Grade: 11
Credit: One

During this one-year, chronologically organized course, students examine the political, economic, social, and cultural growth of the United States, including the role of Virginia in this growth. Students study major historical developments and their impact on contemporary society and the individual. Map and globe reading, critical thinking, writing, research and group process skills are refined. The chronology of the course is divided into eight units:

• Discovery and Colonization (To 1756)
• Establishing a Nation (1756-1789)
• Growth of the New Republic (1789-1850)
• Conflict and Expansion (1850-1896)
• The Rise of Modern America (1865-1920)
• Becoming a World Power (1914-1945)
• Redefining America (1945-1974)
• The United States in Today’s World (1974-Present)

The content of the course is based on both the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) for United States History and the following eight major themes: The Pursuit of the American Dream; The Evolution of Political Democracy; Economic Change; The Interaction of Diverse People, Cultures and Ideas; The Role of the United States in the World; The American Land; The Individual and the Community; and American Humanities.

Benchmark
Analyze reasons for European exploration and colonization.

1. Compare the motives for exploration and colonization by England, Spain, France and Holland. (11.1)
2. Discuss the effects of the "Columbian exchange" on Western Africa, the Americas and Western Europe. (11.1)
3. Compare colonial economic and labor systems in the British colonies. (11.1)

Benchmark
Compare the colonial development of Virginia with that of the other colonies.

1. Analyze colonization in terms of motivation of ethnic, religious, and other immigrants and their influences on settlement. (11.2)
2. Using primary and secondary sources, compare the social customs, arts, and religious beliefs of the New England, Middle and Southern colonies. (11.2, 11.17)
3. Examine the relationship between English colonists, Native Americans and Africans. (11.1)
4. Trace the growth of political institutions (indirect democracy, direct democracy, slavery...) and the evolution of religious freedom in the colonies. (11.2)
5. Analyze the impact of geographic feature and natural resources on the political, economic and social development of the colonies. (11.1, 11.15)

Benchmark
Analyze and explain events and ideas that are the foundation of the new nation.

1. Analyze ideas and motives which led to the colonists’ decision to declare their independence.(11.3)
2. Evaluate and analyze the importance of documents as reflections of traditional and revolutionary ideas. (11.3)
3. Evaluate social and cultural effects of the Revolution. (11.3)

Benchmark
Analyze and explain events and ideas of the Revolutionary and Constitutional Eras.

1. Analyze the colonial debate about separation from Britain. (11.3)
2. Identify key battles, strategic decisions, and individuals (including Virginians) who provided leadership in the Revolution. (11.3)
3. Identify the political effects of the Revolution. (11.3)
4. Evaluate the importance of new constitutions in Virginia and other states, the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Articles of Confederation to the United States. (11.4)
5. Discuss issues, policies and events affecting relations among existing and future states which led to the creation of and ratification of the United States Constitution. (11.4)
6. Analyze important debates at the Constitutional Convention, compromise in the struggle for ratification between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution and the leadership of James Madison and George Washington. (11.4)

Benchmark
Analyze the economic impact of the enforcement of British mercantile law which occurred with the end of salutary neglect and the economic effects of the Revolution.

1. Discuss causes and results of the French and Indian War that necessitated changes in British colonial policy. (11.3)
2. Evaluate economic causes of the Revolution. (11.3)
3. Evaluate the economic effects of the Revolution. (11.3)
4. Discuss the economic weakness of the Articles of Confederation and the attempts to strengthen them. (11.14)

Benchmark
Analyze reform movements and immigration during the period.

1. Trace the development of major reform movements (education, temperance, religion, abolition, mental health care, women’s rights...).
2. Describe the contributions of immigrants and individuals. (11.7)
3. Discuss the ethnic conflicts and discrimination which existed. (11.7)

Benchmark
Analyze the institutions and practices of government established during this period.

1. Describe the organization of the government under the new Constitution. (11.5)
2. Trace the development of political parties. (11.5)
3. Evaluate the impact of the Marshall Court in strengthening the national government. (11.5)
4. Compare Jefferson and Jacksonian democracy. (11.5)
5. Analyze the political consequences of territorial growth. (11.5,11.6)

Benchmark
Analyze the role of nationalism in economic growth.

1. Examine the role of economic and technological innovations in transforming society. (11.5)
2. Discuss the effect of trade, tariffs, taxation and trends in the national debt. (11.5)

Benchmark
Analyze the foreign policy of the United States.

