United States History

Second Draft - updated 6/7/00

8th grade

1. The student examines and understands major ideas, eras, themes, developments, turning points, chronology, and cause-and-effect relationships in U.S. history.

• 1.1 Understands chronology by constructing time lines of major events
• 1.2 Analyzes and critiques major historical events in United States history
  • Exploration and discovery
  • Colonization
  • Revolutionary War
  • Creating a government
  • Western Movement
  • Civil War and Reconstruction
  • Industrial Revolution
• 1.3 Identifies and explains key ideas and turning points in United States history
  • Crusade Era through Renaissance
  • Western Civilization Expansion
  • Exploration and discovery
  • Colonization
  • Manifest Destiny
  • Declaration of Independence
  • Revolutionary War
  • Neutrality vs. Involvement
  • Economic collapse and reconstruction
• 1.4 Examines causal factors in United States history
  • Art
  • Literature
  • Music
  • Customs
  • Traditions
  • Philosophical ideas
  • Religious ideas

2. The student applies the methods of social science investigation to compare and contrast interpretations of historical events.

• 2.1 Uses primary and secondary sources to study United States history.
  • Key primary sources
  • Magna Carta
  • English Bill of Rights
  • John Locke's Social Contract
  • Declaration of Independence
  • United States Constitution and Bill of Rights
• 2.2 Obtains information from a variety of sources
  • Charts
  • Maps
  • Tables
  • Photographs
  • Interviews
• 2.3 Evaluates different interpretations of major events; interprets and synthesizes information; proposes alternative interpretations in relation to:
  • European Conquest and Colonization
  • Revolution
  • Western Expansion
  • Civil War and Reconstruction
  • Industrial Revolution

3. The student understands the origin and impact of ideas and technological developments on history and social change.

• 3.1 Investigates the origin and impact of ideas in United States history
  • Expansion
  • Democracy
  • Social contract
  • Capitalism
  • State's Rights
  • Equality
  • Multi-culturalism
• 3.2 Explains how ideas change over time
  • Rights of the individual
  • Private enterprise
  • Abolition
  • Social reform
• 3.3 Assesses the impact of ideas and technology on society and culture
  • Inventions
  • Transportation
  • Communication
  • Military
  • Industry