Essay Topics:

Essay Topic 1:

The New Nation (1789-1820) Identify, investigate, and assess the effectiveness of the institutions of the emerging republic.

           Objectives

1.01 Identify the major domestic issues and conflicts experienced by the nation during the Federalist Period.

1.02 Analyze the political freedoms available to the following groups prior to 1820: women, wage earners, landless farmers, American Indians, African Americans, and other ethnic groups.

1.03 Assess commercial and diplomatic relationships with Britain, France, and other nations.

Essay Topic 2:

Expansion and Reform (1801-1850) Assess the competing forces of expansionism, nationalism, and sectionalism.

Objectives

2.01 Analyze the effects of territorial expansion and the admission of new states to the Union.

2.02 Describe how the growth of nationalism and sectionalism were reflected in art, literature, and language.

2.03 Distinguish between the economic and social issues that led to sectionalism and nationalism.

2.04 Assess political events, issues, and personalities that contributed to sectionalism and nationalism.

2.05 Identify the major reform movements and evaluate their effectiveness.

2.06 Evaluate the role of religion in the debate over slavery and other social movements and issues.

 Essay Topic 3:

Crisis, Civil War, and Reconstruction (1848-1877) - Analyze the issues that led to the Civil War, the effects of the war, and the impact of Reconstruction on the nation.

Objectives

3.01 Trace the economic, social, and political events from the Mexican War to the outbreak of the Civil War.

3.02 Analyze and assess the causes of the Civil War.

3.03 Identify political and military turning points of the Civil War and assess their significance to the outcome of the conflict.

3.04 Analyze the political, economic, and social impact of Reconstruction on the nation and identify the reasons why Reconstruction came to an end.

3.05 Evaluate the degree to which the Civil War and Reconstruction proved to be a test of the supremacy of the national government.

Essay Topic 4:

The Great West and the Rise of the Debtor (1860s-1896) - Evaluate the great westward movement and assess the impact of the agricultural revolution on the nation.

Objectives

4.01 Compare and contrast the different groups of people who migrated to the West and describe the problems they experienced.

4.02 Evaluate the impact that settlement in the West had upon different groups of people and the environment.

4.03 Describe the causes and effects of the financial difficulties that plagued the American farmer and trace the rise and decline of Populism.

4.04 Describe innovations in agricultural technology and business practices and assess their impact on the West.

Essay Topic 5:

Becoming an Industrial Society (1877-1900) - Describe innovations in technology and business practices and assess their impact on economic, political, and social life in America.

Objectives

5.01 Evaluate the influence of immigration and rapid industrialization on urban life.

5.02 Explain how business and industrial leaders accumulated wealth and wielded political and economic power.

5.03 Assess the impact of labor unions on industry and the lives of workers.

5.04 Describe the changing role of government in economic and political affairs.

Essay Topic 6:

The emergence of the United States in World Affairs (1890-1914) - Analyze causes and effects of the United States emergence as a world power.

Objectives

6.01 Examine the factors that led to the United States taking an increasingly active role in world affairs.

6.02 Identify the areas of United States military, economic, and political involvement and influence.

6.03 Describe how the policies and actions of the United States government impacted the affairs of other countries.

Essay Topic 7:

The Progressive Movement in the United States (1890-1914) - Analyze the economic, political, and social reforms of the Progressive Period.

Objectives

7.01 Explain the conditions that led to the rise of Progressivism.

7.02 Analyze how different groups of Americans made economic and political gains in the Progressive Period.

7.03 Evaluate the effects of racial segregation on different regions and segments of the United States' society.

7.04 Examine the impact of technological changes on economic, social, and cultural life in the United States.

Essay Topic 8:

The Great War and Its Aftermath (1914-1930) - Analyze United States involvement in World War I and the war's influence on international affairs during the 1920's.

Objectives

8.01 Examine the reasons why the United States remained neutral at the beginning of World War I but later became involved.

8.02 Identify political and military turning points of the war and determine their significance to the outcome of the conflict.

8.03 Assess the political, economic, social, and cultural effects of the war on the United States and other nations.

Essay Topic 9:

Prosperity and Depression (1919-1939) - Explain the economic, social, and political changes of the decades of "The Twenties" and "The Thirties."

Objectives

9.01 Elaborate on the cycle of economic boom and bust in the 1920's and 1930's.

9.02 Analyze the extent of prosperity for different segments of society during this period.

9.03 Analyze the significance of social, intellectual, and technological changes of lifestyles in the United States.

9.04 Describe challenges to traditional practices in religion, race, and gender.

9.05 Assess the impact of New Deal reforms in enlarging the role of the federal government in American life.

Essay Topic 10:

World War II and the Beginning of the Cold War (1930s-1963) - Analyze United States involvement in World War II and the war's influence on international affairs in following decades.

Objectives

10.01 Elaborate on the causes of World War II and reasons for United States entry into the war.

10.02 Identify military, political, and diplomatic turning points of the war and determine their significance to the outcome and aftermath of the conflict.

10.03 Describe and analyze the effects of the war on American economic, social, political, and cultural life.

10.04 Elaborate on changes in the direction of foreign policy related to the beginnings of the Cold War.

10.05 Assess the role of organizations established to maintain peace and examine their continuing effectiveness.

Essay Topic 11:

Recovery, Prosperity, and Turmoil (1945-1980) - Trace economic, political, and social developments and assess their significance for the lives of Americans during this time period.

Objectives

11.01 Describe the effects of the Cold War on economic, political, and social life in America.

11.02 Trace major events of the Civil Rights Movement and evaluate its impact.

11.03 Identify major social movements including, but not limited to, those involving women, young people, and the environment, and evaluate the impact of these movements on the United States' society.

11.04 Identify the causes of United States' involvement in Vietnam and examine how this involvement affected society.

11.05 Examine the impact of technological innovations that have impacted American life.

11.06 Identify political events and the actions and reactions of the government officials and citizens, and assess the social and political consequences.

Essay Topic 12:

The United States since the Vietnam War (1973-present) - Identify and analyze trends in domestic and foreign affairs of the United States during this time period.

Objectives

12.01 Summarize significant events in foreign policy since the Vietnam War.

12.02 Evaluate the impact of recent constitutional amendments, court rulings, and federal legislation on United States' citizens.

12.03 Identify and assess the impact of economic, technological, and environmental changes in the United States.

12.04 Identify and assess the impact of social, political, and cultural changes in the United States.

12.05 Assess the impact of growing racial and ethnic diversity in American society.

12.06 Assess the impact of twenty-first century terrorist activity on American society.