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American History
General Information:
Hour: 5th
Room: 105
Instructor: Mr. Jansonius
Required text: United States History: Reconstruction to the Present
Course Description:
This course offers an overview of American History since 1850. We will begin briefly with events up to the American Revolution, then spend most of our time since the coming of the Civil War, and cover major historical events through the present day. There are three themes that we deal with when we study history:
1. Causes: What caused _____ to happen?
2. Conduct: What actually occurred?
3. Consequences: What was gained or lost as a result of _____?
Course Objectives:
1. Students will know the causes, conduct, and consequences of the American Revolution.
2. Students will know the weaknesses found in our first government under the Articles of Confederation, and how these weaknesses were corrected with the Constitution.
3. Students will know why people from different parts of America had very different opinions on slavery, and why this resulted in the worst war in our history.
4. Students will know how life changed for African-Americans during and after Reconstruction.
5. Students will know why people settled in Kansas and how they had to adapt to the environment to survive.
6. Students will know why the labor movement of the late 19th century started.
7. Students will describe the spread of Progressive ideas and the successes/reforms that resulted.
8. Students will know why we were involved in a war with Spain in 1898 and how this made the U.S. a world power.
9. Students will know what events led to our participation in World War I.
10. Students will know what caused the Great Depression and how it affected Kansans.
11. Students will describe the impact of World War II in western Kansas through the use of interviews of area residents.
12. Students will know why the United Nations was created and what it has done to promote peace in the post-World War II era.
13. Students will know the origins of the Cold War.
14. Students will know how to apply the 14th and 15th Constitutional amendments to the Brown v. Topeka Board of Education court case.
15. Students will know the prolonged events that led to the various Civil Rights Acts of the 1960’s.
16. Students will explain the Korean and Vietnam Wars in relation to deterrence, as well as the problems these wars would cause to American society.
17. Students will explain the post Gulf War history of the Middle East in relation to U.S. foreign policy today.
18. Students will know that Russia is not the biggest threat to America today, and who is.
19. Students will know that technology has had a direct impact on historical events since the Bronze Age.
20. Students will know the value of the Bill of Rights towards maintaining a democratic society.
21. Students will compare various political/economic systems with ours throughout this course.
Method of Instruction:
This course will be taught through class discussion and with the use of the materials mentioned above. Students will be active participants in these teaching methods.