Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District

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1 Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District Jr./Sr. High School Name of Course: United States History III Grade Level: Credit Course Persons Writing/Revising Curriculum: William Jordan Scott Austin *** Created School Year

2 Unit 1: Emergence of Modern America After WW2 Unit Rationale: Students should recognize how world events have lasting impact. Content: WW2 had lasting effects on the Essential Questions: political, economic and social climate How did the U.S. redefine its role in global affairs throughout the world. as a recognizable world power? How may specific individuals or groups of individuals shape governmental policy? How did the role of the American President change following WW2? How did factors from WW2 influence or change economic stability in the US and around the world? How did the change from an isolationist government before WW2 to a world power manifest itself? What factors were considered in the creation of the U.N? How did the Marshall Plan help prevent the spread of communism? Scientific and technological advances from WW2 Students will recognize the change in social, had a significant effect on life after the war. economic and political environments due to WWII. Domestic policies during WW2 regarding Students will identify the political power equality continued to present political structure being held in post war countries like challenges for the US. Russia, Japan, Germany, Italy and the Allied countries. The atrocities of WW2 changed the way human Identify and analyze American policies toward beings viewed themselves. minority groups during WW2 and determine the pros and cons of those policies. Ongoing conflict in the world changes how Write a thesis statement supported by evidence people view the role of government. regarding political issues. Students will describe the efforts of McCarthy to eliminate communist threats. Identify patterns of success and failure in domestic and international affairs. Key Terms: Communism, Containment, Military-Industrial Complex, Suburbanization,

3 Unit 2: The Cold War, Equality and the Fight For World Dominance Unit Rationale: American ideology changes and is defined in a variety of ways. Content: The cold war had global Essential Questions: implications on the social, political, and How did the US participation in the Korean economic structure and relationships of Conflict arise from Cold War tensions? world governments. How did technology play a part in political and social sentiment toward international relations? Why was the response of the Kennedy administration risky, and in what ways was it necessary? How did the Kennedy assassination change the US? How did the fear of communist influence change political ideology? How did the development of nuclear weapons change relations among governments? Post war policies and politics shaped the way the US and Soviet relationship developed. The development of the cold war affected politics in the US and challenged the social norms. The development of technology increased the drive for dominance across in the US. The Supreme Court can re-shape American society and how laws are reinforced. Liberal ideas found expression through court action addressing equality as well as Johnson s Great Society. Students will describe the role and impact of the US in the cold war era. Analyze how technology changed the political landscape on a national level. Describe the role technology played in changing and influencing social norms. Explain the implications and outcomes of the race into space by the US and Soviet governments. Key Terms: Baby Boomers, Space Race, Nuclear Option, Communism, Great Society,

4 Unit 3: Vietnam and Civic Unrest Unit Rationale: Even in a democratic government (a government of the people and by the people), issues test the constitutional validity of how its people are governed. Content: The conflicts in Vietnam and Essential Questions: southeast Asia test U.S. solidarity. Civil How were advances in equality due to the civil unrest due to issues like equality creates rights movement made? havoc in the homeland. What is the purpose of civil rights organizations? What is the response of the US government to civil unrest? How did the Plessy vs. Ferguson change views of minorities? What was the difference between segregation in the north compared to the south? What is cultural awareness? How has the balance of power shifted over the timeframe of the 60s? How has the relationship between the federal government and business impacted military Developments and anxieties over the Cold War changed US culture and led to divided beliefs in the role of government. Economic changes after the war has led to major consequences for US social and political culture. spending? Describe American involvement in the Vietnam war. Explain the reasons for peaceful protests and the government s response. Analyze writings of Martin Luther King and his arguments for equality. Analyze and explain major supreme court rulings regarding civil rights. Analyze and discuss how congress dealt with the Watergate scandal. Explain and describe the relationships between business, politicians and lobbyists. Key Terms: Discrimination, Silent Majority, Vietnamization, Détente, Watergate, Segregation, Peaceful Protests, Counter Culture, Iron Triangle, Feminism Close reads of notes, letters and documents regarding civil rights.

5 Unit 4: Carter to Present Unit Rationale: Students need to understand the unfolding story of American politics and how their world is shaped. The US has continued to debate and define its role as a nation and as a leader in the world. Content: Reaganomics and the Reagan administration s policies had lasting impact on the relationship between federal and state government. Immigration and migration of people has had huge impacts on shaping government. Economic growth is dependent upon governmental intervention at various levels. Religious tensions and historical context have led to conflicts in various locations across the world. Terrorism and threats from unfriendly nations has led to drastic changes in foreign policy. Conservative beliefs regarding traditional social values and small government were imbued throughout the 80s. Party lines are drawn over the right choices for economic development. Technological developments change the way citizens learn and view their government. Essential Questions: How did public sentiment from the Watergate scandal help or hurt in the election cycle of 1976? What events or actions led to the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan? What situations led to the creation/strengthening of the EPA? What caused the fall of the Soviet Union? How did the fall of the Soviet Union lead to a power vacuum? How did the economic policies of Reagan and Bush affect everyday Americans? How did America s dependence on oil impact its relationship with the middle east? How does the new access to unlimited information test civil rights? How has economic policies supported by the two main political parties impact real wages across social demographics? Students will analyze conflicting ideologies and actions regarding topics like gun control, abortion, and spending over the timeframe. Students will compare the economic policies of Reagan/Bush with those of Clinton. Students will compare and contrast the foreign policies of various presidents of the time period. Compare the economic beliefs of the Carter administration with those of the Reagan administration. Key Terms: Washington Outsider, Reaganomics, Checks and balances, Special Interests, Media Effect/Media Bias, Freedom of Speech, Immigration, Conservatism, Liberalism, EPA, Dot.com, Terrorism, Deregulation

Pen Argyl Area High School. Modern American History

Pen Argyl Area High School. Modern American History 1 Length of Course: Credits: Suggested Prerequisite: Pen Argyl Area High School Modern American History 18 Weeks One Half Credit United States History II or Advanced Placement United States History Course