Unit Overview

This unit explores the transformative period in 19th-century American history, spanning from the Expansion Era to the Reform Era. Students will investigate the forces driving westward expansion, from Manifest Destiny to the social and economic consequences for Native Americans. The unit delves into the profound changes brought by industrialization and urbanization, examining the challenges faced by both rural and urban communities. Through an analysis of key reform movements, including abolitionism, women's suffrage, and labor reform, students will understand the societal shifts and evolving ideologies that characterized this era.

Essential Questions:

• What drove the expansion of the United States from coast to coast during the 19th century, and how did this shape the nation's identity?

• How did westward expansion impact Native American communities, and what were the consequences of government policies such as the Indian Removal Act?

• In what ways did industrialization and urbanization transform American society during the Expansion and Reform Era, and what were the social, economic, and political implications?

• What were the motivations and goals of key reform movements, including abolitionism, women's suffrage, and labor reform, and how did they contribute to societal change?

• How did the sectional tensions between the North and South lead to the outbreak of the Civil War, and what were the consequences of the war on the nation's unity and reconstruction efforts?

• What enduring challenges and achievements emerged during the Reconstruction Era, and how did they influence the trajectory of civil rights and equality in the United States?

• In what ways did the Gilded Age and Progressive Era address the social, economic, and political issues arising from industrialization, and what were the long-term impacts of these reform movements?

Enduring Understandings:

• Expansion: The westward expansion of the United States was driven by a combination of ideological beliefs such as Manifest Destiny, economic opportunities, and territorial acquisitions, shaping the nation's geographic and cultural landscape.

• Impact on Native Americans: The expansion had profound consequences for Native American communities, leading to forced relocations, cultural disruptions, and challenges to their traditional ways of life.

• Industrialization and Urbanization: The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in American society, leading to urbanization, technological advancements, and economic disparities that prompted various reform movements.

• Reform Movements: Abolitionism, women's suffrage, and labor reform were pivotal movements that aimed to address social injustices, promote equality, and reshape the nation's values and norms.

• Sectional Tensions and Civil War: The sectional tensions between the North and South, fueled by issues such as slavery and states' rights, culminated in the Civil War, profoundly impacting the nation's unity and identity.

• Reconstruction: The Reconstruction Era sought to rebuild the nation after the Civil War, addressing issues of civil rights and citizenship, but faced significant challenges and compromises.

• Gilded Age and Progressive Era: The Gilded Age witnessed economic growth alongside social and political corruption, while the Progressive Era emerged as a response to these challenges, striving for social justice, political reform, and the improvement of living conditions for all citizens.

Skills and Knowledge Objectives:

• Analytical Thinking:

  • Students will develop the ability to analyze primary sources, including documents, letters, and images, to gain insights into the perspectives of individuals from the Expansion to the Reform Era.

• Critical Evaluation:

  • Students will practice critically evaluating historical events, figures, and movements, considering their causes, consequences, and varying historical interpretations.

• Comparative Analysis:

  • Through comparative analysis, students will compare and contrast different reform movements, economic shifts, and societal changes to understand the complexity and interconnectedness of historical developments.

• Research Skills:

  • Students will hone their research skills by independently investigating key figures, events, and societal changes during the 19th century, using a variety of sources.

• Effective Communication:

  • Students will develop effective communication skills through class debates, presentations, and written assignments, articulating their understanding of historical events and their implications.

• Geographical Knowledge:

  • Students will acquire knowledge of the geographical expansion of the United States, understanding the acquisition of territories and the impact on the nation's borders.

• Understanding Government Policies:

  • Students will gain an understanding of government policies, such as the Indian Removal Act and the Reconstruction Plans, and their implications on Native American communities and post-Civil War rebuilding efforts.

• Economic Knowledge:

  • Students will grasp the economic transformations during the Industrial Revolution, the Gilded Age, and the Progressive Era, including the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and the resulting economic disparities.

• Historical Figures and Movements:

  • Students will become familiar with key historical figures, movements, and documents from the Expansion to Reform Era, including figures like Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, and the writings of the Federalist Papers.

• Chronological Understanding:

  • Students will develop a chronological understanding of major events, from westward expansion and the Civil War to the subsequent Reconstruction and the Progressive Era, identifying cause-and-effect relationships.