Download APUSH Syllabus

AP US History – Course Pacing
Mrs. Becki Enders, Halifax High School
Purpose/Rationale of the Course:
AP US History depends upon the students to handle a rigorous format of
reading, analyzing, and writing. The vast majority of the evaluations will be done
via the essay format - the written word. It is vital that students be able to
interpret, analyze, and comprehend their thoughts via the written word. All writing
prompts will reflect the AP essay format in nature. This is to prepare the students
for the “free response” portion of the AP examination.
The course will also include multiple choice questions that will reflect the
nature of the AP examination as well. The goal of the course is to make the student
confident in their ability to properly answer AP examination questions - as well as
be understood via the written word.
The AP Examination:
The AP US History examination is distributed in May of each year. The
exam is three hours and five minutes in length. There are two parts to the exam: a
55-minute multiple choice section; and a 130-minute free response section. The
free response section includes a mandatory 15-minute reading section.
The AP exam will be given this year on Friday, May 8. Students are required
to take the examination. The cost of the exam this year will be between $85 and
$95 and all payments must be given to the guidance office no later than
September 30.
Topic Outline/Competency Goals and
Objectives:
Historical Ideas and Reasoning
(First two weeks of school)
Objectives
Theme: Students will analyze the importance of studying history and the
development of historical reasoning.
1. Why learn history in the first place?
2. How history is interpreted - via the written word, music, film, media
3. Writing history - and how to write about history
4. How historical reasoning shapes our view of the world around us.
Content: Investigating why we believe what we believe. How we interpret the
world based on our ideals, society, and structure.
Competency Goal #1: Colonial America (1492-1754) The learner
will identify causes of European exploration and colonial settlement
and assess the structure of the European colonies. (2 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: Pre-Columbian Societies (Identify and evaluate what factors led
the early inhabitants to the Americas. Analyze the impact these inhabitants
had on the region.)
1. Early inhabitants of the Americas
2-5. American Indian Empires
-Mesoamerica
-the Southwest
-Mississippi Valley
6. American Indian cultures in North America (European contact)
Theme #2: Transatlantic Encounters and Columbia Beginnings (1492-1690)
(Identify and evaluate the causes of European exploration from the late 15th
to the early 17th century.)
7. First European contacts with Native Americans.
8. Spain’s Empire in North America
9. French colonization of Canada
10-12. English settlement of:
-New England
-Mid-Atlantic
-South
13. Servitude to Slavery in Chesapeake
14. Religious diversity in the colonies
15. Resistance to colonial authority:
-Bacon’s Rebellion
-the Glorious Revolution
-Pueblo Revolt
Theme #3: Colonial North America (1690-1754) (Analyze the social, economic,
and political effects of the British Empire on the American Colonies with
regard to the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.)
16. Population growth and immigration
17. Transatlantic trade
18. The 18th Century back country
19. Growth of plantation economies and slave societies
20. The Enlightenment and Great Awakening
21. Colonial governments and imperialism in the colonies.
Readings: Chapters 1-4 The American Pageant.
Competency Goal 2: The Revolutionary Era (1754-1783) The
learner will examine the causes for revolution, the course of the
war, and evaluate the results.
(1 week)
Objectives:
Theme: The American Revolutionary Era (1754-1789) (Examine the status of
European rivalries in the New World and the causes for revolution among the
American colonies. Assess how the new national and state governments were
formed and their effects on American society.)
22. The French and Indian War
23. The Imperial Crisis and resistance to Britain
24. The War for Independence
25. The Articles of Confederation
26. The federal Constitution
Readings: Chapters 5-8 The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #3: The New Nation (1783-1816) The learner
will identify, investigate, and assess the formation and
effectiveness of the institutions of the emerging republic.
(1 week)
Objectives:
Theme: The Early Republic (1789-1815) (Identify and evaluate the events and
compromises that led to the formation of a new government and differentiate
between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists viewpoints. Assess the major
foreign and domestic issues and conflicts experienced by the nation during this
period and evaluate their impact on the new nation.)
