part of a small change or a big change. You have to the power to choose how you want to change something.
• Americans from Around the World...Long ago, many people called immigrants began traveling to our country. People come to America for many different reasons, but mostly people came here so that they could be free. Long ago, people came to our country by ship and landed at Ellis Island in the New York Harbor. Today, many immigrants still come to our country everyday. They travel by ship, airplane, or on roads. Our country has many different people from many different countries. We can all work together to be free.
• Character Education: Share to be Fair...Sharing is not always an easy thing to do. However, when you take turns and share, you show you care about others. Being helpful and fair are good qualities. They make you stand out. Remember that it is always more fun to share with someone else and not play alone.
• Character Education: Who's Responsible?
• Character Education: Caring Counts...It is very important to be kind to others and show you care. You can be kind and show you care in lots of ways. You can invite a friend to play or you can help others when they have a problem. You can donate your old toys to children who do not have any toys. Even a smile and a nice hello can make someone feel better. . We should all practice kindness every day!
• Character Education: A Good Citizen
Early America
• Native Americans...The Native Americans have a long and fascinating history. They first crossed the land bridge from Asia and spread throughout North America.
• European Explorers...The Europeans explored America during the 1400s through the 1600s. They changed how people viewed the world. They traveled into the unknown. They came back with answers. Their travels helped to map continents. They spread knowledge of the earth’s features. Sadly, their contact with Native Americans brought slavery and disease to those peoples. The world changed both in good and bad ways as a result of the Age of Exploration.
Colonizing the New World
• The First Colonists...The first colonists changed North America forever. They forced Native Americans off their land and brought Africans to work as slaves. They built towns, formed governments, and created businesses. The European colonists thrived, despite being many miles from their homeland. What would it have been like to be so far from home? For them, it must have been a bit like going to the moon.
• The Jamestown Settlement...Throughout its early years, Jamestown struggled to survive. The gold and other precious metal settlers and investors thought they would find was nonexistent. In 1612, John Rolfe began experimenting with planting tobacco seeds from the West Indies. He was successful, and by 1617, colonists sent their first shipload of tobacco to England. They were finally on the road to financial solvency. Unfortunately, economic profits did not solve all of Jamestown’s problems. In 1622, one third of the Jamestown colonists died during an Algonquian uprising. In the following years, Jamestown continued to face problems with the Algonquians. The 1622 massacre along with mismanagement of the Virginia Company convinced King James I to revoke the company’s charter. In 1624, Jamestown became a royal colony. Despite all the hardships encountered by the Jamestown settlement, it managed to survive and become England’s first permanent colony in the New World. Its success encouraged the settlement of more towns along the East coast of North American and the eventual establishment of Britain’s thirteen colonies.
• Everyday Life in the Colonies...Life in the colonies was challenging and difficult. However, people still flocked there from all over Europe. Fewer crowds, religious freedom, and more opportunity were some things that convinced them to come.
• In Search of Religious Freedom...Religion played an important part in the history of the thirteen colonies. People came to America for religious freedom. Some colonies denied that freedom, while others allowed settlers to worship the way they wished. This idea of complete religious freedom gradually became part of America. Although the meaning of religious freedom is under debate today, it is still an integral part of the American system.
The American Revolution
• Conflict with Great Britain...Before the 1760s, England and her North American colonies had a friendly relationship. Most colonists were proud to be English. They enjoyed the support of their powerful parent country. They also enjoyed the freedom of living 2,000 miles away from it. Because of the distance, it was hard for England to keep tight control of the colonies. All went well, until England found itself in a war against France. Unfortunately, the war cost England large amounts of money. To help pay for the its cost, England tried to tax the colonies. The colonists, however, were not used to following England's rules. They refused to pay the new taxes. Eventually, this refusal would lead to the American Revolution and the creation of the United States.
• George Washington...Since Washington's farewell address in 1796 and his refusal to accept a third term in office, Americans have looked for a leader to fill his shoes. Americans still look for a true Commander-in Chief, preferring someone with military experience directing the armed forces. They desire a true patriot, one who is thoroughly concerned with the well-being of American citizens. George Washington set the bar high for those who would follow him. His accomplishments made him a role model which all of the presidents who followed would seek to emulate.
• Major Battles and Military Leaders...In 1775, not many people would have picked the Americans to defeat the British. But Americans fought for the cause of independence. The British fought only to keep control of an empire. In the end, the desire for independence won. Which battle or event made the biggest difference?
• Declaring Our Independence...Just as a birth certificate confirms the arrival of a newborn child, the Declaration of Independence announced the birth of our nation.
• Declaration of Independence...The Declaration of Independence is the birth certificate of the United States. Despite the dangers, the men who represented the colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. They stood united on the idea that “all men are created equally” and that the government must secure those rights for the people it serves. It is the basis for other important documents like the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation and it has helped our leaders make big decisions concerning the rights of the people. Without the Declaration, our country would not be the land of the free.
A New Nation
• Creating the United States Constitution...The people who wrote the U.S. Constitution created an incredible plan for government. They wrote this plan before cars, electricity, airplanes, or the internet were invented. Amazingly, it still works well. Many other countries have copied the U.S. constitution when making their own plans for government.
• Founding Fathers...The lives of Franklin, Washington, Adams, Madison, and Jefferson are reviewed in relation to the development of the Constitution.
• Bill of Rights...The Bill of Rights protects the basic rights of all Americans. Because of it, Americans can speak their minds, practice their religion, get a fair trial, and much more. Many nations do not have such an important document. The Bill of Rights makes America a truly great country.
The Early Republic
• The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition...The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land deals in history. Now that the United States owned such a great amount of land, they needed to learn about it. The Corps of Discovery was formed and the nation was forever changed. Lewis and Clark came back from their journey with tales of a land rich in natural resources and wildlife. The unknown land became known. The dream of the West became reality. Americans came to see the West as a place full of possibilities.
• War of 1812 and the Star Spangled Banner...The War of 1812 was tough for America. Battles were fought as far north as Canada and as far south as Louisiana. Both land troops and Navy ships were part of the combat. Even Native Americans sided with the British. Things did not look very good for the United States. By 1815, there was not a clear win by the end of the war. The United States did look good though. England was removed. The United States was respected as a nation. In addition, everyone was singing the words written by a lawyer named Frances Scott Key.
• The Indian Removal Act...In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act. It forced all American Indians to move west of the Mississippi River. Some agreed to go, and some were forced. Some began to go, but they never survived the hardships of the journey.
The Growing American Country
• Westward Hope...Many people traveled hundreds of miles, from the overland trails to the West in the mid-1800s. Thousands of people both young and old, men, women, and children traveled the trails to the West. Facing many miles of brutal weather and rough terrain, the pioneers left everything and everyone behind and made their way into the West. For every westward pioneer, the dream of “hope” was worth the risks.
• The Gold Rush...John Sutter came to California from Switzerland to seek his fortune. He did not come searching for gold, but gold found him. Sutter had hired James Marshall to build a sawmill. While he was working, Marshall saw something shine in the sun. GOLD! The two men looked at it, tested it, and decided that there was, indeed, gold in California. They knew that once word got out, their own plans would be ruined. They tried to keep it a secret, but it was no use. Once people heard about the gold, they traveled to California to seek their fortune, just like John Sutter. Some became rich. Most, like Sutter, would find their dreams crushed.
• War with Mexico...Many people recognize the battle cry “Remember the Alamo!” from Texas' independence in 1836. Few people recall the details of the Mexican-American War. Texas, the United States, and Mexico fought over the border between Texas and Mexico for years, even after Texas became a part of the United States in 1845. When Mexico lost the war, it also gave up about half of the Mexican territory. The United States, on the other hand, gained enough territory to reach from sea to sea. The American dream of Manifest Destiny was finally a reality.
• Homestead Act...In the mid-1800s the United States had a problem. The East was getting crowded and the West needed more settlers. Poor Americans had a problem, too. They dreamed of owning their own land and building a home, but the dream seemed unreachable because it was so costly. The Homestead Act seemed like a solution for everyone. It offered people who had very little money a chance to realize their dreams, and it brought people into the western territories that the United States now owned. Although homesteading was not an easy life, the promise of land was just too tempting to give up
• Slavery in America...Today we can look back and say that the institution of slavery was an obvious evil. However, so many Americans, especially Southerners, did not see it that way. It took hundreds of years, millions of lives, and a civil war to abolish slavery. Did they truly believe it was not evil, or did they convince themselves that it was necessary? It is possible that people did not think it was wrong because it was not illegal and many depended on the system of slavery to make a living. It is also very possible that they knew it was wrong but chose to ignore their conscience because of greed and racism.
• Frontier Communication...When the 1850s began, the fastest way to get a message between the eastern and western U.S. was to telegraph it to Missouri. From there, it had to go the rest of the way by stagecoach. Things moved quicker with the invention of the Pony Express. A message could then go to the coast in just over a week. In 1861, the transcontinental telegraph changed things even greater. A telegram could travel across the continent in seconds. With the telegraph, frontier communication changed from difficult and dangerous to simple and speedy. Communication in the U.S. has changed much since 1861, but never as much as it did the day the telegraph stretched from coast to coast.
A Nation Divided
• Underground Railroad...The secret system of helping slaves reach freedom in Canada became known as the Underground Railroad. To keep the path of escape hidden, a system of codes, signals, and music were used to communicate with the fugitives as they traveled. Runaway slaves risked their lives to be free, as did those who helped them along the Underground Railroad.
• Compromise and Conflict...We know that the nation fought a civil war. We know slavery was a part of it. We know who won. We now know that it had been coming for a long time. Many things happened in the years before the war that made people think of each other as enemies instead of fellow citizens. Most of the arguments were over the issue of slavery. The Missouri Compromise, the Fugitive Slave Law, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott case were supposed to give people answers to the slavery problem. Instead, they only made the division worse. Harriet Beecher Stowe's book revealed the conditions of many slaves. Instead of improving understanding, the story also created more anger between the North and the South. Throughout it all, the only ones who could not speak out about the issue of slavery were slaves.
• Election of Abraham Lincoln...Lincoln ran for president during a time of great turmoil in the United States. As the nation grew larger, it also grew more divided on major issues. The arguments between the North and the South affected everything, especially politics. The issues and events that surrounded the election influenced the way the people voted. In the end, people voted for Abraham Lincoln. Winning the election in 1860 was a challenge. However, nothing could compare to the issues and events that Lincoln would have to deal with as the nation's 16th president.
• On the Battlegrounds...The southern states seceded from the Union just a few months after Abraham Lincoln became President. Soon, Lincoln and all other Americans found themselves facing a civil war. The nation that held strong through the Revolution and the War of 1812 was now tearing itself apart. People from both the North and the South had very difficult decisions to make. Some chose sides over the issue of slavery. Some chose family over country. Some chose to protect what they held most dear. At times, friends became enemies and brothers faced each other on the battlefield.
• The End of Slavery...History credits president Abraham Lincoln with the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the Union. The Emancipation Proclamation played an important role in both of these accomplishments. However, no single action ended the argument over slavery or the battles of the Civil War. With much time and great effort, both conflicts were resolved. The end of the Civil War also ended the institution of slavery in the United States.
• Reconstruction of the South...The Civil War lasted for four years. It took much longer for the country to recover from it. The war destroyed American society, along with the buildings and farms. The old way of life in the South ended. During Reconstruction, the nation was just as divided as it was before the war. New arguments evolved over what it meant to be a free American citizen. Politicians fought with one another as they tried to solve these problems. By the time Reconstruction ended in 1877, the government ratified three Amendments. Despite the changed laws racism against black Americans still prevailed. Civil Rights would not come for another 100 years.
America Expands
• Territories Become States...It is amazing that two very different states could have such similar histories. In the late 1800s, Alaska and Hawaii became American territories. They were already rich in resources and the people who lived there kept a strong heritage that was very different from the Western culture of United States. The growth of business and a dream of instant wealth brought many settlers to these new areas and required these lands to be more accessible. Railroads in Hawaii and highways in Alaska became part of the landscape. In the 1940s, events of the Second World War created a special place for Alaska and Hawaii in American history. By the end of 1959, Alaskan and Hawaiian completed the journey toward statehood and the country finally had fifty states.
• The American Cowboy...From the clothes to their songs, cowboys have always been a symbol of the American West. Yet, the American cowboy is not just a part of our history. He is not a person of the past. Cowboys still live and work today. In fact, the lives of today's cowboys are similar to the lives of the cowboys who helped to shape the West during the nineteenth century. These historic men forged trails that stretched northward from Texas. Cities along these trails grew and prospered because of the cattle industry. Of course, none of that would have been possible without the influence of the original Mexican cowboys, the vaqueros. Many American cowboy traditions have roots in other cultures. The cowboy life offered a place for many men and women to start a life. They gathered a community of mixed races and cultures to form the traditional life of what we know as the American cowboy. In that way, the cowboy really is a symbol of what it means to be an American.
• Indian Wars...The 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee marked the end of the Indian Wars period. By that time, almost all Native American tribes had been relocated to reservations. The U.S. took control of a continent; the Native Americans lost control of their way of life. Native American reservations still exist throughout the U.S. Some are large, some are small. All were created by the U.S. government policy of relocating Native Americans. It was this policy that led to the tragic and destructive period known as the Indian Wars.
