Unit Overview: This unit will feature America's ever changing social, political and economic landscape from 1866 to 1900. We first explore Reconstruction and policies designed to limit African American rights. We then look to the West and learn about all the new players in the region such as cowboys, homesteaders, and miners. Incidents of Indian/white conflict are also examined such as Little Bighorn, and Wounded Knee. We round out the Unit and year by re-directing our attention back East to look at the ever-burgeoning industrialism of places like New York and Chicago, along with newly-arrived immigrant groups.

Big Questions:

1. How did the role of government in the economy change in the late 19th century?
2. Who were the perceived "winners" and "losers" in 19th century America and how are they portrayed in popular culture?
3. How did immigrants simultaneously challenge social norms while contributing to economic growth?
4. What economic factors allow for the success and failure of society?
5. What was the impact of government policies on various cultural groups in the American West?

Often-Used Resources:

• -Davidson, Stoff; The American Nation: Prentice Hall (2003)
• -Hakim; A History of Us, Reconstructing America; 1865-1890: Oxford Univ Press (2005)
• -Unites States History Atlas, Prentice Hall (2001)
• -Wilson, The Earth Shall Weep; Grove Press, New York (1996)
• -Ambrose, Crazy Horse and Custer, The Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors: Anchor books, New York (1975)
• -White, Its Your Misfortune and None of My Own, A New History of the American West, Oklahoma Univ Press, Norman (1993)
• -Brown, Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, Picador, New York (1970)