27. Washington & Hamilton = Federal Government
28. Federalists and Republicans
29. Education for women
30. The Second Great Awakening
31. Significance of the Jefferson presidency
32. Expansion into the trans-Appalachian West
33. Growth of slavery
34. Free black communities
35. The War of 1812
Readings: Chapters 9-11 The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #4: Nationalism, Sectionalism, and Reform
(1816-1848) The learner will analyze the competing forces of
nationalism and sectionalism and assess the effectiveness of the
emerging reform movements.
(1 week)
Objectives:
Theme: Transformation of the Economy and Society (Antebellum) (Examine the
reasons for the emergence of nationalism and sectionalism during this period.
Assess its impact on America. )
36. Transportation revolution
37. Creation of a national market economy
38. Industrialization
39. Changes in social and class structure
40. Immigration and Nativism
41. Planters, Yeoman, and slaves in the South
Readings: Chapters 14-15 The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #5: the Era of Expansion (1828-1848) The
learner will analyze the cause and effect of Jacksonian Democracy
and Manifest Destiny.
(2 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: The Transformation of Politics (Antebellum)(Examine the evolution
of the American economy during the first half of the 19th century and
identify key events, inventions, and ideas as well as determine their
significance.)
42. Second Party System
43-46. Federal authority:
-Judicial Federalism
-The Bank War
-Tariff Controversy
-States’ rights debates
47. Jacksonian democracy
Theme #2: Religion, Reform and Renaissance (Antebellum) (Evaluate the
extent to which the characterization of this time period as the era of the
common man is correct.)
48. Evangelical Protestant revivalism
49. Social Reforms
50. Transcendentalism & Utopia
51. Literary and artistic expressions
Theme #3: Territorial Expansion and Manifest Destiny (Analyze American
expansion through the major events of the time period such as the Texas
issue, Mexican War, and the Oregon controversy.)
52. Forced removal of American Indians
53. Western migration
54. Territorial acquisitions
55. The Mexican War
Readings: Chapters 12-13 & Chapter 17The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #6: Crisis, Civil War, and Reconstruction (18481877) The learner will analyze the issues that led to the Civil War,
the effects of the war, and the impact of Reconstruction on the
nation.
(3 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: The Crisis of the Union (Evaluate the role of compromise and crisis
in bringing about the American Civil War. Assess the impact of Abraham
Lincoln and the emergence of the Republican Party in relation to Civil War and
secession.)
56. Pro-and -Anti slavery arguments
57. Compromise of 1850 (popular sovereignty)
58. The Kansas-Nebraska Act
59. 1860 Election (secession)
Theme #2: The Civil War (Analyze the major, military , political, economic
and social events of the Civil War period and determine their impact on the
course of the war.)
60. Two societies at war.
61. Military strategies of both sides.
62. Role of African Americans (emancipation)
63. Effects of the war on the North & South
Theme #3: Reconstruction (Examine Reconstruction and assess its
effectiveness.)
64. Presidential and Radical Reconstruction
65. Southern State Governments
66. Role of African Americans in postwar
67. Compromise of 1877
68. Impact of Reconstruction
Readings: Chapter 16 & Chapters 18-22The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #7: The Great West, the New South, and the
Rise of the Debtor (1862-1896) The learner will evaluate the
great westward movement, the emergence of the New South, and
the impact of the agricultural revolution on the nation.
(1 week)
Objectives:
Theme: Origins of the New South (Examine the rise of The New South and
assess the changes and impact that this concept brought to the southern
economy and society.)
69. Reconfiguration of southern farming
70. Expansion in manufacturing
71. Jim Crow Laws
Readings: Chapter 26 The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #8: The Gilded Age (1877-1900) The learner will
describe and analyze how industrialization, immigration,
urbanization, political machines, and the new intellectual movements
impacted America.