The Industrial Age
• Transcontinental Railroad: Connecting East and West...With the driving of the Golden Spike, the U.S. changed forever. Travel time from coast to coast was slashed from months to days and hours. The price of cross-country mail dropped quickly. The population of western states grew rapidly. The railroad also opened the middle of the U.S. to more settlement. Where Native Americans had once been the only inhabitants, towns began to spring up. The Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions gradually developed as more and more emigrants poured in. Native Americans were forced onto smaller and smaller sections of land. The railroad that connected America affected all those lucky enough – or unlucky enough – to have lived at that time.
• Immigration...The history of the U.S. cannot be told without mentioning immigration. Even Native Americans migrated to North America across a land bridge from Asia thousands of years ago. When Europeans first arrived, they were encountering a group of immigrants who had already discovered America. Immigrants built the U.S. into what it is today. The waves of immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries were especially important. These people suffered hardships of poverty, sickness, loneliness, and prejudice in an effort to make new lives. Many American citizens today can trace their ancestry to these courageous people who left their homes for the land of freedom and opportunity.
• Lifestyle Improvements of the Late 1800s...People born before 1800 lived in a much different world than people today. In 1800, the fastest way to travel was by horse. Clothing was made by hand, along with just about every other thing a person could buy. Surgery was uncommon and extremely painful. Once the sun set, only flames lit people's homes. The lifestyle improvements of the 1800s and early 1900s changed all of that and more. Humans learned to harness the power of steam, gasoline, and electricity. Inventions and discoveries conquered the sky, eased painful surgery, and produced clothing quickly and cheaply. Most of the things people depend upon today – cars, airplanes, computers, television – came about because of the inventions of this era. Life today would not be the same without the innovations of the Industrial Age.
• Growth of Major Cities...American cities did not just grow during the 1800s. They exploded. New York City had just 60,000 residents in 1800. By 1900, almost 3.5 million called it home. Philadelphia also swelled from 40,000 to 1.3 million during the century. Many other cities saw similar growth. Such large growth caused problems. Fires, overcrowding, and waste were common. Crowded cities also led to things like skyscrapers, large parks, full-time fire fighters, and better sewers. Immigrants brought many different cultures to America's neighborhoods. The huge city growth of the 1800s contributed to America' urban and suburban culture.
• Workers Movements and Labor Unions...Workers' movements have been an important part of American history. Before workers united, no laws protected them from unsafe workplaces or unfair employers. Workers' unions brought attention to these important problems. Today, safer jobs, better wages, and eight-hour workdays are all common. Child labor in America has become a thing of the past. However, the fight between business owners and workers has continued. Some unions became too strong, demanding things that business owners could not give. Some businesses continued to mistreat workers. Balancing workers' rights with business success will likely continue as long as there are workers and owners.
• Inventions That Changed America...In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Americans invented or adopted some amazing devices which we still use today.
World War I
• World War I...On November 11th, 1918, the guns of World War I fell silent. Huge sections of Europe lay in ruins. Millions of people lay dead. An entire generation of young men was gone – wiped out on the battlefields. The winning side wanted revenge. France especially wanted Germany to pay. The peace treaty that followed made sure Germany did pay. The Treaty of Versailles forced the German government to admit guilt and pay huge amounts of money. The treaty also forced Germany to shrink its army to 100,000 men. Germans felt angry and bitter. As a result, the seeds of World War II were planted. In just 20 years, Germany would rebuild itself and seek revenge in World War II.
• The League of Nations...World War I ended in 1918. Peace talks were a long process that took almost seven months to complete. It was hard to come to an agreement on peace terms. One important piece was the creation of the League of Nations. President Woodrow Wilson gave his famous speech on Fourteen Points. He explained America’s demands for peace. There were some countries against it - mainly from other American politicians. However, Wilson succeeded in bringing together many nations. He wanted to prevent the future wars. Even though the League of Nations had some successes, it split up after the beginning of World War II. The League did not have enough power to control aggressive countries and World War II started anyhow. However, the League of Nations was not a total loss. Eventually, the United Nations took over as the organization of nations to promote world peace.
From Good Times to Bad Times
• Right for Women To Vote...Women's suffrage, or the right to vote, was an issue in this country as early as the writing of the Constitution. Learn the history of the women's suffrage movement in this lesson.
• The Twenties: Time of Flight and Fancy...The 1920s were a time of exploration, adventure, and invention for Americans.
• The Harlem Renaissance...Many African-Americans left the South and moved to places like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. Even though they had left their homes to migrate toward northern cities, they did not leave their traditions behind. For many, Harlem became the place where they could unite to explore the unique culture and personality of the African-American people. The North offered African-Americans the chance to express their feelings concerning their view of the world and their place in it. With great courage, African-American artists began to express themselves through their craft. Soon, everyone in America took notice. By the end of World War I, the Harlem Renaissance had begun. Many important works of art, poetry, and literature were produced during this era.
• Causes of the Great Depression...One event affects another. Rain makes rivers swell, road construction makes traffic slow down, and, in 1929, a stock market crash made history. Black Thursday was just one of a series of events that led to the Great Depression, including careless spending, borrowed money, failing government, drought, and overused land. Americans saw their lives of great prosperity turn to lives of great despair and poverty. Breadlines, soup kitchens, and unemployment offices were busy. The economy was not. The Great Depression in America was not just the result of a series of unfortunate events; it was also, in part, the cause of an international depression. The 1930s was a decade in which people all over the world struggled with economic problems. What they needed was a solution.
• Programs of the Great Depression...The Great Depression took its toll on the United States. It was a dark period in our history. Fortunately, the American people elected a new President with new ideas that brought hope back to the people. Franklin Delano Roosevelt brought the New Deal to the people. With it, he brought jobs and dedication. He got the people back to work, not just for themselves but for each other, renewing the great American spirit.
World War II
• European Unrest...World War Two was fought from the jungles of Asia to the deserts of North Africa to the forests of Europe. The war officially began in 1939 on the European continent. The two sides in the war were known as the Axis and the Allies. Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the largest countries of the Axis. Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the U.S. and others formed the Allies. Germany succeeded early in the war, gaining control of most of Europe and North Africa. After the U.S. joined the war in December of 1941, much of Europe was destroyed as the Axis and Allied powers fought for control of the globe.
• The Holocaust...The Holocaust was a needless and cruel treatment of people who were different. The war greatly affected the Jewish people who had to live in hiding or were arrested and put in prison camps. The war also affected everyone through bombings, attacks, and a shortage of food and clothes. Many British children had to leave their family and friends to live in the country where they would be safer. Although discrimination still exists in some forms today, it can continue to disappear completely as every person accepts that we are all created equal – even though we are different.
• Surprise Attack at Pearl Harbor...The Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor shocked, angered, and united Americans. Japanese Admiral, Isoroku Yamamoto, spoke the famous and foreboding words, “I fear that we have awakened a sleeping giant”. His words proved true in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack. Once involved, Americans put all their strength into fighting World War II. American factories quickly switched from making cars to building tanks, jeeps, and planes. People from all over the U.S. flocked to join the armed forces. With American might and determination, the Allies were able to change the course of World War II.
• D-Day...D-Day was a success for the Allies. However, it was not easy. German soldiers had years to prepare their defenses. The Allies had to move large numbers of troops, ships, tanks, and jeeps across 26 miles of choppy ocean. Just keeping such a large operation secret from the Germans was a huge victory. When the Allies finally landed in France, the surprised Germans fought back fiercely. Many soldiers lost their lives on D-Day. Germany was not finished, either. It took another year of hard fighting to convince the Nazis to surrender. But that surrender would not have been possible without the careful planning and brave actions of the Allies on June 6, 1944.
Life in the Fifties
• The 50s: Television and Its Impact on Society...Every technological advancement or scientific discovery has benefits and drawbacks. The television is no different. Throughout the 80 years of its existence, it has informed, educated, entertained, inspired, and persuaded audiences all over the United States and the World. Its positive influence is undeniable. It has also been criticized for its contributions to the demise of moral and family values in American society. The great question to ponder is, is television a reflection of society or is society a product of television?
• The Cold War and the Berlin Wall...It is amazing that the world survived the Cold War. It is even more astonishing that human history even had such a time. Despite the negative things that happened during that time, there were some positive things. We can all agree that it took very wise and charismatic leaders, like John F. Kennedy, to curtail the catastrophe that could have occurred with nuclear weapons. Space exploration was born during that time as well. It is unfortunate, however, that the bad outweighed the good and future generations will pay for the mistakes that were made.
The Civil Rights Movement
• Brown vs. the Board of Education...The Brown decision transformed the U.S. Nearly 100 years after the end of slavery, the Supreme Court struck down legal prejudice. However, the decision did not end racism in America; but it did spark a Civil Rights movement that continues today. Equal treatment and opportunity are still goals for which Americans strive, neither of which would be possible without the courageous case of Brown Vs. the Board of Education.
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott...Besides refusing to ride buses, the Montgomery Improvement Association sued to end bus segregation. Their case reached the U.S. Supreme Court in late 1956. After 381 days and countless carpool trips, the Supreme Court declared that segregation on city buses was against the Constitution. The bus boycott came to an end on December 21st, 1956. As a result, African Americans began to challenge other unjust laws. Gradually, they began erasing the segregated system that had forced them to live as second-class citizens since the end of the Civil War.
• Sit-ins and Freedom Rides...The people who participated in Freedom Rides and sit-ins acted courageously. They challenged the unjust system of segregation that many states refused to rework. By doing so, they sent a strong message to those states to obey the Supreme Court rulings, or be forced to do so. These people faced cold stares, angry insults, and vicious attacks. But they did not give up. They put their lives on the line to demonstrate the injustice of segregation. As a result, they helped change the U.S. and provide more equality for all Americans.
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr....On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee. He was only 39 years old. He risked and lost his life for the cause of civil rights. His philosophy of non-violent resistance helped change the U.S. Because of his courageous leadership, states no longer have racist laws. Because of his dedication, many Americans changed their views about race. Sadly, racism still exists. However, Dr. King's work helped the U.S. begin to erase it. His life gave others a positive example to follow. America rightly honors him each year on Martin Luther King Day.
Life in the Sixties
• The Cold War...The Cold War followed World War II. A rivalry developed between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union wanted to spread communism, a political and economic system in which the government owns and controls businesses and property or land. The goal of the United States was to prevent the spread of communism by containing it and so the United States’ policy throughout the Cold War was known as the containment policy. The United States and other western European countries wanted to encourage democratic government based on individual freedoms and an economic free enterprise system where individuals can own businesses and property. Americans increasingly feared the people who supported communist ideals during this period.
• John F. Kennedy...Many will agree that JFK was one of the most charismatic presidents in American History. His charm was genuine and far-reaching. He was and still is beloved by many. He wore many hats: Civil Rights activist, humanitarian, visionary, youth advocate, peacemaker, commander in chief, president. His legacy lives on in so many ways.
Regions of the United States
• The Northeast: The Erie Canal...The Erie Canal, in the 1800s, was a modern marvel of sorts but above all it was a necessity to advance trade and travel between the eastern seaboard and the Great Lakes. Hoggees played important roles in the canal system. The canal system without a hoggee was literally like a ship without a sail.
• The Midwest: Marvelous Milk...The Midwest with its vast farmland is also the supplier of most of this nation's dairy products. The land with its rich, fertile soil provides healthy grazing places for the cows which produce most of the milk and milk products that Americans consume. Providing nine essential nutrients, milk is an important part of a healthy diet. This makes milk and the Midwest important parts of American history and culture. America's heartland is also dairy land.
• The South: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927...“The Mississippi River remains what it always was—a kind of huge rope, no matter with what knots and frayings, tying the United States together. It is the Nile of the Western Hemisphere.” John Gunther Egypt has been considered to be the gift of the Nile. That being said, we could also say that the midwest and parts of the south are gifts of the Mississippi River. The presence of the river has aided the rich development of culture and history in every area it borders. Good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, the Mississippi River and all that it offers is America's geographic wonder! The Great Flood of 1927 happened over many months. Some floods can happen quickly and are called flashfloods. Today, engineers build levees and dams to help protect us from floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the organization that helps us when disaster strikes.
• The West: The Grand Canyon Journey...Thanks to the bravery of the Powell expedition, we now know a great deal about the Grand Canyon. It covers over 1,218,375 acres of land in northwestern Arizona. The Colorado River cuts through the Grand Canyon. In some places, the Grand Canyon is 4,000 feet deep! In fact, it is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 15 miles at its widest. Scientists love to study this area because of the variety of wildlife. If you visit today, you might see one of the 1,500 plants, 355 birds, 47 reptiles, or 17 types of fish living there! While you can whitewater raft down the Colorado River, tourists today hike down the canyon by foot or on a mule. The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world.
Patriotic Symbols
• The Liberty Bell and the Bald Eagle...If you asked people to name important symbols of the U.S., there's a good chance that many would mention the Liberty Bell and the Bald Eagle. Since the 1700s, the two have represented the equality and freedom of America. Both have undergone difficult trials. Cracks almost destroyed the Liberty Bell, while hunting and poisoning nearly wiped out the Bald Eagle. Thankfully, American citizens have worked hard to save each. The Liberty Bell still rings every Fourth of July in Philadelphia. Bald Eagles still take flight each day across the U.S. Each of these symbols continues to represent the American spirit.
