UNIT ONE:  ESTABLISHING THE AMERICAN NATION

We will explore the roots of many of the themes and issues of American history. The interactions among the early settlers and the Native American populations demonstrate the clash of cultures that lasts for over 300 years in America.  The different experiences and the differing character of each colony should be examined to better understand the basis for disunity and conflict that develops first with the British and then among the various regions of colonial America. The historical issue of causation can be examined through a study of the political, social, and economic causes of the American Revolution. The connection between historical events and great people of the time can be researched for a writing assignment. American values and ideals can be looked at critically by discussing sections of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights, e.g., “all men are created equal,” “unalienable rights,” and “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Who were the framers of the Constitution really writing about? An examination of the difficulties in drafting and ratifying the Constitution can be introduced by looking at recent events in America. The election results of November 2000 give insight into the values and attitudes of the early framers of the Constitution and show how the Constitution is a living document that has been amended but not fundamentally changed since its acceptance. An understanding of the debate over the Virginia and New Jersey Plans and the resulting system of checks and balances gain an added dimension when developed from this last election and subsequent Court action. In Unit 1 students are introduced to many methods of historical inquiry. Students should be asked to formulate questions that guide reading and document analysis. The characteristics of primary and secondary sources should be discussed. Students should be able to develop an organizer for a focus of text materials. Conflicting points of view should be presented and criteria for detecting bias established.

Areas of study:

• Early English Colonies
• Colonial Life
• The Struggle for Empire (Britain vs. France)
• Growing Discontent with Colonial Rule
• The American Revolution
• The Constitution

Culminating Activity: Historical Profile and Commemorative Stamp

We will brainstorm a list of individuals who made a contribution during the eras of the Revolutionary War and the Framing of the Constitution.  After researching information about the assigned individual, you will design an American stamp to commemorate the contribution of the selected individual. The stamp should be submitted with a 250-word mini-essay that answers the question: “Why should this person be considered important to the founding of the nation and, therefore, deserving of recognition?”

American-History