(3 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: Development of the West in the late 19th Century (Evaluate the
impact of westward expansion on American Indians, the environment, and the
American economy.)
72. Expansion of the railroad system
73. The people of the West (homesteaders, Natives, ranchers)
74. Government policy toward Natives.
75. Gender, race and ethnicity in the West
76. Environmental impact of western settlements.
Theme #2: Industrial America in the late 19th Century (Contrast the Second
Industrial Revolution with the First Industrial Revolution and analyze the
contributions of industrial leaders and the following industries: Railroad, iron,
coal, electricity, steel, oil, and banking.)
77. Emerging corporate industry.
78. Technology development/impact on workers
79. Labor unions
80. National politics and impact on corporate power
81. Migration and Immigration
82. Social Darwinism
Theme #3: Urban Society in the late 19th Century (Describe the rise of
cities in the last half of the 19th century and analyze the problems and
reforms that resulted. Evaluate the intellectual and cultural movements of the
time and determine how they impacted American life and society.)
83. Urbanization
84. Political Machines and corruption
85. Cultural and Popular movements (entertainment)
Readings: Chapters 23-25 The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #9 & 10: The Progressive Movement and the
emergence of the United States in World Affairs (1865-1930) The
learner will analyze the economic, political, and social reforms of
the Progressive Period as well as the emergence of the United
States as an imperial power.
(3 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: Populism and Progressivism (Explain the origin and the goals of the
Progressive movement. Analyze the local and state reforms, including utility
socialism. Identify the three progressive presidents and the major actions
that they took during their terms.)
86. Origins of Progressive reform
87. Progressive Presidents (Teddy, Taft, Wilson)
88. Women’s roles in progressivism
89. Black America (urban migration and civil rights)
Theme #2: The Emergence of America as a World Power (Examine the factors
that led to the United States taking an increasingly active role in world
affairs. Analyze how American policy changed in the late 1800s and influenced
Asia, latin America, and the western hemisphere. Examine reasons for the
United States attempting to remain neutral as the Great War began and for
becoming involved later.)
90. American Imperialism
91. War in Europe
92. WWI at home
93. Treaty of Versailles
94. Society and economy in the postwar years.
Readings: Chapters 27-30 The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #11: The Roaring Twenties (1919-1929) The
learner will appraise the economic, social, and political changes of
the decade of the Twenties.
(1 week)
Objectives:
Theme: The New Era (1920s) (Analyze the causes of economic prosperity and
the rise of consumerism. Elaborate on the actions of the three Republican
presidents. Assess the importance and types of social change which occurred
during this time period.)
95. The economy
96. Republican decade (Harding, Coolidge & Hoover)
97. Modernism (culture)
98. Response to modernism (fundamentalism)
99. Struggle for equality (Af-Am & women)
Readings: Chapter 31The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #12: The Great Depression and the New Deal
(1929-1939) The learner will analyze the impact and influence of
the Great Depression and the New Deal on the political, economic,
and social aspects of America.
(1 week)
Objectives:
Theme: The Great Depression and the New Deal (Trace and elaborate on the
underlying causes of economic problems at the end of the 1920s. Analyze how
the Stock Market Crash sparked the beginning of the Great Depression.
Outline and evaluate the events and results, as well as the actions and
reactions of the New Deal.)
100. Causes of the Great Depression
101. The Hoover Administration
102. FDR’s New Deal
103. Labor and Unions
104. New Deal critics
105. American society & survival
Readings: Chapter 32The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #13: World War II (1930-1945) The learner will
trace the reemergence of the United States in world affairs,
including analyzing the causes and effects of the United States
involvement in World War II.
(2 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: WWII (Examine world events during the 1930s, rise of
totalitarian states, and the U.S. role to promote relationships with our
American neighbors. Identify the causes of World War II and trace the
events that led to the U.S. entry into the war.)