• The Statue of Liberty...In 1776, leaders in America decided to form a government based on liberty and equality. Many other places in the world took notice. In France, one particular man had a vision to show appreciation for America's government of freedom. His vision eventually became the Statue of Liberty, and it has stood as a monument to America since 1886. Lady Liberty underwent a large facelift during the 1980s. The monument was closed, repaired, and refinished. After much work, it was reopened to the public. Today, unfortunately, security concerns limit visitors only to the base of the statue. However, she still stands strong and proud as a light of freedom to the world.
• Stars and Stripes...For 230 years, Americans have used the Stars and Stripes as a symbol of their nation. It has flown on the moon, the top of Mount Everest, and the North Pole. It has flown over battlefields around the world. The “Star Spangled Banner,” is the U.S. national anthem. It was written to honor the flag. Students promise to be loyal to the flag daily in American classrooms. The flag first stood for a small but united nation. Today, that flag stands for many more people and states.
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Secondary


 
Colonization
• Native Americans...The Native Americans have a long and fascinating history. They first crossed the land bridge from Asia and spread throughout North America.
• Early Inhabitants, European Explorations...As the European explorers infiltrated North and South America, the natives living there suffered through great changes and eventually complete destruction of their civilizations. Though the Europeans would continue to grow great civilizations in the place of the Native Americans, much of the cultures lost will be lost forever.
• Competing Empires: Spain, France, and England...From 1492 to the middle of the eighteenth century, North America, South America, and the Caribbean nations were subject to an onslaught of European explorers and settlers. For nearly 300 years, the "New World" was explored, colonized, pillaged, and evangelized. Though other countries also played a part, Spain, France, and England left the largest imprints on the lands they colonized. Through the efforts (direct or indirect) of these Europeans, the people and the landscape underwent drastic changes. Ownership of the land changed hands from indigenous populations to Europeans and from one European power to another, serving to inter-mix the cultures. Some colonies were founded by those seeking to escape persecution in their homelands. Others were mere outposts on trade routes or missions among native tribes. In the process, European cultures melded with native ones, creating unique hybrids that encompassed all areas of life, from languages and dress to religion and foods. Ultimately, the colonization of the New World changed the landscape and the people in unalterable ways, some good and some bad. In addition, it also set the stage for civil wars that would eventually lead to the creation of the United States of America.
• Jamestown...Columbus’ discovery in 1492 sent shockwaves through Europe. Spain quickly sent out conquistadors and found wealth beyond anyone’s imagination in Central and South America. Could such wealth exist in North America, too? Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands commissioned explorers such as John Cabot, Giovanni de Verrazzano, and Henry Hudson to explore and claim this new land. The race was on. For almost one hundred years, England ignored the land in North America claimed by John Cabot. Finally, in the late sixteenth century, English colonists, with the blessing of Queen Elizabeth, attempted to settle in Virginia at Roanoke. The settlement attempts were unsuccessful. Years later, King James I granted the Virginia Company of London a royal charter to explore and settle Virginia. With great hopes and excitement, in May 1607, after almost five months at sea, 103 English settlers arrived at their destination. They landed on Jamestown Island, their choice for the new settlement. The Englishmen immediately began exploring the area, building a fort, and looking for gold. However, living in this untamed land was no easy task and in many ways, the colonists were unprepared for the challenges that lay ahead.
• The Mayflower and the Pilgrims...These brave people were looking for religious freedom, freedom from persecution, and the promise of a better life. They succeeded in their journey, but not without hardships, and help. Half of the group died during the first winter. However, they were lucky enough to make friends with Native Americans Samoset and Squanto, who taught them the ways of living on the land. Both could speak English, and Squanto had even lived in England for a time. He taught the Pilgrims how to plant and grow corn, and was instrumental in establishing a peace with the native tribes that lasted 60 years. The Pilgrims' hard work and determination helped establish a new country with freedom and opportunity for all who would follow their journey to the “New World.”
• In Search of Religious Freedom...We have all faced trials and tribulations, and here you have learned what it was like for others to experience persecution just because of what they believed, and more so for going against the unified religion. In order to escape this persecution and be able to practice their religion the way they thought it should be practiced, they traveled a long journey to America. For some, America did not have the freedoms they were hoping for. Some of the religious groups maintained the England ideology of needing a unified religion. Those that went against this religion once again faced banishment, persecution, and even death. Amongst all of this, there were still those individuals who stood up for their beliefs. They continued to fight for true religious freedom, and complete separation from England. Because of their strength to speak out, they suffered banishment and death. Little did they know that their courage would start paving the way to true religious freedom.
• Indentured Servants...Prior to African slavery in America, there were white European slaves known as indentured servants. In exchange for the journey to the New World, as payment for crimes or debt, through kidnapping, or simply because they were sold into servitude by the noble who owned their land, many English men, women, and children could be owned by a Master for seven or more years, work without pay, and be treated harshly. While fundamentally different from the slave system enforced on black Africans -- there was, after all, the potential of freedom after the debt was paid, although even minor mistakes could add years to their servitude, and economic conditions could make even a life of freedom impossible, which lead some to run away to other colonies and take on new identities, or simply flee into the wilderness and take their chances with the Indians.
• Life in Colonial Times...Life in the colonies presented hard times, but the people were determined to be successful. They did not have the medical or technological advancements that we do today and this shortened their life expectancy. Through this lesson you have learned about the colonials' way of life from work to play. Individuals were defined by the way they dressed, where they lived, and by their trade. They worked very hard to survive and tried to enjoy life along the way.
Fighting for Independence
• The French and Indian War...Unfortunately, the French and Indian War did not accomplish everything the colonials were hoping for, which was more land for colonial expansion. Losing the war devastated the Native Americans because they feared the continuous westward expansion, thus pushing them further west. The colonials were victorious in the war, but found themselves in an unusual situation. The same country that the colonials fought for was now going to tax them and make them pay for the war. In addition, the Proclamation of 1763 angered many Americans because they believed that they fought for the rights to the land beyond the Appalachian Mountains, and now they were being denied the right to settle there. Others were upset because they had already invested financially in this property, and now they weren't going to be able to develop it. Although the war put a stop to France's expansion into the Ohio River Valley, the colonials and the Native American tribes found themselves with a whole new set of problems.
• The Revolution in the Southern Colonies...While the events leading up to the Revolutionary War and the early battles all took place in the North, the Revolutionary War was fought and won in the Southern states. Thinking to gain an unbreakable foothold in the South, the British launched their campaign while moving away from the northern arena. Although the British won the majority of early battles in the South, they made a crucial mistake thinking that they would be able to gain a large number of supporters from the colonial Americans. Therefore, that tactic failed. Great American leaders such as Nathaniel Greene won some important battles that helped turn the war in America's favor. Using guerilla tactics and special shooters, Greene and his men were able to surprise and defeat the British, driving them slowly back until they left the Carolinas entirely. These efforts were directly responsible for pushing Cornwallis into Yorktown, Virginia to engage in a battle that would ultimately lead to his surrender.
• Prelude to Revolution...After 150 years, colonists decided that the King of England was being unfair to them. They tried to tell the king what made them unhappy. They did not like being taxed; they did not like the British military all over their land; and they did not like the fact that they were losing their ability to govern themselves in ways they had been doing for many years.
• The Declaration of Independence...When the Americans published their Declaration of Independence, England was considered to be the greatest military power in the Western World. The saying “the sun never sets on the British Empire” was not an exaggeration – they had colonies around the world and a vital navy that could extend the island nation's power effectively. Today, because we already know the outcome of the Revolutionary War, it is easy to take for granted the courage of the founding fathers, to belittle the risk this undertaking was to their lives and those of their families. At the time, however, it was the most dangerous and most important thing any of them had ever done. If you were a member of the Second Continental Congress in 1776, you were a rebel and considered a traitor by the King of England. You knew that the King had denounced independence as treason, posting a reward for the capture of certain prominent rebel leaders. You knew that signing your name to the Declaration meant that you pledged your life, your fortune, and your sacred honor to the cause of freedom.
• The Minutemen Soldiers...Each of the 13 colonies prepared to defend its territory with its own militia, or army of civilian soldiers. The most enthusiastic and strong of them were handpicked to be the Minutemen, who had to be ready at a moments notice to counter threats made to their communities.
• General George Washington...George Washington served his country in many ways. Before he was our first president, he served as leader of the military. His contribution to victory in the American Revolution was not that of a great battlefield tactician; in fact, he lost quite a few battles and sometimes planned maneuvers that were too complicated for his inexperienced soldiers to execute. However, his overall strategy proved to be right on target. He kept his army intact; he wore down the British, and avoided decisive battles whenever possible. Throughout the war, he deferred to the authority of Congress and state officials and quickly gave up his military power once the fighting ceased. On December 23, 1783, Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief to the Congress of the Confederation. His retirement to Mount Vernon was short-lived.
• The End of the Revolution...The American Revolution began with a Declaration of Independence and ended with a Treaty in Paris. The war created a new nation, one that would struggle to create a constitution, and develop its own identity away from Great Britain. The citizens of that nation did not know what would be ahead of them, but in creating their nation, they knew they wanted freedom from the tyranny of one ruler, and wanted a body of government who would speak for all people. They wanted freedom of thought and expression for all citizens. What they did not realize is that they would eventually fight among themselves over the meaning of that very issue.
The Constitution
• The Articles of Confederation...Several instances of heavy-handed British rule over the American colonists made them realize they needed to create a completely new country -- a new nation that was separate from England. Yet England had no Constitution. It was defined by Common Law, which was open to interpretation. How were the American Colonists to define themselves?
• The Constitutional Convention...There is no telling if the United States would have survived this long as a country if it had not been for the Great Compromise of 1787. Small states might well have seceded and joined with powerful foreign nations, leaving the young United States quite un-united. With that early influence, the Civil War might well have turned into a world war and torn the country apart. The value of this Great Compromise in America\'s history cannot be overstated. The resulting Constitution has provided the foundation for our protection, government, laws and overall ideals. In 1791, the government representatives would ratify the Bill of Rights to add to the constitution specific rights of the individuals of the United States. The men who drafted the Constitution set out to build a working government and set of laws for the newly formed country. If they new the final document would survive for the years to come was not known, but the foresight of the framers proved to be lasting and the U.S. Constitution keeps this country in balance through today.
• The Bill of Rights...We often hear complaints from various people that their rights are not being respected. What exactly are our rights as defined by the Constitution?
• The Founding Fathers...George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin helped mold and create the United States. Their wisdom and tireless work led to the creation of the Constitution, a document that hundreds of years later still governs the nation and resonates with the American people.
Building a Republic
• Louisiana Purchase...In the year, 1803, under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson, one of the greatest real estate deals in history took place. The Louisiana Purchase more than doubled the size of the United States and helped to fulfill the country's "manifest destiny."
• The Lewis and Clark Expedition...President Thomas Jefferson was a man who took risks and had a vision for the United States to increase in size and bounty. The Corps of Discovery, led by Lewis and Clark, was carefully planned, in large measure by Jefferson himself. To a great degree, the expedition was a complete success. As a result of the Lewis and Clark expedition, vast knowledge about the new United States territory west of the Mississippi was gained. Information was acquired about the people, the land, the rivers, the mountains, the plants, and the animals. The expedition made important contributions, definitely for the people living during Lewis and Clark's time, but, more importantly, for all American in the generations to come.
• The War of 1812...The War of 1812 does not seem like a great American victory. Madison did not have full support of Congress; yet, he declared war against Great Britain. When the war was over, America had gained neither money nor land. However, the war showed the world that the U. S. could now fend off any foreign threats. The Union held together and the War of 1812 reconfirmed America's independence.
• Andrew Jackson...While Andrew Jackson was elected president by a landslide victory, there were many issues throughout his presidency that created division within the country. The issue regarding Native Americans was one that would last for years and through multiple treaties. To this day the Native Americans are still fighting for their land. While claiming to be a supporter of states' rights, Andrew Jackson, supported the states that supported him. States' rights would become more of an issue as the country began to further divide during the age of industrialization and over the issue of slavery. The powers of the President that increased under Andrew Jackson have further increased over the years, while still managing to maintain the balance of the branches as intended by the framers of the Constitution. The turmoil during the presidency of Andrew Jackson was a foreshadowing of what the nation was to experience over the next 30 years.
• The Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears...In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act. It forced all American Indians to move west of the Mississippi River. Some agreed to go, and some were forced. Some began to go, but they never survived the hardships of the journey.
• The Monroe Doctrine...During the end of his presidency of the United States, James Monroe had a difficult decision to make. He knew Spain was planning to reclaim her colonies in the Americas. He also knew that the power struggles of Spain and England over holdings in the Western Hemisphere would mean big trouble for the new republic. He was urged to keep up good relations with Britain. Yet, after much deliberation, Monroe decided that it was time take a stand. President Monroe presented his ideas to Congress on December 2, 1823. What he said that day became known as the Monroe Doctrine.
