GRADE 8 HISTORY

A Social Studies curriculum is being developed for the 2009-2010 school year to reflect the new Social Studies Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations recently released by the Michigan Department of Education.

CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION

Reconstruction

Students Will:

Compare the three main plans for Reconstruction.

Discuss the main features of the Radical Reconstruction.

Identify how Southern life changed.

Describe the decline and end of Reconstruction.

Examine the advantages and disadvantages of the New South.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL, URBAN, AND GLOBAL UNITED STATES

The Western Frontier

Students Will:

Describe how the discovery of Gold and Silver affected the development of the West.

Explain the relationship among the railroads, Ranchers, and Farmers.

Explain the conflict between Whites and Native Americans.

Summarize the plight of Farmers in the late 1800’s.

The Growth of Industry

Students Will:

Describe the ways railroad barons made their fortunes and changed the U.S. Economy.

List inventions and improvements.

Explain the rise of corporations and the benefits and problems.

Summarize the condition of workers and the birth of unions.

Urban Growth 1865 – 1914

Students Will:

Evaluate the impact of the old and new immigrants on society.

Analyze the positive and negative effects of city life.

Describe the changes in culture during the early 1900’s.

Progressive Era

Students Will:

Analyze the reforms in government and business.

Discuss the role of women.

Discuss the 3 Progressive Presidents and the reforms they made.

Contrast the era by looking at who was left out.

World War I

Students Will:

Discuss the factors that led to WWI and the early battles.

Explain how the U.S. moved to war.

Relate the active U.S. participation and the end of the war.

Recall step taken by civilians during the war.

Discuss the terms and out come of the Treaty of Versailles.

The Jazz Age

Students Will:

Discuss the antiforeigner and antiradical feeling.

Discuss the Harding presidency.

Summarize the changes and clash in cultures.

THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND WORLD WAR II

The Depression

Students Will:

Examine the causes and effects of the Depression.

Summarize the first 100days of the New Deal.

Describe how the Great Depression affected society.

Examine FDR’s seconded term.

World War II

Students Will:

Examine the world events before the war.

Identify the nations the Germany invaded.

Explain the events that lead the U.S. to war.

Explain the war in Europe and Pacific.

Examine the reasons for and causes for the Holocaust.

POST-WORLD WAR II UNITED STATES

The Cold War

Students Will:

Explain the changes in U.S. policy after WWII.

Discuss the Truman Presidency.

Interpret the events that lead to the Korean War.

Analyze McCarthyism and the fear of Communism.

The 1950’s

Students Will:

Examine the Presidency of Eisenhower.

Discuss the foreign policy of President Eisenhower.

Examine U.S. society in the 50’s.

AMERICA IN A NEW GLOBAL AGE

The 1960’s

Students Will:

Recall the key events of the Civil Rights Movement.

Discuss the Kennedy and Johnson Presidencies.

Examine the events that lead to the Vietnam War.

Look at how the war affected society at home.