106. Rise of Fascism
107. Road to war - policy & Pearl Harbor
108. Multi front war strategy
109. U.S. global power in the Atomic Age.
Theme #2: The Home Front in WWII (Summarize the results of wartime
conferences, the impact of the war on U.S. domestic and foreign affairs, and
the rise of the United States as an international super power. Analyze the
impact of World War II on political, economic, and social life of the United
States.)
110. The economy
111. Urban migration
112. Women work
113. Civil Rights and Liberties
114. Regional development
115. Expansion of government power.
Readings: Chapters 34-35 The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #14: The Beginnings of the Cold War and the
1950s (1945-1960) The learner will assess the causes and effects
of the United States/Soviet Union tensions, the Civil Rights
Movement and the economic prosperity.
(2 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: The U.S. and the early Cold War (Analyze the changes in United
States foreign policy related to the tensions of the Cold War and assess the
role of organizations established to address them. )
116. Origins of the Cold War.
117. Truman and containment
118. Asia problem: China, Korea, Vietnam & Japan
119. Diplomatic strategies (Ike & JFK)
120. The Red Scare (McCarthyism)
121. Impact of the Cold War on society.
Theme #2: The 1950s (Evaluate the significance of domestic adjustments
during postwar prosperity and the consumer culture. Identify the major events
of the Civil Rights Movement and evaluate the role of landmark Supreme Court
cases.)
122. Modern civil rights
123. The “other” America
124. Suburbia & the Middle Class
125. Rebels and critics
126. Impact of changes (science, technology, medicine)
Readings: Chapters 36-37The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #15: The 1960s and 70s (1960-1979) The
learner will identify and analyze political, social, and economic
developments and foreign affairs during this time period.
(2 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: The 1960s (Describe major issues of social movements including
race, gender, economic and environmental problems and assess their impact on
the emergence of the counterculture.)
127. New Frontier & Great Society
128. Civil Rights
129. Cold War confrontations
130. Détente
131. The Counterculture & antiwar movement
Theme #2: Politics and Economics at the end of the 20th Century
(Characterize and identify the foreign policy of Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon
in relation to Cuba, Vietnam, China and the Soviet Union. Assess the changes
in domestic policy and society during this time period. )
132. 1968 - Silent Majority
133. Nixon’s America
134. Changes in the economy (energy, deindustrialization)
135. The Reagan revolution
136. End of the Cold War
Readings: Chapters 38-39The American Pageant.
Competency Goal #16: America since 1980 (1980 to the present)
The learner will evaluate trends in domestic and foreign affairs of
the United States during this time period.
(2 weeks)
Objectives:
Theme #1: Society and culture at the end of the 20th Century (Evaluate the
administrations of the modern Presidents. Explain the impact of new
technology on the economy and society.)
137. Demographic changes
138. Revolutions in technology & communication
139. Politics in a multicultural society
Theme #2: The U.S. in the post-Cold War world (Analyze the advancements
of various minorities in American society over the previous two decades.)
140. Globalization
141. Foreign policy
142. Domestic and foreign terrorism
143. Environmental issues in a global world
Readings: Chapters 40-42The American Pageant.
AP Examination Review
(2 weeks)
Objective
Theme: Students will prepare for the AP U.S. History examination - which
includes 55 multiple choice questions as well as short answer, free response
and DBQ.
Students will be assigned review material. Class time will be used in test
preparation (timed practice) as well as test-taking strategies.
“TV AP”
(Post-AP Test: 3 weeks)
Objective
Theme: Students will analyze the impact of film, media (both written and
visual), and internet/television on the psyche of the American people.
Content: We will analyze the different ways Americans have received information
over the decades of the 20th Century.
1. World War II - it begins.
2. Music and media of the 1960s.
3. Political films of the 20th Century.
4. Rise of the internet age.
5. 24-hour media
Course Evaluation
All procedures and weighting regarding quarter, semester, and final exam
grades will be followed as prescribed in the Halifax High School student handbook.
A rubric will be provided for group presentations as well as free-response and DBQ
answers.