• Homestead Act...In the mid-1800s the United States had a problem. The East was getting crowded and the West needed more settlers. Poor Americans had a problem, too. They dreamed of owning their own land and building a home, but the dream seemed unreachable because it was so costly. The Homestead Act seemed like a solution for everyone. It offered people who had very little money a chance to realize their dreams, and it brought people into the western territories that the United States now owned. Although homesteading was not an easy life, the promise of land was just too tempting to give up
• The Gold Rush...Gold was discovered in 1848. Within two years, more than 40,000 prospectors had traveled to California. The city of San Francisco grew from a small town to over 25,000 people in one year. Few struck it rich. Some died trying. In any case, the population of California grew so large so quickly that in 1850 it was admitted to the Union as the thirty-first state.
• Texas Independence...The purchase of the Louisiana Territory gave people the opportunity to move west of the Mississippi River. As this happened, the interest in Texas increased. It was full of fertile land and had few inhabitants. Texas was part of Mexico and controlled by Spain. The residents were Native Americans and Spanish Mexicans. As the Spanish settled in the New World, they did not want to settle in Texas. This colony had no gold, no religious or political freedom, and as a Spanish colony the residents were expected to be Catholic. Stephen Austin was not opposed to any of this. In 1821, he led a group of settlers to Texas. Soon the American settlers out numbered the Native and Mexican settlers. Once this occurred, the Mexican government closed Texas to settlement. With an increase in conflict over Texas sovereignty, settlers in Texas decided to break free of Mexican rule.
• At War with Mexico...Americans were very interested in the land in the west. It was irrelevant that the land was populated by Native Americans and Mexicans. Many Americans viewed that land as unoccupied and wanted to settle there, but were concerned about interference from countries such as Mexico and Britain. By the 1840's many Americans had peacefully settled in the Oregon Territory, held by Britain. President Polk was willing to fight for the land. Britain and the United States compromised and divided the territory in half. In 1846, Oregon became part of the U.S. at the 49th parallel, continuing the border between the United States and Canada. President Polk could not afford to get into a war with Britain over Oregon. He had greater troubles with Mexico regarding Texas.
• Frontier Communication...When the 1850s began, the fastest way to get a message between the eastern and western U.S. was to telegraph it to Missouri. From there, it had to go the rest of the way by stagecoach. Things moved quicker with the invention of the Pony Express. A message could then go to the coast in just over a week. In 1861, the transcontinental telegraph changed things even greater. A telegram could travel across the continent in seconds. With the telegraph, frontier communication changed from difficult and dangerous to simple and speedy. Communication in the U.S. has changed much since 1861, but never as much as it did the day the telegraph stretched from coast to coast.
The Economy of the North and South
• Agriculture in the South...The southern region of the United States changed a great deal as it emerged from the Revolution victorious and unified. Suddenly, people in America had new freedoms and big decision to make concerning how they were going to proceed with government, rights of the people, and business. In the South, the tide changed as new inventions and economical need led to an increase in crop production. The main crop exports in the South were cotton, tobacco, sugar, and rice. Some industry developed in the South in Georgia and along the imaginary line between the North and the South, but for the most part, the South remained an agrarian, or farming, region.
• Slavery in America...We have all been in situations where we have been treated unfairly. The injustice and suffering that American slaves experienced until the Civil War in the 1880s, however, is almost unparalleled in the United States. Slaves were punished severely for the same behaviors for which free Americans experienced no chastisement. What was the reason behind this? The bondage of slavery allows others to treat slaves unfairly, and on many occasions, inhumanely. Even with harsh treatment, many slaves held hope for escaping their servitude by means of the Underground Railroad. Their desire for freedom outweighed the dangers they would face on their journey. Many succeeded in escaping to freedom in Mexico and Canada. Many who believed that slavery was a blight on the young nation helped slaves in their journeys to liberty.
• Urbanization in the North...The first half of the nineteenth century was a time of change for the North. Western markets open due to the completion of the Erie Canal and products could be shipped faster and farther using the steamboat. The slow process of the transition from agrarian to industrial began with factories that Slater, Whitney, Lowell, duPont, and countless others established. Thousands of people flocked to the cities for jobs in the factories, including migrants from rural areas, single women, free blacks, and immigrants from overseas. By the start of the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution had hit its stride in the North. In the decades following the Civil War, the North will set the industrial standard for the rest of the country. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the United States would be well on its way to joining the elite ranks of the economic world powers.
The Civil War and Reconstruction
• The Underground Railroad...Those who chose to escape from their masters faced many challenges. They relied on lies, secret hiding places, and the kindness of strangers. They traveled with only the clothes on their backs, unsure of where they were going or what they would do when they arrived. Yet, they risked it all for a life of freedom – a life we take for granted today. Freedom was a dream for many slaves that become a reality for a few, thanks to the Underground Railroad.
• Dred Scott Case...Only 150 years ago, the United States outlawed slavery. Before then, slavery had been a large part of American life. Millions of people were treated as property. They could be bought and sold, separated from their family, beaten, overworked and underfed, all according to the whims of their masters. Dred Scott was one of those unfortunate millions, and his decision to sue for freedom would shape the direction of slavery, and the nation.
• Bleeding Kansas...When the Kansas-Nebraska territory was organized, Congress felt it would be best to let the people who settled it decide the question of slavery. Unfortunately, passions ran high on both sides of the issue. Violence soon erupted between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, earning the territory the gruesome nickname “Bleeding Kansas.” These passionate views about slavery reflected the deep divisions in 19th century America. Kansas was the first place where these divisions exploded into armed conflict, but it was not the last.
• Choosing between the North and the South...When the Civil War began in 1861, choosing between North and South was not a simple decision. While the North had numerous cities and a much larger population, more factories, and greater railroad mileage, the South had the benefit of better officers and fighting on their own soil. ,Therefore it was not as easy as just looking at these facts to make an informed decision between the sides. People like Robert E. Lee, James and Alexander Campbell, and Stand Watie had to choose to swear their loyalty to their home state or to the United States. In 1861, most predicted a short fight between the North and the South. Few realized that the war would last four long years. The Civil War resolved some of the issues that had divided the North and South, like slavery and the supremacy of the federal government, but not all of the political, economic, and cultural differences. The reconstruction process was slow. The North became industrialized while the South remained agricultural. Despite the constitutional amendment outlawing slavery, Southerners found new ways to bind Africans to the land. The deep schism that divided North and South did not quickly disappear, but took decades to complete the healing process.
• Civil War Generals...Many consider the Civil War to be a blemish on the history of America. It was a war of brother against brother, friend against friend, American against American. The generals on both the North and the South fought bravely for their causes. The war cost many young lives before Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army surrendered to the Union forces. This brought an end to a War that produced far-reaching consequences.
• Battles of the Civil War...The Civil War lasted from 1861-1865. Over 620,000 soldiers died in more than 10,000 military engagements. The war destroyed millions of dollars worth of personal property and physically devastated the South. Economically, American cotton was no longer king and the South fell further behind the North. While the South struggled to rebuild, the North moved into the Industrial Age and underwent a quick recovery. Once the war ended, a new struggle began – reuniting the divided country. Before reunification could occur, the government had to make decisions. What should happen to the four million freed slaves, the Confederate soldiers, officers, and government officials? The war lasted for four years, but it would take much longer to reconstruct the fractured country.
• Women during the Civil War...Women played many important roles during the Civil War. Thousands of women served as nurses and a few served as doctors. Some acted as spies, and a few hundred disguised themselves as men and enlisted as soldiers. The majority of women stayed home and while the war made life difficult, their lives went on. They ran the family farm or business and heard only fragments about what was going on in the war from letters and newspapers. They experienced the harshness of enemy occupation and the horror of nearby battles. The women were also strong supporters of their side and would help keep up the morale of their army by raising money or supplies and making items like uniforms, bandages and “housewives.” In Clara Barton's words, women during the Civil War were the “saviors of men.” As women stepped out of the cult of domesticity during the Civil War, their desire for more rights and opportunities increased. These brave women became the foremothers of such causes as women's suffrage and civil rights. The Civil War caused their lives to be forever changed as well as the course of U.S. history.
• Abraham Lincoln...Abraham Lincoln became the sixteenth president of the United States at a time when the citizens of America were divided over differing ideas of what the nation should be. We can read his words and understand the messages he sent to the nation. In a day without speech writers and television, Lincoln needed to rely heavily on the power of his own words to communicate to the American people and pull the nation together. Written and spoken nearly 150 years ago, Lincoln's words remain one of the most brilliant examples of rhetoric in American history. Many of his ideas are as important to us today as they were to the people of the nineteenth century. Yet, can these same speeches and letters help us to understand Abraham Lincoln, himself? Throughout this lesson, you will analyze Lincoln's position on the issues of liberty, government, unity, and equality. You will come to know him as a person as well as a politician.
• Abolition of Slavery: The 13th Amendment...The beginnings of slavery in the United States existed well before the Revolutionary War. By the 1800s, the institution of slavery was deeply entrenched into the fabric of the nation. For many people, it was simply a part of life or a necessary evil. Others in the nation viewed slavery as a horrible injustice to their fellow man. Even for some slaves, the situation was not black and white! Slavery was an economic, political, and very personal issue. Its existence continued to divide a nation which was already heading toward a Civil War. As the war continued, it became obvious that it required political action to address the growing problem of slavery and a very real threat to the union. The solution to one problem, however, may often cause another.
• Freedom after Slavery...The Reconstruction period following the Civil War in the United States was a time when the nation worked to rebuild and reunite itself after the North and South went to war. In Southern states, many white landowners claimed that slaves were necessary for plantations to continue harvesting and many Southern whites did not agree that whites and blacks should live and work together as equals. On the other hand, black Americans were thrilled with the thought of freedom. Yet, many challenges still faced the former slaves. How would life be different when they were free? How would they be able to live their freedom in a society that still considered them inferior? For many former slaves, the road to freedom was long and painful. In many ways, Reconstruction was a more difficult battle than the Civil War.
Industrialization
• Andrew Carnegie and the Steel Industry...Andrew Carnegie worked his way up from poverty to build a vast steel empire that had a profound impact on American history. Learn more about Andrew Carnegie, who emigrated from Scotland to the United States in 1848, and how he developed the steel industry. You will also learn about the life of a typical steel worker and the infamous “Homestead Strike.”
• Transcontinental Railroad: Connecting East and West...With the driving of the Golden Spike, the U.S. changed forever. Travel time from coast to coast was slashed from months to days and hours. The price of cross-country mail dropped quickly. The population of western states grew rapidly. The railroad also opened the middle of the U.S. to more settlement. Where Native Americans had once been the only inhabitants, towns began to spring up. The Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions gradually developed as more and more emigrants poured in. Native Americans were forced onto smaller and smaller sections of land. The railroad that connected America affected all those lucky enough – or unlucky enough – to have lived at that time.
• The Growth of Cities...The growth of industry, thanks to England's Industrial Revolution and a wave of immigrants and migrants, made executives wealthy. John D. Rockefeller's oil refineries and Andrew Carnegie's steel mills made millions of dollars for the owners and their investors. To some, these men were known as “robber barons,” people who got rich with no consideration for the common people, while to others they were “captains of industry,” pioneers who were rewarded with wealth due to their calculated risks that helped literally build a new society.
• Lifestyle Improvements of the Late 1800s...People born before 1800 lived in a much different world than people today. In 1800, the fastest way to travel was by horse. Clothing was made by hand, along with just about every other thing a person could buy. Surgery was uncommon and extremely painful. Once the sun set, only flames lit people's homes. The lifestyle improvements of the 1800s and early 1900s changed all of that and more. Humans learned to harness the power of steam, gasoline, and electricity. Inventions and discoveries conquered the sky, eased painful surgery, and produced clothing quickly and cheaply. Most of the things people depend upon today – cars, airplanes, computers, television – came about because of the inventions of this era. Life today would not be the same without the innovations of the Industrial Age.
• Immigration and the Irish Contributions...Beginning with the arrival of Annie Moore, Ellis Island was a gateway to America for millions of immigrants from all over the world. Regardless of the language they spoke or their country of origin, they arrived hoping for a better life than the one they left behind. Yet, of all the peoples that have journeyed to America, the Irish experience has been one of the most deeply-rooted and significant in American history.
• Workers Movements and Labor Unions...Workers' movements have been an important part of American history. Before workers united, no laws protected them from unsafe workplaces or unfair employers. Workers' unions brought attention to these important problems. Today, safer jobs, better wages, and eight-hour workdays are all common. Child labor in America has become a thing of the past. However, the fight between business owners and workers has continued. Some unions became too strong, demanding things that business owners could not give. Some businesses continued to mistreat workers. Balancing workers' rights with business success will likely continue as long as there are workers and owners.
• Child Labor...Child labor during the Industrial Revolution is truly a stain on the history of humanity. Children, treated cruelly because of poverty and greed, faced abuse every day. Some as young as four years old marched off to the chimneys, factories, mills, and mines every morning. A majority of the children suffered injuries and stunted growth because of their hard labor. Though many of these young workers wished to go to school and counted it a privilege to be able read, most of them never had the opportunity. The few that attend Sunday school were too tired and fell asleep during class. Though some saw child labor as an advantage, Lewis Hine’s photos of thousands of children awakened society to the cruelties of child labor. The children’s circumstances slowly started changing as the government began making new laws called the Factory Acts.