1. Compare the foreign policy decisions of the early Presidents. (11.5)
2. Explain the causes and effects of the War of 1812. (11.5)
3. Analyze the impact of the Monroe Doctrine. (11.5)
4. Identify the rationale, methods and the consequences of territorial expansion. (11.5)

Benchmark
Analyze the role of nationalism in encouraging the territorial expansion.

1. Analyze major territorial issues facing the early Presidents and Congress.
2. Identify the rationale, methods and the consequences of the territorial expansion and Manifest Destiny and how it was influenced by the physical environment. (11.5,11.15)

Benchmark
Analyze the extent to which the American Dream was maintained or denied.

1. Trace the development of social customs which resulted in institutionalizing segregation. (11.6)
2. Discuss the influence of the West and the effect of the closing of the frontier on ideas and cultural developments.
3. Evaluate the response of Native Americans to westward expansion and Federal Indian policy.

Benchmark
Analyze the role of sectional disputes and the economic changes in the era of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

1. Describe significant elements of the Civil War. (11.6)
2. Evaluate events and issues which led to the Civil War. (11.6)
3. Compare and contrast the economic foundations of the early industrial North and the agrarian South. (11.6)
4. Evaluate the political consequences of the Civil War and Reconstruction. (11.6,11.17)
5. Evaluate the economic consequences of the Civil War and Reconstruction. (11.6)

Benchmark
Analyze the impact of geographic conditions on sectionalism and as pull factors of Western expansion.

1. Identify the role that geography played in the alignment of the North, South, and West during the Civil War. (11.6, 11.15)
2. Discuss the influence of the West and the effect of the closing of the frontier on American ideas and cultural developments.

Benchmark
Analyze the role of regional social tensions that led to the Civil War and the extent to which economic change resulted from Reconstruction.

1. Evaluate the social consequences of the Civil War and Reconstruction. (11.6)
2. Trace the development of social customs which resulted in the Federal institutionalization of the policy of segregation. (11.6)
3. Evaluate the response of Native Americans to westward expansion and Federal Indian policy.

Benchmark
Analyze the ways that cultural and economic change redefined American ideals.

1. Describe how immigration created new social patterns and conflicts.(11.7)
2. Evaluate how movements for social justice addressed problems created by industrialization, urbanization and political corruption. (11.7)
3. Describe the contributions of individuals and immigrant groups. (11.7)
4. Evaluate the immigration policy of the United States during this time period. (11.7)

Benchmark
Analyze the impact of industrialization and urbanization as causes of political, economic, and social changes.

1. Describe the impact of third parties on the American political system.
2. Evaluate Progressive Movement attempts to address the problems created by industrialization, urbanization and political corruption. (11.8)
3. Describe incentives for capitalism and free enterprise. (11.8)
4. Analyze governmental economic policies. (11.8)
5. Discuss the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the expansion of markets. (11.8)
6. Describe the impact of new inventions, industrial production methods, transportation and communication technologies. (11.8)
7. Describe the impact of immigration on the labor supply and the movement to organize labor. (11.8)
8. Describe the contributions of individuals and immigrant groups. (11.7)

Benchmark
Describe the territorial, diplomatic and military expansion of the United States.

1. Analyze governmental policies affecting world trade. (11.8)
2. Describe the impact of industrialization on American foreign policy. (11.8)
3. Summarize the debate over American and world imperialism. (11.8)

Benchmark
Explain the relationship between geography and historical trends. (11.15)

1. Compare regional patterns of agricultural and industrial development as they are related to natural resources, markets, and trade. (11.15)
2. Analyze the political, social, and economic implications of demographic changes. (11.15)

Benchmark
Analyze the impact of the World Wars on women, Blacks and other minorities.

1. Describe the relative social, political, and economic gains made by various segments of the population. (11.9, 11.11)
2. Describe the obstacles faced by minorities in their pursuit of the American Dream. (11.9, 11.11)
3. Recognize the 1920s as a decade of conflict between the more simple rural values of the 19th century and the more complex urban values of the 20th century.

Benchmark
Analyze the tensions which existed between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government.

1. Summarize the effectiveness of the system of checks and balances after World War I and during the New Deals. (11.10)

Benchmark
Students will analyze and explain the causes of the Great Depression along with the resulting New Deals and their effects.

