A study of the United States to 1877

1. You will need a sheet of paper and a pen. 3. Your task is to write as many words or phrases that come to your mind after you see the word. 2. A word is going to be displayed on the next slide. Ready...

“America” evokes many images.

These images are part of our cultural identity as Americans. Our cultural identity is the connection we have with what it means to be an American. It is also the commonalities and connections we share with other Americans.

As Americans, we were founded on the ideals of embracing and celebrating differences and diversity. Ironically, what we have in common with each other is that we are uncommon.

As Americans, we were founded on the ideals of embracing and celebrating differences and diversity. Ironically, what we have in common with each other is that we are uncommon.

An American is not a full- blooded pedigree prize- winning show dog. An American is more of a mutt that has the influence of many different kinds of dogs. Give me liberty, or give me death! Give me liberty, or give me death!

Our country was founded with a confluence of cultures. The point where several rivers merge is called a confluence.

American culture is like a confluence of several rivers. These different rivers-or people- merge into one country.

freedoms. We come from such different ancestry and backgrounds and yet still embrace the same... opportunity. land. government.

How is it that we are so diverse... yet so united?

To answer this question and understand American culture, we need to go back about 350 years and analyze why people would get into a boat and risk their lives for a better life.

We need to analyze the reasons our Founding Fathers were willing to fight a seemingly winless revolution.

We need to examine the structure and principles of the government our forefathers created in the Constitution.

We need to look inside the minds of the early presidents and understand the decisions they made.

We need to discover the adventurous spirit that pushed certain individuals to get in a covered wagon and face the unknown in the wild and wooly west.

We need to examine what would tear our country apart and make brother fight against brother.

To understand modern-day America, and to understand what it really means to be an American, we must understand our heritage. Our goal this year is to learn about our unique heritage by studying the following units:

Forging a New Government Colonization American Revolution The New Republic An Expanding Nation Civil War and Reconstruction

We will use a tool to help organize information and focus on what is most important. This tool is called a...

American Revolution Essential Questions: 1. In what ways were both the Americans and British responsible for the American Revolution? “No taxation without representation!” Common Sense 2. What political, economic, and social factors led to the American Revolution? French and Indian War British taxation policies conflict and resolutionrevolution of ideas Saratoga Yorktown Lexington and Concord 1st and 2nd Continental Congress Treaties of Paris (1763, 1783) Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin George Washington Thomas Paine A desire for self-determination and/or political and economic change is at the core of most revolutions. George III Samuel Adams Marquis de Lafayette self-determination Declaration of Independence Boston Tea Party Minutemen John Adams Boston Massacre Cornwallis Paul Revere Valley Forge Trenton/ Princeton Bunker Hill Patrick Henry How did self- determination impact the outcome of the American Revolution? unalienable rights This is a Let’s look at the megaspore parts.

American Revolution Essential Questions: 1. In what ways were both the Americans and British responsible for the American Revolution? “No taxation without representation!” Common Sense 2. What political, economic, and social factors led to the American Revolution? French and Indian War British taxation policies conflict and resolutionrevolution of ideas Saratoga Yorktown Lexington and Concord 1st and 2nd Continental Congress Treaties of Paris (1763, 1783) Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin George Washington Thomas Paine A desire for self-determination and/or political and economic change is at the core of most revolutions. George III Samuel Adams Marquis de Lafayette self-determination Declaration of Independence Boston Tea Party Minutemen John Adams Boston Massacre Cornwallis Paul Revere Valley Forge Trenton/ Princeton Bunker Hill Patrick Henry How did self- determination impact the outcome of the American Revolution? unalienable rights Every unit has one or two Enduring Understandings (EU’s). These are the BIG ideas we want you to remember. Everything we do is leading to one or more of the EU’s.

American Revolution Essential Questions: 1. In what ways were both the Americans and British responsible for the American Revolution? “No taxation without representation!” Common Sense 2. What political, economic, and social factors led to the American Revolution? French and Indian War British taxation policies conflict and resolutionrevolution of ideas Saratoga Yorktown Lexington and Concord 1st and 2nd Continental Congress Treaties of Paris (1763, 1783) Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin George Washington Thomas Paine A desire for self-determination and/or political and economic change is at the core of most revolutions. George III Samuel Adams Marquis de Lafayette self-determination Declaration of Independence Boston Tea Party Minutemen John Adams Boston Massacre Cornwallis Paul Revere Valley Forge Trenton/ Princeton Bunker Hill Patrick Henry How did self- determination impact the outcome of the American Revolution? unalienable rights There are also 3 or 4 Essential Questions (EQs) in each unit. These will lead you to the Enduring Understandings.

American Revolution Essential Questions: 1. In what ways were both the Americans and British responsible for the American Revolution? “No taxation without representation!” Common Sense 2. What political, economic, and social factors led to the American Revolution? French and Indian War British taxation policies conflict and resolutionrevolution of ideas Saratoga Yorktown Lexington and Concord 1st and 2nd Continental Congress Treaties of Paris (1763, 1783) Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin George Washington Thomas Paine A desire for self-determination and/or political and economic change is at the core of most revolutions. George III Samuel Adams Marquis de Lafayette self-determination Declaration of Independence Boston Tea Party Minutemen John Adams Boston Massacre Cornwallis Paul Revere Valley Forge Trenton/ Princeton Bunker Hill Patrick Henry How did self- determination impact the outcome of the American Revolution? unalienable rights The information in the middle and outer circles are the concepts and details that are the building blocks to answering the Essential Questions and grasping the Enduring Understandings.

So be prepared for an active year in U.S. history as we celebrate our national heritage.