• President Harry S. Truman...The mid to late 1800s brought about rapid industrialization that took over many major cities. Factories created products that people wanted, and did so faster and less expensively than if a person were to make them by hand at home. In 1820, half the nation's industrial toilers were children under ten years of age. This factory system continued and peaked in the first few decades of the twentieth century; it often negatively impacted the children emotionally, physically, and mentally. In the early 1900s, reform movements grew and labor standards in general began improving. This improvement increased the political power of working people and other social reformers to demand legislation regulating child labor.
New Mexico
• Origins of the Apache and Navajo Tribes...The Pueblo Revolt was a great victory for the Pueblo people. They drove out the Spanish and Po’Pay reigned over the Pueblos for the next several years. However, peace did not last long, as raids against the Pueblo people by the Apache, Navajo, and Ute continued. The death of Po’Pay around 1688 led to quarrels between the different Pueblo tribes as they attempted to choose another leader. These raids, power struggles, and a seven-year long drought, weakened the once strong Pueblo alliance. In 1692, the Spanish returned to Santa Fe under the leadership of Diego de Vargas. He offered clemency to all who pledged allegiance to the Spanish king and converted to Christianity. To preserve peace, the Pueblo leaders agreed to this bloodless re-conquest and once again, the Spanish controlled the land. However, the peace was tenuous at best. There was a second, but unsuccessful, Pueblo Revolt in 1696 and tensions between the Native Americans and their colonial overlords would remain for centuries.
• Westward Expansion (Santa Fe Trail) and Manifest Destiny
• Mexican-American War...Mexican officials were extremely reluctant to hand over New Mexico, the most populated area of northern Mexico, to the United States. During treaty negotiations, they stressed that the New Mexican citizens had no desire to become Americans citizens. The officials reminded the Americans that the New Mexicans had fought against the Texas Santa Fe Expedition and shed their own blood for Mexico. However, due to the military pressure of General Scott’s occupation of Mexico City and the fear that the United States might attempt to conquer all of Mexico, the Mexican officials reluctantly gave the United States control over New Mexico. Article VIII gave Mexicans a year to decide to stay and become American citizens or to repatriate. Over four thousand people from New Mexico and close to seven hundred from El Paso Lower Valley decided to repatriate. They settled in border towns in Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1854, because of the Gadsen Purchase, many once again found themselves living in the United States. The provisions the Mexican officials had worked so hard to include in the treaty failed to stand the test of time. Mexicans soon found themselves treated as contemptible foreigners, all the while on their own land.
• Bosque Redondo 1863/4 (The Long Walk) and the Navajo Roundup...After the U.S.-Navajo Treaty of 1868, the Navajo returned to a reservation located in their ancestral homeland. Finally back home, the Navajo prospered and remained peaceful. Today, the Navajo reservation is the largest of all the Indian reservations, encompassing almost 27,000 square miles and supporting a population of over 250,000. The discovery of oil on Navajoland in the 1920s brought prosperity to some Navajos, yet the majority of those living in Navajoland make their living by raising cattle and selling crafts. Additionally, like many other Native American tribes, the Navajo face high unemployment, dropout, substance abuse, and suicide rates. Although the Navajo and United States government leaders considered the 1868 treaty a victory, it really was a loss for the Navajo. Yes, the American government let the Navajo return to their homeland, but things were never the same.
• Peace and Post Bosque Redondo into Statehood...New Mexico finally achieved statehood on January 6, 1912. However, this brought new challenges as Hispanics and Native Americans attempted to find their place in the new state. The nation did not grant Native Americans citizenship until 1924 and even then, New Mexico denied Native Americans the right to vote. In fact, New Mexico became the last state to enfranchise Native Americans, in 1962. While the threat to New Mexico’s borders ceased with General Pershing’s expedition into Mexico, New Mexico and the United States soon found themselves embroiled in World War I. For a brief time, Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans fought side-by-side against a common enemy.
• Civil War in New Mexico (1860's)...After the Battle of Glorieta, the Confederate army began their retreat to Texas. However, their retreat did not signal the end of their troubles. They continued to be chased by the Union army. On April 14, 1862, Union soldiers under the command of Colonel Canby caught up with part of the Confederate army in the town of Peralta. The Union army captured a supply train and surrounded the Confederate army, cutting them off from any reinforcements. After a harsh exchange of artillery fire, the Confederate army was able to withdraw. The Battle of Peralta was the last battle in New Mexico. It further convinced the Confederates of the fallacy of their actions and they withdrew to Texas, never making their dream of controlling the West a reality.
• Modern Day Navajo and Apache...From the Pueblos’ Feast Days to the Mescalero Apache’s Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino, tourists flock to the New Mexico reservations for a chance to see Indian customs first hand. However, tourists rarely see an accurate view of reservation life. The challenges facing the Native American population in New Mexico and throughout the United States have no simple solutions or easy fixes. American Indians constantly struggle with walking in two worlds and balancing the ways of modern America with traditional tribal customs and beliefs. Some theorize that this struggle along with mainstream institutionalized racism perpetuates the problems of high alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and suicide rates among Native Americans. Despite similar challenges, Indian Nations rarely unite to fight for their rights and for beneficial changes. Perhaps, monumental change will only occur in the future when American Indians from all the nations join to have their voices heard. Until then, the problems will continue to challenge the Indian Nations.
Settling the West
• The 1862 Homestead Act and the Westward Surge
• Cattle Kingdoms
• From Boom Town to Ghost Town—Western Mining
• The Indian Wars
• Women in the American West
• Minorities in the American West
Imperialism and Progressivism
• The Spanish-American War...In 1898, the United States fought one of the shortest, most one-sided wars in modern history. The Spanish-American War was a brief conflict between the United States and Spain. Actual fighting lasted less than four months, but the war had far-reaching implications. The Spanish-American War established the United States as a world power. More than that, though, this nation – founded in opposition to imperialism – had begun to grapple with its own expansionist tendencies. Manifest Destiny,– the notion that the United States was destined to expand beyond its borders, spreading democracy and freedom to the world – had become the prevalent mindset amongst the American people. With a victory in the Spanish-American War, the United States had become a true global power. As the United States lost only 460 people in battle, John Hay referred to the conflict as a “splendid little war”.
• Indian Wars...The 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee marked the end of the Indian Wars period. By that time, almost all Native American tribes had been relocated to reservations. The U.S. took control of a continent; the Native Americans lost control of their way of life. Native American reservations still exist throughout the U.S. Some are large, some are small. All were created by the U.S. government policy of relocating Native Americans. It was this policy that led to the tragic and destructive period known as the Indian Wars.
• The Rough Riders...When the United States government decided to enter the Spanish-American War, it had the widespread support of the American people. They believed it was their duty to spread democracy to the world, to extend American ideals to other nations. When the government finally went to war, they received volunteers from all walks of life. Perhaps the most famous volunteer was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Teddy Roosevelt, who became Colonel Roosevelt and leader of the First United States Volunteer Calvary, better known as the “Rough Riders.”
• Buffalo Soldiers...In 1866, a year after the Civil War, Congress approved an Act that established two cavalry and four infantry regiments that were to be composed of colored (or black) men. Most were stationed out West to defend American expansion into Indian territories. Thus began the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. Their service continued through the Spanish-American War of 1898, which placed America on the forefront of the world stage. While Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders gained most of the celebrity in this conflict, as one Rough Rider said, “If it hadn't been for the black cavalry, the Rough Riders would have been exterminated.”
• Territories Become States...It is amazing that two very different states could have such similar histories. In the late 1800s, Alaska and Hawaii became American territories. They were already rich in resources and the people who lived there kept a strong heritage that was very different from the Western culture of United States. The growth of business and a dream of instant wealth brought many settlers to these new areas and required these lands to be more accessible. Railroads in Hawaii and highways in Alaska became part of the landscape. In the 1940s, events of the Second World War created a special place for Alaska and Hawaii in American history. By the end of 1959, Alaskan and Hawaiian completed the journey toward statehood and the country finally had fifty states.
• Panama Canal...The history of the construction of the Panama Canal is the saga of human ingenuity and courage: years of sacrifice, crushing defeat, and final victory. Many gave their lives in the effort. Although France was the first to attempt to build the canal, the United States completed the project in 1914. Today, the Panama Canal remains a vital link between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. It is one of the most elaborate engineering feats of all time.
• Panama Canal...The history of the construction of the Panama Canal is the saga of human ingenuity and courage: years of sacrifice, crushing defeat, and final victory. Many gave their lives in the effort. Although France was the first to attempt to build the canal, the United States completed the project in 1914. Today, the Panama Canal remains a vital link between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. It is one of the most elaborate engineering feats of all time.
World War I: The War to End All Wars
• Causes of World War I...The five years between 1900 and 1914 were a time of increasing tension between the world powers of Europe, which lead to the First World War.
• Military Leaders of WWI...The "war to end all wars" did not really end anything. Wars continued to rage throughout the 20th Century, just as they have throughout history. What did come to an abrupt end, however, was the manner in which wars were fought, now using greater sophistication and technologically advanced weaponry. Many of the leaders you learned about were responsible for introducing these fundamental changes in how wars were fought. Another thing that changed with World War I was the global nature of armed conflict. Instead of regionally fought wars, one nation against another, wars involved international coalitions and national alliances, some of which endured through multiple wars to this very day.
• Methods of Warfare...Various technologies introduced in World War One, and which influenced modern war and travel, are discussed.
• The League of Nations...As early as 1815, when the end of the Napoleonic Wars established the Concert of Europe in Vienna, disputes between nations were settled by formal arbitration. Later, at The Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907, issues such as the peaceful resolution of disputes, limitations of arms, and conventions regarding the laws and customs of war were discussed. After the first two Hague Conferences, a third Hague Conference, scheduled for 1915, was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War I. The United States entered into World the war in 1917 when it declared war on Germany. President Wilson recognized a need not only to reach peace, but also to prevent future wars. On January 8, 1918, President Wilson addressed Congress, outlining a plan for reaching peace in his famous “Fourteen Points” speech.
From Prohibition to the New Deal
• Prohibition...”Prohibition” was the name given to the effort to reduce the consumption of alcohol in the United States by prohibiting its manufacture, sale and distribution. On the side of prohibition were many women, churches, and organizations such as The Anti-saloon League and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Weighing in against prohibition were saloon owners, alcohol manufacturers and distributors, and many regular Americans who simply believed that the government should not restrict the right of an adult to obtain alcoholic beverages, or a business's right to manufacture, sell and distribute them.
• The Nineteenth Amendment...During the late 1880s and early 1900s, the United States experienced great change. The country entered a period of urban expansion, industrialization, and immigration. Amidst these changes reform movements such as the women's rights movement developed. Thanks to coinciding developments in mass media, ideas were spread more rapidly during this time period. This was an age that saw the rise of daily newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. The height of the women's suffrage movement coincided with the climate of reform that marked the Progressive Era, 1890 -1920. Many of the women drawn to the movement also were involved in the temperance movement [for the eventual restriction or prohibition of the use of alcohol] and the abolition movement [for the abolition of slavery]. Perhaps it was their experiences with these movements that taught the organization, public speaking, and protest skills that women suffragists needed to mount a successful struggle for women's rights. At the same time this was an era influenced by clear gender ideals. Often referred to as the cult of domesticity, women and men were expected to occupy separate spheres – women in the home and men in the world of work. So, it was not only legal restrictions suffragists were fighting against but, also firmly entrenched social ideals. The women's movement officially began in 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention. It took another 72 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote. In fact, two famous leaders of the movement, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, did not live to cast a ballot legally. Over the 72 years, the women's suffrage movement experienced a variety of successes and setbacks. Finally President Woodrow Wilson, recognizing female involvement in World War I, supported legislation to amend the Constitution of the United States. As a result the 19th Amendment was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919 and ratified by the states on August 18, 1920. The Amendment states, “Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Section 2: Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
• The Roaring Twenties...The 1920s were a time of exploration, adventure, and invention for Americans. They explored the North and South Poles, flew solo across the Atlantic, and made a new car every 10 seconds. Money, entertainment, fashion, and music were abundant. It was a time when anything was possible. It was a big change from the tensions and conservatism of the World War One years. Many Americans enjoyed a new prosperity, working fewer hours and earning more money, while factories turned out consumer goods at low prices. Lower prices meant goods were available to a wider variety of people, which changed American culture forever. Washing machines, toasters, vacuums, canned foods and other laborsaving inventions allowed for more leisure time, even among the working classes. Automobiles provided an opportunity for travel farther from home, and radios brought important news into people'homes, as well as leisure programming, such as sports, comedies and new styles of music.
• The Harlem Renaissance...During the early twentieth century, African-American thought and culture flourished like never before, creating energy that manifested itself in the form of art, literature, and a new social consciousness. This flowering of the fine arts was accompanied by a less conciliatory political agenda. Blacks were beginning to demand full racial equality. Since it took place in Harlem, New York City, this collective awakening – which, at the time, was called the “New Negro Movement” – came to be known as the Harlem Renaissance.
• The Great Depression...People experienced many types of hardships during the Great Depression. Many lost their jobs or saw their pay reduced. Some were forced out of their homes when they couldn't pay their expenses. Farmers faced drought and difficult conditions. Schools had to close because they could not afford to stay open. Even so, people managed to survive. Some protested to get better pay or working conditions. Others left home seeking better jobs or opportunities. Movies and comic strips offered some temporary escape. People tried to get by with what they had. From its vivid personal accounts of survival to the descriptive music, the Great Depression left a lasting impact on those who lived through its trying times.
