This document provides an overview of the key concepts and objectives that will be covered in a United States history course from early colonization through Reconstruction. The course will focus on understanding American culture and heritage through examining events like the American Revolution. Key concepts include enduring understandings, essential questions, political and economic factors, and self-determination. Major historical figures and events will be analyzed to help students answer the essential questions and grasp the enduring understandings about the development of American identity and government.

1. A study of the United States to 1877
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2. 1. You will need a sheet of paper and
a pen.
2. A word is going to be displayed on
the next slide.
3. Your task is to write as many words
or phrases that come to your mind
after you see the word.
Ready...
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3. © Plano ISD, Plano, TX

4. “America” evokes many images.
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5. These images are part of our cultural
identity as Americans.
Our cultural identity
is the connection we
have with what it
means to be an
American.
It is also the
commonalities and
connections we share
with other Americans.
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6. Ironically, what we have in common with
each other is that we are uncommon.
As Americans, we were founded on the
ideals of embracing and celebrating
differences and diversity.
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7. An American is not a Give me liberty,
full-blooded pedigree or give me death!
prize-winning show
dog.
An American is more
of a mutt that has the
influence of many
different kinds of
dogs.
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8. Our country was founded with a
confluence of cultures.
The point where several rivers merge is
called a confluence.
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9. American culture is
like a confluence of
several rivers.
These different
rivers-or people-
merge into one
country.
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10. We come from such different ancestry
and backgrounds and yet still embrace
the same...
freedoms. opportunity.
land. government.
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11. How is it that we are so diverse...
yet so united?
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12. To answer this
question and
understand
American culture,
we need to go
back about 350
years and analyze
why people would
get into a boat
and risk their lives
for a better life.
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13. We need to analyze the
reasons our Founding
Fathers were willing to
fight a seemingly
winless revolution.
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14. We need to
examine the
structure and
principles of the
government our
forefathers
created in the
Constitution.
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15. We need to look inside the minds of the
early presidents and understand the
decisions they made.
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16. We need to discover
the adventurous spirit
that pushed certain
individuals to get in a
covered wagon and
face the unknown in
the wild and wooly
west.
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17. We need to examine what would tear
our country apart and make brother
fight against brother.
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18. To understand modern-day America,
and to understand what it really means
to be an American, we must understand
our heritage.
Our goal this year is to learn about our
unique heritage by studying the following
units:
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19. Colonization
American Revolution
Forging a New Government
A Changing Nation
Civil War and Reconstruction
Geography Skills
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20. We will use a tool to help organize
information and focus on what is most
important.
This tool is called a...
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21. American French and Indian War Essential
Questions:
Revolution British taxation policies Boston Tea Party
“No taxation without representation!” 1776
1. In what ways were both
Declaration of Independence Common Sense the Americans and British
responsible for the
1st and 2nd Continental Congress Boston Massacre American Revolution?
unalienable rights
Minutemen 2. What political,
Thomas Jefferson Lexington and Concord economic, and social
factors led to the
Benjamin Franklin Trenton/ Princeton American Revolution?
George Washington
self-determination Yorktown
3. How did self-
Marquis de Lafayette determination impact the
Saratog
a outcome of the American
Cornwallis
Revolution?
revolution of ideas conflict and resolution Valley Forge
Paul Revere
Samuel Adams
Bunker Hill
Thomas Paine
Treaties of
Patrick Henry Paris (1763,
1783)
John Adams
A desire for self-
George III determination and/or political
This is a
and economic change is at
the core of most revolutions. Let’s look at
the megaspore
parts.
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22. American French and Indian War Essential
Questions:
Revolution British taxation policies Boston Tea Party
“No taxation without representation!” 1776
1. In what ways were both
Declaration of Independence Common Sense the Americans and British
responsible for the
1st and 2nd Continental Congress Boston Massacre American Revolution?
unalienable rights
Every unit has one or two Enduring and Concord Lexington Understandings and social
Minutemen 2. What political,
Thomas Jefferson economic,
(EU’s). These are the BIG ideas we want you to Revolution?
factors led to the
Benjamin Franklin Trenton/ Princeton American
remember.Washington
George
Everything we do is leading to one or more
self-determination Yorktown
3. How did self-
of the EU’s .
Marquis de Lafayette
Saratog
a
determination impact the
outcome of the American
Cornwallis
Revolution?
revolution of ideas conflict and resolution Valley Forge
Paul Revere
Samuel Adams
Bunker Hill
Thomas Paine
Treaties of
Patrick Henry Paris (1763,
1783)
John Adams
A desire for self-
George III determination and/or political
and economic change is at
the core of most revolutions.
© Plano ISD, Plano, TX

23. American French and Indian War Essential
Questions:
Revolution British taxation policies Boston Tea Party
“No taxation without representation!” 1776
1. In what ways were both
Declaration of Independence Common Sense the Americans and British
responsible for the
1st and 2nd Continental Congress Boston Massacre American Revolution?
unalienable rights
Minutemen 2. What political,
There are also 3 or 4 Essential
Thomas Jefferson Lexington and Concord economic, and social
factors led to the
Questions (EQs) in each unit.
Benjamin Franklin Trenton/ Princeton American Revolution?
George Washington
These will lead you to the
self-determination Yorktown
3. How did self-
Marquis de Lafayette determination impact the
Saratog
Enduring Understandings.
Cornwallis a outcome of the American
Revolution?
revolution of ideas Valley Forge
conflict and resolution
Paul Revere
Samuel Adams
Bunker Hill
Thomas Paine
Treaties of
Patrick Henry Paris (1763,
1783)
John Adams
A desire for self-
George III determination and/or political
and economic change is at
the core of most revolutions.
© Plano ISD, Plano, TX

24. American French and Indian War Essential
Questions:
Revolution British taxation policies Boston Tea Party
“No taxation without representation!” 1776
1. In what ways were both
Declaration of Independence Common Sense the Americans and British
responsible for the
1st and 2nd Continental Congress Boston Massacre American Revolution?
unalienable rights
Minutemen 2. What political,
Thomas Jefferson Lexington and Concord economic, and social
factors led to the
Benjamin Franklin Trenton/ Princeton American Revolution?
George Washington
self-determination Yorktown
3. How did self-
Marquis de Lafayette determination impact the
Saratog
a outcome of the American
Cornwallis
Revolution?
revolution of ideas conflict and resolution Valley Forge
Paul Revere
Samuel Adams
Bunker Hill
Thomas Paine
Treaties of
Patrick Henry Paris (1763,
1783)
The John Adams
information in Athe for self-
desire middle and outer circles
are the conceptsand economicand/or political that are the building
and details
George III determination
change is at
blocks to answering the Essential Questions and
the core of most revolutions.
grasping the Enduring Understandings.
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25. So be prepared for an active
year in U.S. history as we
celebrate our national heritage.
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