United States: 1492-Present (Grades 5-8)

History Students examine the connections of their own environment with the past and develop an understanding of how people and events of the past and present influence what happens in the world.

Geography Students explore geographic relationships between physical, environmental characteristics and distinctive cultural features of their community, state, nation and world.

Civic Students learn that they are citizens of their community, nation and world and understand the contribution they make to be a responsible, engaged citizen.

Economic Students explore how people organized and use resources and depend on one another for the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services.

Discipleship Students understand the impact of Catholic faith on all aspects of the study of interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, past and present.

Historical Thinking and Skills

Colonization to Independence

A New Nation

Expansion

Civil War and Reconstruction

Post-Reconstruction

Spatial Thinking and Skills

Human Systems

Civic Participation and Skills

Roles and Systems of Government

Economic Decision Making and Skills

Production and Consumption

Markets

Financial Literacy

Evangelization

Social Justice

Living the Faith

Primary and secondary sources are used to examine events from multiple perspectives and to present and defend a position.

North America, originally inhabited by Native Americans, was explored and colonized by Europeans for economic and religious reasons.

Competition for control of territory and resources in North America led to conflicts among colonizing powers.

The practice of race-based slavery led to the forced migration of Africans to the American colonies. Their knowledge and traditions contributed to the development of those colonies and the United States. (CST 1)

The ideas of the Enlightenment and dissatisfaction with colonial rule led English colonists to write the Declaration of Independence and launch the American Revolution.

The outcome of the American Revolution was national independence and new political, social and economic relationships for the American people.

Problems arising under the Articles of Confederation led to debate over the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

Actions of early presidential administrations established a strong federal government, provided peaceful transitions of power and repelled a foreign invasion.

The United States added to its territory through treaties and purchases.

The United States added to its territory through treaties and purchases.

Disputes over the nature of federalism, complicated by economic developments in the United States, resulted in sectional issues, including slavery, which lead to the American Civil War. 

The Reconstruction period resulted in changes to the United States Constitution, an affirmation of federal authority and lingering social and political differences.

The political, economic, and cultural development of the Industrial United States during the period 1870 to 1900

The political, economic, and cultural development of the emergence of the modern United States during the period from 1897 to 1920. 

The political, economic, social and cultural development of the modern United States in prosperity and depression during the 1920’s to 1939.

The causes and course of the United States in World War II, 1939 to 1945, the effects of the war on United States society and culture, and the consequences for the United States involvement in world affairs.

The political, economic, social and cultural development of the United States during the period 1945 to 1960.

The political, economic, social, and cultural development of the United States during the period from 1960 to 1980.

The political, economic, social, and cultural development of the United States from 1980 to the present.

Modern and historical maps and other geographic tools are used to analyze how historic events are shaped by geography

The availability of natural resources contributed to the geographic and economic expansion of the United States, sometimes resulting in unintended environmental consequences.

The movement of people, products and ideas resulted in new patterns of settlement and land use that influenced the political and economic development of the United States.

cultural biases, stereotypes and prejudices had social, political and economic consequences for minority groups and the population as a whole.

Americans began to develop a common national identity among its diverse regional and cultural populations based on democratic ideals.

Participation in religious, social and civic groups can lead to the attainment of individual and public goals

Participation in religious, social and civic groups can lead to the attainment of individual and public goals

The United States Constitution established a federal system of government, a representative democracy and a framework with separation of powers and checks and balances. 

The United States constitution protects citizens’ rights by limiting the powers of government.

Choices made by individuals, businesses and governments have both present and future consequences.

The Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed the means of production as a result of improvements in technology, use of new power resources, the advent of interchangeable parts and the shift from craftwork to factory work.

Governments can impact markets by means of spending, regulations, taxes and trade barriers.

Globalization connects world economics and communities.

The effective management of one’s personal finances includes using basic banking services (i.e., savings accounts and checking accounts) and credit.

Catholicism in the world and United States.

The impact of Catholicism on society. (schools for immigrants and minorities)

The impact of Catholic social teachings on current laws and practices (i.e., right to life, immigration, capital punishment, the environment, dignity of workers, etc.)

The contributions of Catholics in the origins of the United States and contemporary society.