• The Dust Bowl...Thick black dust hung in the air and covered everything in sight. Children wore masks on the walk to school to avoid getting “the dust pneumonia.” Crops were dying; farming families were starving; and no rain came. It was the “Dirty Thirties,” and the Great Plains region of the United States was in crisis. The previous decade (late 1920s and early 1930s) had been a time of great prosperity in this region, even as the rest of the country struggled with the Great Depression. Wheat was in demand, and farmers were profiting. What went wrong?
• FDR as President...Franklin Delano Roosevelt did not have the easiest life. Maybe that is why so many American identified with him, loved him, and respected him. He treated Americans as equals to him. He led them through some of their darkest times. People truly believed that he could improve the country, and he did. His New Deal plan found jobs for unemployed Americans. He persuaded people to trust the banks again and even started a government program that protected their money. Roosevelt started many of our most successful government agencies on which we still rely today. The American people also loved his wife, Eleanor. They gave her the name First Lady of the World because she fought for the rights of all Americans, especially women and African Americans. Her work continued even after the death of her husband.
• Roosevelt and the New Deal...The widespread prosperity of the 1920s ended abruptly with the stock market crash of October 1929. For many Americans, these were hard times. The 1920s had been a time of great prosperity in the United States. Average Americans had been buying automobiles and time-saving household appliances, often on credit, and investing in the stock market. Overproduction of goods, increased personal debt, and speculation in the stock market skyrocketed. The economy could not be sustained. In 1929, over a period of just ten weeks, companies on the New York Stock Exchange lost half their value. Businesses, and the banks that supported them, failed. Life savings were lost. By 1932, 25% of American workers were unemployed. Families were losing their homes. Hunger was widespread. The era became known as the Great Depression. Should the federal government help? President Franklin D. Roosevelt thought so. He was elected in 1932, three years after the crash. His campaign promised a New Deal for the American people, and upon taking office, he immediately instituted reforms to poverty, provide jobs, and bring economic recovery to the ailing nation.
World War II: Nation Against Nation
• The Rise of Fascism: Nazi Germany...Through a clever and well-thought-out campaign, Hitler gained the support of the German people and ruled his country with an iron will. He carried out heinous acts towards millions – particularly Jews – in an attempt to solidify his platform. Eventually, his actions, and his plan to rule all of Europe brought many countries, including the United States, into World War II.
• Japanese Imperialism...Japan was unknown to Europeans until Marco Polo wrote of this mysterious kingdom in 1295. Christian missionaries and adventurers enthusiastically traveled to Japan in subsequent years. Nevertheless, by 1614 Japan began a slaughter of over 250,000 Japanese Christians and closed itself off to foreigners and nearly all foreign influences by 1638. The Shogun warlords also outlawed firearms, so that the traditional ways of the Samurai warriors would not disappear with the introduction of foreign muskets and cannons. It was not until 1853, when Commodore Matthew Perry's American squadron of ships went to Japan that the Japanese rulers begin to realize how far Japan had fallen behind other world powers. In 1867, the last of the Shogun warlords finally surrendered power to the Emperor, who began an industrial revolution that raised Japan to the status of a modern world power by 1905. In 1904, over a dispute in Korea, Japan went to war with Russia by launching a surprise attack on the Russia Pacific fleet at Port Arthur. By 1905, Japan had defeated the Russian Empire and had won the respect of many Western Powers. The Japanese decided to continue to modernize and would eventually confront the British Empire and the United States for supremacy in the Pacific. Because of its defeat of Russia and an earlier victory over China in 1895, the Japanese military had gained tremendous influence and control over its nation's policies.
• World War II and U. S. Isolationism...In his 1796 farewell address, George Washington warned Americans to avoid \"permanent alliances\" with European powers. He felt that America stood to gain little by becoming involved in Europe\'s wars. For a large part of its early history, America was able to follow Washington\'s advice. However, the nation broke with Washington\'s counsel during the first years of the 20th century. An alliance with France and England resulted in American military involvement in the first World War. The U.S. had participated in World War I - essentially a European conflict - despite the objections of many of its citizens. The American casualty toll was high. Consequently, Americans again embraced a more isolated view of world politics. Many felt that the U.S. should simply protect its interests at home and avoid entanglements abroad. But as the 20th century progressed, that became extremely difficult to do. By the late 1930s, Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party had rebuilt a devastated Germany and begun to annex surrounding states. Europe was again on the brink of war. To make matters worse, Japan had begun increasing its aggression in Asia. The United States was caught in a quandary – should America once again be drawn into conflicts far from its borders, or should it simply stand by and watch as Europe and Asia embroil themselves in war?
• Attack on Pearl Harbor...December 7, 1941 is, as Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in his speech, “a date that will live in infamy”. Not only were 2403 Americans killed and over one thousand wounded, but the attack brought the United States into World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor temporarily united the American people in support of war and on December 8, 1941 Congress declared war on Japan. Shortly after the United States' declaration of war, Germany declared war on the United States. In the days following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States mobilized troops and arms and soon began fighting a war in Europe and a war in the Pacific.
• U.S. Japanese Internment Camps...Over 120,000 persons of Japanese descent legally living in the United States were instructed to leave their homes and move to one of ten internment camps during World War II to “protect” the country from “espionage” and “sabotage.” The majority of the internees were US citizens, and while interned, over 30,000 served in the US Armed Forces during the War. In 1988, the US government passed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which allocated $20,000 to each surviving internee and noted that there was no legitimate reason for internment.
• Internment of Japanese Americans...The people who live in the United States of America have more freedom than people who live in other countries. People in the United States can practice a religion of their choice, write their own opinions without punishment, and if they do something wrong, the authorities have to be very specific about what crime they believe was committed. A person cannot go to jail or some other type of detention facility without access to a lawyer, and they must have a trial within a reasonable amount of time. In 1942, the U.S. Government chose to violate these rights for one specific group in the name of national security. Japanese Americans had to leave their homes and stay in camps. They did not have the opportunity to talk to lawyers. They were not scheduled for any trials to clear their names. The people could not have any papers written in Japanese. They could not speak Japanese in public meetings within the campsor practice the Shinto religion. The Japanese American population waited patiently and respectfully for the U.S. Government to correct the mistakes made in 1942. There are many lessons to learn from studying the process of interning the Japanese Americans. Attacks on U.S. soil are painful and frightening; however, denying the Bill of Rights to any citizen on the sole basis of their ancestry is a violation of those rights. The internment of Japanese Americans is not only a lesson of the past; it is something we should remember in the future. The words of Chief Justice Charles Evan Hughes from the National Museum of American History Exhibit on the internment of Japanese Americans remind us that the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights only work when people speak out against prejudice and mistreatment. If we as American citizens stay informed about current events and communicate with our elected officials, then we can avoid future violations of civil rights for all Americans.
• Men at War, Women at Work...Under extremely difficult conditions, women made a huge contribution to the World War II efforts. Some worked at home as teachers, farmers, athletes, etc. while others worked at the Front as journalists, nurses, etc. With a great proportion of the able men at the Front, they pitched in and did remarkable work. Leaders like Eleanor Roosevelt provided them with a model of strength, determination, and good-will. Ultimately, most of the jobs that women held during the war were filled by American soldiers who returned after the war, sought employment, and were given preferential treatment.
• Military Leaders on the European Front...In September of 1939, German troops crossed into Poland, sparking the beginning of World War II in Europe. World War I had ended only twenty years before. In fact, most of the top military leaders of the Second World War had served in the trenches of the First. These leaders, to the best of their abilities, waged war on a scale never before seen. The European Theater of World War Two was shaped by these accomplished men. Scenario You are a World War II expert. Pretend you've been given the task of producing a television biography of one military leader from the war. As you read and learn, consider which leader you would most like to create a biography for and why.
• Military Leaders on the Pacific Front...The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 launched America into World War II. For years beforehand, Japan's leaders had been trying to build an empire in the Pacific. America stood in their way. Military leaders on both sides had predicted a war between the two nations. Their predictions were correct. American and Japanese leadership shaped the War in the Pacific. Both sides showed determination, courage, and skill. Japanese leaders enjoyed success early in the war. American leaders found success later. The Pacific War challenged the best military minds of both nations.
• D-Day...D-Day was a success for the Allies. However, it was not easy. German soldiers had years to prepare their defenses. The Allies had to move large numbers of troops, ships, tanks, and jeeps across 26 miles of choppy ocean. Just keeping such a large operation secret from the Germans was a huge victory. When the Allies finally landed in France, the surprised Germans fought back fiercely. Many soldiers lost their lives on D-Day. Germany was not finished, either. It took another year of hard fighting to convince the Nazis to surrender. But that surrender would not have been possible without the careful planning and brave actions of the Allies on June 6, 1944.
• Major American Successes...At first assisting by lending and leasing weapons and supplies to the British, the U.S. was eventually pulled into World War II when the Japanese attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Once directly involved, the U.S. became a major force in the war. The country brought a great deal to the Allied cause during WWII—much needed supplies, courageous troops and commanders, as well as fresh battle strategies. With the assistance of the United States, the Allied Powers were able to win key battles in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific Ocean. These wins played an essential part as the Allies defeated the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan. Partly because of its strong role in WWII, the U.S. emerged from the war as a world super power, whose leadership helped to shape the world for many years to come and continues to do so to this day.
• The Manhattan Project...In August 1939, famed scientist Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt advising him of new scientific findings that could lead to the construction of an extremely powerful bomb. He further advised the president to provide funds to speed up experimental work, and to appoint a person as a liaison between the government and scientists. He also warned that German scientists were already engaged in similar research. Roosevelt's response led to the establishment of a highly secret military program directed by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer under the direction of General Leslie Groves. The program became known as the Manhattan Project. Germany's invasion of Poland in September 1939 ignited World War II. America entered the war two years later after the surprise Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. During these tumultuous years, the Manhattan Project scientists scrambled to develop a bomb before the Germans or Japanese. They succeeded. By July of 1945, the U.S. had developed and tested the most explosive device ever invented – capable of destroying an entire city in the blink of an eye. Consequently, the success of the Manhattan Project left the U.S. with a larger dilemma. Should the bomb be used?
• Dropping the Atomic Bomb...In December of 1941, Japan attacked U.S. forces in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. For the next four years, the Japanese would fight very hard to take over more land in the Pacific Ocean. Once President Harry S. Truman learned that a group of scientists had developed a special kind of bomb, he and his staff saw a way to end the war with Japan. The power of the bombs that fell on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945 caused destruction that no bomb before it could match. Many Japanese citizens, including women and children died instantly. People who survived suffered from terrible burns and sickness. Students explore the U.S. government’s official position and look at the debate about other possible reasons for dropping the bomb besides getting Japan to surrender. They will learn about the possible role of the Soviet Union at that time, how Japan recovered, and how entering the “nuclear age” affected world relations in the years following World War II.
• American Response to the Holocaust...During the 1930's, Nazi Germany – under the leadership of Adolph Hitler – began a systematic persecution of all Jews within its borders. German laws eroded Jewish rights. State-sponsored propaganda cast Jews as villains. Desperate to escape the Nazi tyranny, many Jewish persons attempted to emigrate to the U.S. Unfortunately, they did not receive an open welcome. Racial and economic prejudices convinced some that the U.S. would be better off without a large influx of Jewish workers. Bureaucratic barriers to their emigration were put in place. By 1942, rumors were circulating that Germans had begun to carry out an extermination of the European Jewish population. Some dismissed these reports as wild propaganda. However, a vocal minority within the U.S. spoke up loudly, urging that something be done to aid the plight of Europe's Jews.
The Cold War
• Background to the Cold War...Over the course of three decades, Soviet-American relations swung from one extreme to the other; after a period of non-recognition, Communism gained ground in American popular culture, only to be discarded after the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact in 1939. Just a few years later, however, the United States and Great Britain wholeheartedly joined forces with the Soviets to defeat the Axis Powers during World War II. However, even at the peak of their cooperation, the Americans and the Soviets found themselves in disagreement over fundamental political, economic, and cultural issues, and their alliance barely survived the war. Less than year after World War II ended, an international crisis that would occupy the superpowers for the next fifty years – the Cold War – was underway.
• The Early Cold War...By the time the Fifties dawned, actions from both the superpowers had made the idea of the Cold War a brutal reality. In the United States, new terminologies (“the Iron curtain”) and perspectives (“containment”) had emerged to describe America's approach to its former allies, and the Truman Administration already had implemented many classic Cold War plans and policies, including the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the National Security Act. Over in the Soviet Union, belligerent language, aggressive action towards the city of Berlin, and the successful detonation of a nuclear weapon suggested that the Soviets, too, were committed to this new understanding of world affairs. In the decades to come, the Cold War would only continue to expand – and create deadly consequences for millions around the globe, especially in East Asia and the Third World.
• The Marshall Plan...Before 1947 it was not the policy of the United States government to offer economic assistance to foreign countries. That all changed after World War II with the European Recovery Plan (ERP), also known as the Marshall Plan. Through this plan the United States helped European nations rebuild their homelands after the catastrophic devastation of World War II and simultaneously built up an economic front to secure power for the ensuing Cold War with the Soviet Union.
