Grade 8 US History
For the month of December, our 8th grade students have been studying the Gilded Age and Progressive Reform. In their study, they learned about the many problems plaguing the political, social and economic systems in the United States and the progressive men and women who tried to fix them. As a progressive champion, Theodore Roosevelt took many steps reform certain aspects of American business by busting up companies that became too powerful and essential hurt the American economy. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton ignited the fire for the Women’s Rights Movement in 1848 at Seneca Falls, NY. Their ultimate goal was to achieve women’s suffrage and although they didn’t live to see it, the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 brought their dream alive.
We then shifted our focus to America’s age of expansionism, where we saw the United States gain overseas territory and become an imperialist nation.
With our status as imperialists now cemented in the world stage, starting in January, we will begin our study of the causes of World War I. Instead of heeding George Washington’s advice on practicing isolationism, our imperialist actions quickly brought us into the largest conflict the world had ever seen at the time. Our students will be learning how different nations came together to ally themselves against other nations to start the global conflict. The students will experience the inevitable horrors of a “modern” war and begin to understand how this war sets the stage for World War II.
Grade 7 US History
In January the 7th graders will undertake the study of a lesser known revolution in the United States called the “Revolution of 1800.” A revolution without violence, the Revolution of 1800 was the great change in the American political landscape. We will witness the decay of the Federalist Party and the emergence of Republican policy in the United States. Led by Thomas Jefferson, the United States implemented a “laissez faire” policy where Jefferson cut the size of the U.S. military and tried to get rid of all federal taxes, in an attempt to shrink the size of the US government. While not all of his policies were a success, Jefferson was able to change the political landscape of the United States for the next 2 decades.
During the month of February, we will see the rise of a new political party in the United States; one that will rival the Republicans on the national stage. With the election of Andrew Jackson, the Democratic Party will take hold of the United States and combat Republican policy. Andrew Jackson will work to greatly increase the powers of his executive office and will be a force to reckoned with as President.
During the same time, the Native Americans will experience further hardships as they are forced to relocate from their ancestral lands. The Indian Removal Act will see thousands of Native Americans forced from their homes onto reservations in the west. This removal will result in what we know as the “Trail of Tears,”because of the many Native American who died of hardship along the forced journey.