1. Evaluate the important causes of the Great Depression.(11.10)

2. Describe the economic responses to the Great Depression. (11.10)

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the economic policies of the New Deals. (11.10)

4. Examine the extent to which the New Deals expanded the role of government in the economy. (11.10)

Benchmark
Analyze and examine the significance of both World War I and World War II.

1. Examine the underlying causes of World War I and II. (11.9, 11.11)
2. Discuss the reasons for U. S. intervention in the wars and the ways in which the wars expanded the diplomatic and military power of the United States. (11.9, 11.11)
3. Describe the international impact of involvement by the United States in the wars. (11.9, 11.11)
4. Identify the major participants, battles, and key strategic decisions of the wars. (11.9, 11.11)
5. Discuss the debates in Europe and the United States concerning military intervention and the failure of appeasement prior to World War II. (11.11)
6. Discuss the Holocaust and its impact. (11.11)

Benchmark
Analyze the effect of nation crises on individual freedoms.

1. Discuss the impact of mobilization for war on the home front. (11.11)
2. Trace the effect domestic problems had on the limitation of personal rights.
3. Recognize the 1920s as a decade of conflict between the more simple rural values of the 19th century and the more complex urban values of the 20th century.

Benchmark
Describe the efforts of individuals and groups to extend the American Dream.

1. Analyze the ideas present in Dr. Martin Luther King’s "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" and "I Have a Dream" Speech. (11.15)
2. Compare the grievances, demands and methods of women, Blacks, Native Americans, Latinos, and other groups in their pursuit of the American Dream. (11.13)
3. Describe the development of consumerism and its influence on society.
4. Trace the settlement and cultural patterns of various national and ethnic groups. (11.15)

Benchmark
Analyze domestic policy issues affecting American society.

1. Examine the role of the Supreme Court in extending civil rights. (11.13)
2. Examine the role of reapportionment cases and voting rights legislation on political representation and participation. (11.13)
3. Evaluate federal civil rights and voting rights developments in terms of affirmative action. (11.13)
4. Explain patterns of Supreme Court decisions and evaluate their impact. (11.14)
5. Compare the positions of the political parties and interest groups on major issues. (11.14)
6. Describe the tensions which existed between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government and their resulting changes. (11.13)

Benchmark
Trace the rise of the United States as a major economic power.

1. Describe the Post-War economy and its effects on the American consumer.
2. Compare conservative and liberal economic strategies. (11.14)
3. Analyze the economic implications of demographic changes. (11.15)
4. Describe the role of the federal government in providing economic opportunities.

Benchmark
Analyze and explain foreign policy and its impact during the Post-War era.

1. Compare and contrast the issues, methods and consequences of the foreign policy of the United States during the Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon Administrations. (11.12)
2. Examine the containment policy of the United States. (11.12)
3. Describe the challenges to the leadership role of the United States in the world. (11.12)
4. Examine the implications of the Cold War on national defense, individual freedoms and the development of the space program. (11.12)

Analyze how movements for racial, gender and social equality extended civil rights.

1. Examine the role of Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka (1954), key civil rights leaders and acts of civil disobedience in bringing about desegregation. (11.13)
2. Compare the grievances, demands and methods of women, Blacks, Native Americans, Latinos, and other groups in their pursuit of the American Dream. (11.13)

Benchmark
Examine what it means to be an American today and ways in which immigration and demographic changes have created new social patterns.

1. Discuss current opinions as to definitions of the American Dream.
2. Describe the impact of immigration and social living patterns. (11.14)

Benchmark
Analyze domestic policy issues in contemporary American society.

1. Explain patterns of Supreme Court decisions and evaluate their impact. (11.14)
2. Examine how the political landscape has changed. (11.14)
3. Compare the positions of the political parties and interest groups on major issues. (11.4)

Benchmark
Analyze economic and technological trends that are changing life.

1. Trace the development and effect of new technologies.
2. Discuss the implications of the changing role of the United States in the global economy.
3. Evaluate the influences of global economic alliances on the United States.

Benchmark
Evaluate the changing role of the United States within the world community.

1. Evaluate the influences of globally based alliances on the United States.
2. Discuss the interrelationship between the acquisition of natural resources and foreign policy in such regions as the Middle East, Asia and Africa. (11.12)
3. Discuss the impact of the collapse of Communism and the end of the Cold War on foreign policy. (11.12)

All students will take the Virginia Standards of Learning Test for United States History.

Last update: August 21, 1998