• The Korean War...Although it has often been called, “the Forgotten War,” the Korean War remains a key turning point in America's relationship with the rest of the world, especially insofar as the Cold War is concerned. The first “hot flash” in the Cold War, the Korean War showed both that the United States was prepared to put the Truman Doctrine to the test in defense of the “free world” – and that the United States would not resort again to the nuclear attacks that had ended World War II. The United Nations' role in the war also set the stage for that organization to continue to be a lightning rod for Cold War tensions in the months and years to come. This tiny region of the world had a last impact on American politics, too, from the civil rights movement to the Democratic Party's loss of power. Furthermore, the nature of the war and its subsequent stalemate forced the United States to reassess its view of itself as a country that could always count on victory in military engagements. Thanks to the Korean War, the American people grew both more confident and more cautious.
• McCarthyism and the Red Scare...In the late 1940s and early 1950s, fear of communism – also known as the 'Red Scare' – spread throughout the U.S. Many Americans felt communism restricted freedom and posed a serious threat to the American way of life. They feared communists would gain control of the U.S. government; this fear relaxed a bit during World War II, yet post-war Europe saw aggressive Soviet policies that rekindled the fear of the 'Reds'.
• Eisenhower and the Cold War...The onset of the Cold War, the growing Red Scare, the painful continuance of the Korean War, and the growing national debt combined to help the Republicans gain ground as the 1952 election approached. They assured themselves a win with the selection of Dwight D. Eisenhower as the Republican candidate. Once in office, Eisenhower tried to create a “New Look” for American foreign policy. Relying on a massive nuclear arms buildup, the resources of the business community, and the recently created Central Intelligence Agency, Eisenhower devised less obtrusive ways for the United States to extend its influence around the world.
• The Berlin Wall
• Kennedy: A New Frontier...For many who lived through Kennedy's life and death, he will forever be remembered as a tragic hero. But those of us who were born later might be able to see the Kennedy presidency more clearly. Kennedy was a man with boundless enthusiasm who wanted to steer the nation in new directions: in space, in foreign relations, and in civil rights. But oftentimes, his visions were derailed by a series of crises – the Berlin Wall, the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, and the Cuban Missile Crisis – that stemmed in part from Kennedy's own aggressiveness. These situations captured the attention of the President and the nation for significant portions of the Kennedy presidency, and the focus on “new frontiers” was often forgotten.
• The Cuban Missile Crisis...For two weeks in October of 1962, the Cold War adversaries of the U.S. and U.S.S.R. brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba – only 90 miles from the coast of Florida – triggered the crisis. The U.S.S.R. contended the weapons were defensive. American spy-planes proved otherwise. U.S. pilots photographed several Soviet medium range missile sites, the presence of which placed most of America inside a nuclear bull's eye. The lives of millions and the possible survival of civilization hung on the decisions of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
• JFK and the Cuban Missile Incident...Thirteen days of tension ended with the Soviet agreement to remove the missiles from Cuba. The United States, in turn, agreed not to invade Cuba and secretly removed their missiles from Turkey. Cuba remained a communist nation under the leadership of Fidel Castro, but with the removal of the Soviet missiles, United States could breathe easier. The Cuban Missile Crisis did not signal an end to the Cold War. Even after the assassination of President John Kennedy and Khrushchev’s fall from power, the Soviet Union and the United States remained enemies. The Cold War lasted another three decades until the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, the United States considered the spread of communism a threat to democracies around the world. As a result, after the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States increased their involvement in Vietnam. By the end of the 1960s, thousands of United States soldiers were fighting against the Communist Viet Cong. For the United States, the Cold War led to another very "hot" war.
• The 50s: Television and Its Impact on Society...Every technological advancement or scientific discovery has benefits and drawbacks. The television is no different. Throughout the 80 years of its existence, it has informed, educated, entertained, inspired, and persuaded audiences all over the United States and the World. Its positive influence is undeniable. It has also been criticized for its contributions to the demise of moral and family values in American society. The great question to ponder is, is television a reflection of society or is society a product of television?
• The Space Race...The Cold War competition between the Soviet Union and the United States extended into many different arenas creating a competition with the goal of becoming the world's largest industrial and technological superpower. This intense rivalry pushed America and Russia into a contest that the world had never before seen – a race to conquer space.
Civil Rights
• Segregation and Discrimination...The founding documents that shaped the United States celebrated ideals like equality, democracy, and rights. While these documents established the law of the land, they have not been universally applied throughout history. Discrimination because of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, and religion were the harsh realities for many living in the United States. At times, segregation, or separation, between groups was practiced and even legalized.
• The Ku Klux Klan...The story of the Ku Klux Klan is one filled with intimidation and fear. It is difficult to comprehend the type of hatred and beliefs that would cause a group of people to act so violently towards another group of people. Learning about the Klan helps us to understand why this organization gained such popularity and power during certain times in history. It also teaches us lessons about the dangers of hatred and intolerance.
• Brown vs. Board of Education...The landmark case Brown vs. Board of Education, which made school segregation illegal in 1954, is presented in the context of the major players and its ongoing impact.
• Martin Luther King and Non-Violent Protests...It's been almost forty years since Martin Luther King's assassination. Race relations continue to challenge America's citizens. However, the gains made during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s cannot be overstated. When Dr. King first stepped onto the national stage, segregation was the law in most southern cities. By the time of his death, legalized segregation had come to an end. Without the nonviolent protest movement, these gains might have taken much longer and cost many more lives.
• Women's Rights...The rights and roles of women have changed drastically since Elizabeth Cady Stanton conceived of the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. Today, women can be found in such important jobs as doctor, lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, and Secretary of State. However, a pay gap still exists between women and men who do the same job. In addition, women are underrepresented in Congress and in the executive ranks of most large companies. The next wave of women’s rights may see these issues addressed, as well as the election of the first female President of the United States. Only time will tell.
• Civil Rights Activists: Biographies...The period 1954 – 1968 was a watershed era in United States history. Thanks to the efforts of civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Ella Baker, Rosa Parks, and Stokely Carmichael – as well as the hundreds of thousands of people who took to the streets in support of the Movement – Americans were forced to confront not only society's views about race, equality, and freedom, but also their own personal prejudices and beliefs. The legacy of that momentous era continues to be with us as a nation today. Americans continue to push for progress, whether the issue is immigrants' rights or access for the disabled, inspired by the ideas and tactics of this earlier era. The voices of the Civil Rights Movement have not been silenced, despite the deaths of many of its leaders; they have carried through history and continue to be heard by millions even today.
The Vietnam Era
• Vietnam War...The 1968 Tet Offensive proved that North Vietnam was not on the verge of defeat, despite what some U.S. officials had been saying. Americans back home began to question the wisdom of risking half a million lives in the jungles of Vietnam. President Johnson was forced to reconsider the benefits and costs of war in Southeast Asia.
• Vietnam War II...Usually, American wars have definitive starting points. If not, there are precipitating reasons for the U.S. to become involved - for instance the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. However, in the case of the Vietnam War, there was really no fixed United States beginning. The U.S. entered the war a little bit at a time between 1950 and 1965. Though not a legal declaration, the Tonkin Gulf Resolution served as a functional declaration of war. In any case, there was no doubt that the United States was definitely at war. While many Americans supported the administration's claim that it was fighting to stop communism in Southeast Asia, most people didn't realize that this slowly escalating war would be responsible for splitting American society into two warring factions.
• Nixon and Watergate...This lesson reviews the events leading up to and immediately after President Nixon's resignation from office.
• Americans Protest the War...As the 1960s dawned, a series of events unfolded which would bring about profound transformations to American society. In the American South, the Civil Rights Movement began in earnest when four black college students sat down at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their peaceful protests inspired hundreds of thousands to take similar actions. Soon after, John F. Kennedy won the 1960 election; his inaugural address challenged Americans to “ask what you can do for your country.” The combination of Kennedy's ideas and the flourishing Civil Rights Movement motivated people – especially young people – to take active roles in American society and politics.
• Rock n Roll: American Youth Revolution...In the early 1950s, the postwar United States was enjoying an era of domesticity and economic prosperity. However, racial tensions and social unrest bubbled beneath the surface. Segregation was still a way of life. The nation had become more conservative and homogenized, and America's sheltered youth looked for something more dangerous and exciting they could call their own. They found it in a new form of music called Rock n' Roll. The most important thing about Rock n' Roll was the way in which it reflected the society and culture that created it. The social and political climate of the 50s and 60s became tied to Roc n' Roll. The musicians of both eras were signs of the times, and often shaped the culture of the people they sang to. The music became more varied and diverse as years passed, and rock stars became defining symbols of their generations.
Modern Times to the Present
• The Berlin Wall...1989 was an important year. Not only did the Berlin Wall fall, but revolutions and movements in other Eastern Europe countries threatened the very existence of the Soviet Union. One by one the states in the Eastern Bloc shook off their chains and became free of Soviet influences. By December 1991, the Soviet Union no longer existed. In its place stood fifteen separate nations. The collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was just one of many events that led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
• The Economy and Johnson's Great Society...Lyndon Johnson envisioned an economically strong America where the government helped ensure everyone received a fair share. His Great Society programs were aimed at doing just that. Some of them are still with us today.
• Inflation of the 1970's...During the 1970s, America had three presidents: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter. Each of these men encountered unique foreign and domestic challenges, but one particular issue faced them all: inflation. Inflation – the tendency for prices to rise – can have wide-reaching effects on a nation's economic health. If not properly controlled, it can lead to unemployment and recession. At various times throughout the 1970s, inflation cast its ugly shadow across America's economy. Prices rose, jobs evaporated. Those with jobs found that their earnings bought them less and less. All three presidents attempted to deal with the problem in their own way. None of them solved it completely. The shadow of inflation would not lift until the nation had advanced well into the 1980s.
• Women in the Work Place...The disastrous consequences of the Vietnam War and the uneven results engendered by Johnson's Great Society brought disillusionment and disappointment to center stage in American politics. In 1968, the American people cast their vote for Richard Nixon and political conservatives. An era of liberalism drew to a close and as conservativism began to triumph in American politics, groups within American culture worked for progressive change at the grassroots level. Enlightened by the freedom struggles in which they participated throughout the 1960s, American women decided they were no longer satisfied with their second-class status in society, and the “women's liberation” movement began in earnest.
• Reaganomics...Depending on whom you ask, Reaganomics either saved or sank the nation. Parts of the economy recovered well during Reagan's terms. But others say his deficit spending created problems for future generations. Scholars, politicians, and members of the media will likely continue to debate Reagan's economic legacy for years to come.
• The Nation Swings Right...When George Washington was elected the first president in 1788, no political parties existed in America. In fact, the U.S. Constitution says nothing about them. But during Washington's first term, disagreements over key issues led two of his key cabinet members – Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton – to split. Followers of Jefferson organized themselves into a party known as the Democratic-Republicans. Followers of Hamilton became known as the Federalists. Today, it's hard to imagine America without political parties. Although two main parties have most of the power, several others exist, displaying the wide range of political opinion found in America. In the past two decades, conservatives have taken increasingly greater control of the U.S. government. It began with Ronald Reagan's two presidential terms during the 1980s. It continued with the massive Republican victories in the Congressional elections of 1994. It endures today, with a Republican president and Congress setting the agenda for America.
• The Gulf War...The international atmosphere as the 1990s dawned was one of cautious hope. The Cold War was rolling towards its end, countries across Europe had welcomed democratic governments in a series of bloodless coups, and nations in South America were also reestablishing their freedoms. In one corner of the world, though, trouble was brewing. Saddam Hussein, dictator of Iraq since 1979, hoped to recoup financial losses accrued during the Iran-Iraq War by manipulating his neighbor, Kuwait, through demands of increased pricing of oil. When demands were rejected, Iraq responded by building up its troop levels along the Kuwaiti border.
Regions of the United States
• The Erie Canal...The Erie Canal, in the 1800s, was a modern marvel of sorts but above all it was a necessity to advance trade and travel between the eastern seaboard and the Great Lakes. Hoggees played important roles in the canal system. The canal system without a hoggee was literally like a ship without a sail.
• The Midwest...The Midwest with its vast farmland is also the supplier of most of this nation's dairy products. The land with its rich, fertile soil provides healthy grazing places for the cows which produce most of the milk and milk products that Americans consume. Providing nine essential nutrients, milk is an important part of a healthy diet. This makes milk and the Midwest important parts of American history and culture. America's heartland is also dairy land.
• The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927...“The Mississippi River remains what it always was—a kind of huge rope, no matter with what knots and frayings, tying the United States together. It is the Nile of the Western Hemisphere.” John Gunther Egypt has been considered to be the gift of the Nile. That being said, we could also say that the midwest and parts of the south are gifts of the Mississippi River. The presence of the river has aided the rich development of culture and history in every area it borders. Good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, the Mississippi River and all that it offers is America's geographic wonder! The Great Flood of 1927 happened over many months. Some floods can happen quickly and are called flashfloods. Today, engineers build levees and dams to help protect us from floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the organization that helps us when disaster strikes.
