Learning Objective A: Explain the context in which America grew into its role as a world power.
Key Concepts:
KC-7.1: Growth expanded opportunity, while economic instability led to new efforts to reform U.S. society and its economic system.
KC-7.1.I: The United States continued its transition from a rural, agricultural economy to an urban, industrial economy led by large companies.
KC-7.1.II: The Progressive Era of the early 20th century saw Progressives responding to political corruption, economic instability, and social concerns by advocating for greater government action and political and social measures.
KC-7.1.III: During the 1930s, policymakers transformed the U.S. into a limited welfare state in response to mass unemployment and social upheavals of the Great Depression, redefining modern American liberalism.
7.2 Innovations in Communications and Technology
Key Concepts:
KC-7.2: Innovations in communications and technology contributed to the growth of mass culture, with significant changes occurring in migration patterns.
KC-7.2.I: Popular culture gained influence in U.S. society while debates increased concerning its effects on public values, morals, and national identity.
KC-7.2.II: Economic pressures, global events, and political developments caused variations in the numbers, sources, and experiences of migrants (both international and internal).
7.3 Global Conflicts and U.S. Power
Key Concepts:
KC-7.3: Participation in global conflicts increased U.S. international power and revitalized domestic debates over the nation’s global role.
KC-7.3.I: New U.S. territorial ambitions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries alongside heightened public debates about America’s global role.
KC-7.3.II: The aftermath of World War I intensified debates on national security and American interests.
KC-7.3.III: World War II transformed American society, elevating the U.S. into a position of global leadership after victory over Axis powers.
7.4 Imperialism: Debates
Thematic Focus: America in the World
Learning Objective B: Explain the similarities and differences in attitudes about the nation’s proper role in the world.
Key Concepts:
KC-7.3.I.A: Imperialists promoted economic opportunities, racial theories, competition with European empires, and the concept of a “closed” western frontier as justifications for expanding American culture and institutions globally.
KC-7.3.I.B: Anti-imperialists argued against overseas territorial expansion, citing principles of self-determination, racial theories, and a tradition of U.S. isolationism.
7.5 The Spanish-American War
Thematic Focus: America in the World
Learning Objective C: Explain the effects of the Spanish–American War.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.3.I.C: The war resulted in U.S. acquisition of Caribbean and Pacific island territories, increased involvement in Asia, and suppression of nationalism in the Philippines.
7.6 The Progressives
Thematic Focus: Politics and Power
Learning Objective D: Compare the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.1.II.A: Progressive journalists criticized political corruption, social injustice, and economic inequality, while many reformers sought social change among cities and immigrant populations.
KC-7.1.II.D: The Progressive movement was divided; some supported segregation while others ignored it. Disagreements emerged over government participation and immigration restrictions.
KC-7.1.II.B: National-level Progressives aimed for federal legislation to regulate the economy, expand democracy, and foster moral reform. Amendments regarding prohibition and women’s suffrage were key Progressive reforms.
7.7 World War I: Military and Diplomacy
Thematic Focus: America in the World
Learning Objective F: Explain the causes and consequences of U.S. involvement in World War I.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.3.II.A: Initial neutrality was abandoned following Woodrow Wilson’s advocacy for humanitarian and democratic principles.
KC-7.3.II.B: While American forces played a limited combat role, their entry significantly aided the Allies.
KC-7.3.II.C: Post-war, despite Wilson’s engagement, the Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles and refused to join the League of Nations.
7.8 World War I: Home Front
Thematic Focus: Migration and Settlement
Learning Objective G: Explain causes and effects of migration patterns over time.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.2.I.C: Restrictions on free speech grew during WWI due to fears of radicalism, leading to the Red Scare and hostility towards labor activism and immigrant cultures.
KC-7.2.II.A.i: European immigration peaked prior to WWI, with post-war nativist campaigns resulting in restrictive quotas, particularly impacting southern and eastern European immigrants.
KC-7.2.II.B.i: Increased labor demand in wartime prompted migrations to urban areas.
KC-7.2.II.C: The Great Migration saw African Americans move northward escaping racial violence and seeking economic opportunities, yet they still faced discrimination.
7.9 1920s: Innovations in Communication and Technology
Thematic Focus: Work, Exchange, and Technology
Learning Objective H: Explain causes and effects of innovations in communication and technology in the U.S.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.1.I.A: Technological advancements improved production of consumer goods, enhancing living standards and communication systems.
KC-7.2.I.A: Mass media forms, such as radio and cinema, promoted national culture and enhanced awareness of regional cultures.
7.10 The Great Depression
Thematic Focus: Work, Exchange, Technology
Learning Objective J: Explain causes of the Great Depression and its economic effects.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.1.I: Transition to an urban industrial economy was ongoing.
KC-7.1.I.C: Credit and market instability led to calls for enhanced financial regulation due to events like the Great Depression.
KC-7.1.III: During the 1930s, policymakers created a limited welfare state in response to unemployment and social upheaval, significantly affecting modern American liberalism.
7.11 The New Deal
Thematic Focus: Politics and Power
Learning Objective K: Explain impacts of the New Deal on American life over time.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.1.III.A: FDR’s New Deal aimed to counter the Great Depression through government intervention for relief, recovery, and reform.
KC-7.1.III.B: Radical groups pressured for more reform, while conservatives aimed to restrict the New Deal's reach.
KC-7.1.III.C: The New Deal may not have ended the Depression but established reforms, regulatory agencies, and political realignment favoring the Democratic Party.
7.12 Interwar Foreign Policy
Thematic Focus: America in the World
Learning Objective B: Explain attitudes towards the nation’s role globally.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.3.II.D: Post-WWI, the U.S. adopted a unilateral policy that maintained isolationism, balanced by international investments and treaties with limited military interventions.
KC-7.3.II.E: Despite concerns about fascism and totalitarianism, military action against aggression was largely resisted until the attack on Pearl Harbor.
7.13 World War II Mobilization
Thematic Focus: Social Structures
Learning Objective L: Explain societal transformations due to WWII participation.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.3.III.B: Mass mobilization revitalized the economy, supporting both military efforts and civilian industry during the war.
KC-7.3.III.C.i: Wartime mobilization offered socioeconomic advancements for women and minorities, fostering discussions on segregation and civil liberties.
KC-7.2.II.D: Migration from Mexico and other regions increased despite conflicting immigration policies.
7.14 World War II: Military
Thematic Focus: America in the World
Learning Objective M: Explain causes and outcomes of defeating Axis powers.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.3.III.A: Americans viewed WWII as a struggle for freedom against fascism, reinforced by awareness of wartime atrocities.
KC-7.3.III.C.ii: Military service also expanded socioeconomic opportunities for women and minorities, provoking debates surrounding segregation.
KC-7.3.III.D: The U.S. achieved victory through cooperation, technology, military effort, and controversial use of atomic bombs, raising moral questions.
7.15 Postwar Diplomacy
Thematic Focus: America in the World
Learning Objective N: Explain consequences of U.S. involvement in WWII.
Historical Developments:
KC-7.3.III.E: The war left Europe and Asia devastated, yet the U.S., as a leading force in victory, emerged as the preeminent global power.
7.16 Comparison in Period 7
Learning Objective O: Compare significance of major events shaping American identity.