Unit Lessons
Unit 1: August 8th - August 27th 2025
Upon conclusion of Unit 1, students should understand that:
European settlers brought economic, political, and social ideas and values with them that influenced the development of the three British colonial regions.
Economic, political, and social developments across North America and Carolina led to the eventual emergence of an American national identity.
Unit 2: August 28th - September 26th
Upon the conclusion of Unit 2, students should understand that:
The Carolina colony was composed of indigenous, immigrant, and enslaved populations. These populations contributed to distinct social and economic systems in the colony.
Geographic also contributed to the development of South Carolina’s economic system.
Carolinians believed in the British political ideas of rule of law, representative government, and self-government.
Unit 3:
Upon completion of Unit 3, students should understand that:
Political and economic developments resulted in colonists becoming uniquely American, leading to their desire to develop a new nation.
The founding generation of the United States of America drew on their experiences with British rule to create a government with shared powers between the states and federal government.
Unit 4:
Upon conclusion of Unit 4, Students should understand that:
Political and economic developments resulted in colonists becoming uniquely American, leading to their desire to develop a new nation.
The founding generation of the United States of America drew on their experiences with British rule to create a government with shared powers between the states and federal government.
Unit 5:
Upon conclusion of Unit 5, students should understand that:
As the nation expanded, regional differences were exacerbated creating sectionalism threatening South Carolina’s identity and American unity.
Experiences of marginalized groups such as African Americans, Native Americans and women, as the U.S. expanded westward and grappled with the development of new states, varied from the experience of the white male citizens.
Unit 6:
Upon conclusion of Unit 6, students should understand that:
The Southern dependence on imported goods, the industrial resources of the North and strategic military plans influenced the outcome of the war.
The passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865 - and subsequent Reconstruction amendments - expanded the vision of the Emancipation Proclamation, fulfilled some abolitionist goals, and demonstrated federal authority to arbitrate regional conflict.
Unit 7:
Upon conclusion of Unit 7, students should understand that:
During Reconstruction, African American experienced a period of diverse political representation, expanded educational opportunities, and protected rights.
The geography of the South allowed for southern states to continue relying on agriculture as a primary source of revenue.
South Carolina struggled to create a post Civil War identity
Following the Election of 1876 and the Compromise of 1877, led to the rise of hate groups and the disenfranchisement of African Americans.
Unit 8:
Upon conclusion of Unit 8, students should understand that:
The workforce shifted from enslaved people to a strict system of tenant farming and sharecropping.
South Carolina’s reliance on agriculture proved devastating during the early 20th century as a result of natural disasters and international competition.
Textile Mills and mill villages developed in the rural upstate shifting the economy from agricultural to the production of consumer goods.
The Progressive Era of the late nineteenth century was a response to challenges within the workplace and in the major growth cities.
The Progressive Era saw movements to promote the rights of women, temperance, immigrants, workers, and children changed the social landscape and enacted new social legislation
Unit 9:
Upon conclusion of Unit 9, students should understand that:
South Carolina’s contributions to the war effort included military service, the use of military bases, and participation in Homefront support (i.e. liberty gardens and rationing)
The World Wars impacted marginalized groups such as African American and women socially, economically, and culturally.
To help alleviate the effects of the Great Depression, the New Deal was implemented to stabilize the economy and provide temporary support to people experiencing the hardships of the economic depression.
Soldiers after WWII benefitted from the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, resulting in increased income and education levels throughout South Carolina.
Unit 10:
Upon conclusion of Unit 10, students should understand that:
Following WWII the economy of South Carolina began to diversify
African American continued to fight against segregation through legislation and the Modern Civil Rights Movement.
By the mid 1950’s the modern Civil Rights Movements emerged to dismantle Jim Crow Laws across the South.
Between 1948 and 1972, the shift in political platforms around civil rights resulted in South Carolinians changing their political party affiliation.
While South Carolina has consistently grown on the international stage, the state still faces challenges such as race relations, economic opportunities, and equal education.