• The South: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 - Mississippi Virtual School Project...“The Mississippi River remains what it always was—a kind of huge rope, no matter with what knots and frayings, tying the United States together. It is the Nile of the Western Hemisphere.” John Gunther Egypt has been considered to be the gift of the Nile. That being said, we could also say that the midwest and parts of the south are gifts of the Mississippi River. The presence of the river has aided the rich development of culture and history in every area it borders. Good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, the Mississippi River and all that it offers is America's geographic wonder! The Great Flood of 1927 happened over many months. Some floods can happen quickly and are called flashfloods. Today, engineers build levees and dams to help protect us from floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the organization that helps us when disaster strikes.
• The Grand Canyon Journey...Thanks to the bravery of the Powell expedition, we now know a great deal about the Grand Canyon. It covers over 1,218,375 acres of land in northwestern Arizona. The Colorado River cuts through the Grand Canyon. In some places, the Grand Canyon is 4,000 feet deep! In fact, it is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 15 miles at its widest. Scientists love to study this area because of the variety of wildlife. If you visit today, you might see one of the 1,500 plants, 355 birds, 47 reptiles, or 17 types of fish living there! While you can whitewater raft down the Colorado River, tourists today hike down the canyon by foot or on a mule. The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world.
Texas History
• Geography of Texas...The vast area of land that Texas covers includes a diversity of landforms and a lively history that could not help but make our quest for material to do a play about the Geography of Texas successful! What other state can claim its own breed of cattle, its own onion, mountain climbing, spelunking, and surfing all within its borders? Texas has a wealthy cultural heritage combining influences of Native Americans, Mexicans, and Europeans from France, Spain, and Germany. Texas owes its unique shape to a long span of years, multiple treaties, and several conflicts. Historians, geologists, biologists and anyone else seeking an outdoor adventure can find a region of Texas that suits them. Perhaps one of the most important lessons we can learn about Texas is found in the state motto: friendship. The people of Texas can show kindness and generosity not only to human visitors, but also toward the vast array of plants, animals, and other non-organic features that occupy the 261,914 square miles of the Lone Star State.
• Native Americans of Texas...Taking the Native American chapter of Texas history as a whole is a challenging and exciting exercise. While many, sometimes conflicting, perspectives and understandings abound in analyzing the treatment and relationships between Europeans, Anglos and Native Americans, one thing that most everyone agrees upon is their importance in the story of Texas. Their lives, cultures and histories are forever entwined with that of the Texas and its great diversity of peoples and languages. Perhaps the best way to truly understand this portion of Texas’ history is to look at the state’s flag. It is composed of neither a single color nor a single shape. The different colors and shapes represent the multitude of differences in its peoples that have come together to share a common destiny, thus the lone star.
• Explorers...The state of Texas has an exciting history that extends back to the time of the Spanish Conquistadors. In the early years of the New World, Spain did not realize how much area the land covered, which resulted in some explorers reaching the Texas shore by accident. Alonzo de Pineda made an excellent map of the Gulf Coast from Florida to Mexico and Cabeza de Vaca brought valuable information about the lands north of Mexico back to Mexico City after wandering through present-day Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California for eight years. In the late 1600s, the Spanish used a network of Missions to get native people to establish colonies and practice Christianity. The Spanish built several mission sites in East Texas in order to protect New Spain from the French in the Louisiana Territory; however, the Spanish abandoned them due to the difficulties of fighting disease and hostile native tribes. The founders of the missions concentrated their efforts in San Antonio. The Spanish reduced their efforts to colonize Texas after purchasing the Louisana territory from France in 1762. In the early 1800s, immigrants from the United States showed an interest in Texas and Spain considered these Americans a threat. They did not have much time to deal with this threat because Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821. Colonization of Texas expanded under Mexican rule and eventually Texas would be a nation itself.
• Missions...The establishment of Spanish missions greatly influenced modern Texas culture. Many people in Texas today have an ancestry that is a combination of Native American and European heritage. The Europeans brought the Catholic Faith to the New World. They also taught Native Americans new trades such as carpentry and weaving. Missions included more than churches. Native Americans had the opportunity to live in one place and support themselves with farming and ranching, which was very different from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle of many tribes. Some Native American traditions blended with the European to create festivals like El Dia de Los Muertos. There were many advantages and disadvantages to establishing missions for both the Native Americans and the Europeans. Europeans carried diseases unknown to Native American immune systems, which brought many an early death. Poor water conditions around some missions led to large mosquito populations and malaria. The Spaniards who came to be missionaries took great risks since they did not always encounter friendly Native Americans. It is amazing to see how missions built over two hundred years ago created a lasting impact on the people of Texas.
• Spanish Colonization...The era of Spanish colonization was one of vigorous evangelization and even intrusion. The relationship between the Native Americans and the Spaniards was one that could be characterized by periods of fighting and sometimes equal periods of peace. While neither the Spaniards nor the Native Americans were willing to give up entirely, history shows that the land and the Native Americans who originally inhabited it did win out in the end. However, even though the Spaniards were not completely successful in taming the land and converting the Native Americans to Christianity, they did leave behind a legacy of bravery and determination. These were not the only legacies left behind by the Spanish after the era of colonization. Beautiful and well-built missions that outline the old routes and settlements from this historical period still stand today. Also, the practice of encomienda survived the Spanish attempt at colonization for decades. In all the era of Spanish colonization in Texas was just one part, and important one, in the tapestry that woven together creates the beautiful place that is Texas.
• American Colonization...Tensions between the Texas colonists and the Mexican government continued to grow throughout the late 1820s and early 1830s. In 1832, colonists placed their hope on new Mexican president, General Antonia Lopez de Santa Anna. However, in 1834, Santa Anna overthrew the Mexican constitution and established a dictatorship taking away all states’ rights. Angry at Santa Anna’s changes, the tensions between the colonists and General Santa Anna intensified. Less than fifteen years after Moses Austin petitioned the Spanish government for permission to establish an Anglo-American colony in Texas, Texas declared its independence and the fight for control over this territory began in earnest.
• Events Leading to the Revolution...Looking at this era in Texas History, the similarities between the events and individuals who comprised it to those found in the late 18th century during the American Revolutionary War is astounding. Astute leaders such as Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston utilized these similarities to the best of their advantage. However, little material support was to come from the United States. As the next unit will explore, Texas was going to have to fight for its independence on its own. While volunteers would trickle in from the United States on their own accord, that would be about the extent of the assistance. Even though Anglo settlers suffered privations and scarcity, along with attacks from Mexican soldiers and Native American warriors, the early battles discussed in this lesson show that the Texans were more than ready for the fight. This fierce determination and loyal individualism would become the hallmark characteristic of the Lone Star State.
• The Texas Revolution...While the end of the Texas Revolution marked the beginning of independence for Anglos living in Texas, it was not the end of the struggle. Santa Ana would try to recapture the lost territory for Mexico and his own ego. However, threats from south of the border were not the only challenges that Texas and Texans had to contend with. Internal problems of establishing a government, paying off debts, and organizing the Republic loomed large. Add to this the ever westward moving borders of the United States, along with restless tribes of Native Americans, and the mixture is perfect for chaos. However, the Texas Republic would lean on the dogged individualism and determination that won its independence to see it through the early years of nationhood.
• During the Civil War...The Civil War left an indelible mark on the history of Texas. Being the western-most state in the Confederacy gave Texas not only a strategic significance, but also an economic one in the War Between the States. Like most of the former Confederate states, the wounds from the War took a long time to heal. In some instances, the political and social scars of slavery lingered for almost a century until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Regardless of the opinion, the Civil War was not only a formative chapter in Texas’s history, but one that shaped the culture and politics of the state as well. Even with over one hundred and fifty years between our current perspective and the actual event, professional and armchair historians alike continue to debate the era.
• Texas after the Civil War
• The Republic of Texas and Statehood...The purchase of the Louisiana Territory gave people the opportunity to move west of the Mississippi River. As this happened, the interest in Texas increased. It was full of fertile land and had few inhabitants. Texas was part of Mexico and controlled by Spain. The residents were Native Americans and Spanish Mexicans. As the Spanish settled in the New World, they did not want to settle in Texas. This colony had no gold, no religious or political freedom, and as a Spanish colony the residents were expected to be Catholic. Stephen Austin was not opposed to any of this. In 1821, he led a group of settlers to Texas. Soon the American settlers out numbered the Native and Mexican settlers. Once this occurred, the Mexican government closed Texas to settlement. With an increase in conflict over Texas sovereignty, settlers in Texas decided to break free of Mexican rule.
• 20th Century Texas...The twentieth century was a time of great change for Texas. It was a century full of tragedies and triumphs. At the beginning of the century, the world watched as the city of Galveston raised itself above the dreadful floodwaters of the 1900 Hurricane to a prosperous rebirth. Many people with dreams of vast wealth flocked to Texas to steak a claim on the oil that gushed out of East Texas. The oil strike at Spindletop helped Texas create a more industrial economy as small towns grew up over vast agricultural areas. The twentieth century saw several booms and busts in Texas. Some towns grew rapidly around industries that capitalized on vast resources, only to disappear when those resources dwindled. The increases in industry due to oil strikes and railroads paved the way for new technologies, such as Jack Kilby’s integrated circuit, which made Texas Instruments a leader in developing all the wonderful devices we enjoy using today. The future of Texas lies in its diversity. Perhaps the key to maintaining a strong economy is for the people of Texas to remember the lessons of diversity and equality from the Civil Rights activism of the 1960s. By maintaining a healthy respect for diversity both in the human population and the resources and types of industries available, the State of Texas can have a future full of successful centuries.
• History of Texas Government...From the time Mexico won independence from Spain, people who lived in Texas saw a need to ensure basic rights and limit the government. Texas won independence from Mexico using the same basic principles that people in America used to win independence from Britain and establish the United States. The Texas Constitution provides a balance of power by splitting the government into Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. These separate bodies cannot take action that will limit or interfere with the workings of another branch. By distributing the power, we have a peaceful environment where citizens can speak to people in the government such as their representatives, the attorney general, or a judge. The people of Texas play an important role in their government because they elect people to serve in all three branches of the state government. Texans not only need to monitor the actions of their elected officials; they should also keep track of how their state and local governments spend money. Each person who owns property or a business in Texas pays taxes to the county and the city. These taxes pay for services such as schools and hospitals. If people believe that a law made by the legislature unfairly distributes these funds, they can take the government to court using the judicial branch. The judge can then tell the Legislature that the law does not agree with the Texas Constitution and the Legislature will have to make a new law. If the Governor does not like the law he can refuse to sign it and the Legislature will have to go back to work. This balance of power means that no one part of the government has too much power, which makes it more likely that the government will work for the people. Perhaps the best way to learn about government is to be an active participant in the process of passing new laws. Researching ideas like the concept of school choice can help you, the citizen, form your own opinions. You can express those opinions to your representatives and senators. Government is not just hundreds of laws written on paper, but is people actively choosing what rules all citizens will follow while providing services that help those citizens. By learning about your state government, the past actions of that government, and how it works today, you are laying a foundation to be an active and important part of the State of Texas.
• Texas Government Today
• Texas Economy...The list of different kinds of jobs available in Texas is a very long one. Many different types of industries exist with a long and rich agricultural heritage. Texas trades many goods with other states and other nations, including petroleum, beef, and different chemicals. Many jobs in Texas are associated with the U.S. Government. Several aerospace companies manufacture airplanes for the military, and the control center for space shuttle flights is located at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Texas also offers many opportunities in the medical field; farmers need veterinarians for their livestock, and new biotechnology companies will need researchers. The large energy industry in Texas will face the challenges of providing energy to a large population without large amounts of pollution. Many energy companies are looking at Texas as a tremendous opportunity for developing wind and solar energy in order to reduce emissions. The great variety of agriculture and industry in Texas provides a large advantage to the education system. Many universities have a great variety of programs to train and educate people for better jobs. A state that has so many different types of jobs available has great potential for earning money and providing an outstanding living environment for its citizens.
• The Cattle Industry
• Texans Who Made an Impact...No matter your heritage, if you live in the state of Texas, you can find a shining example of a person from your state who strived to make things better for people all over the world. Sam Rayburn made a commitment to the people of his community to represent them fairly and honestly. Lyndon B. Johnson, Henry B. Gonzalez, and Juanita Jewel Shanks Craft were champions of civil rights. Annette Strauss raised millions of dollars in support of the arts, shelters for homeless people and other causes that improved the city of Dallas. Many of these adults strived to make things better not just for adults but also for children. Dr. Annie Webb Blanton founded an organization in order to insure that all students from elementary school to universities had qualified, knowledgeable professional women in their classrooms. If you want to learn more about people from Texas that made positive contributions to society, you can visit the Story of Texas Museum thanks to former Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock. Learning about these men and women who come from a variety of socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds can inspire and remind us that one person really can make positive changes on local, state-wide, national, and even international levels.
• Texas Culture...The distinctive culture of Texas continues to grow with the pioneering spirit of its founders. Some of the individuals discussed in this unit continue to add to this impressive legacy with their own unique visions and creations. While some have passed on, generations continue to explore and enjoy their creations that are as diverse and wild as the geography of Texas, itself. Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Texas’s culture is the fact that it defines any easy or usual categorization and characterization for the larger audience. In the end, the best way to describe this untamed spirit and frontier point of view is simply typically Texas.
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