American History I - 7th Grade Social Studies

Below is an overview of what will be covered in 7th Grade American History I:

Unit 1: Native Americans, Early Encounters, and Colonial Development

This unit will be covered throughout the month of September and October

7.1 NATIVE AMERICANS1: The physical environment and natural resources of North America influenced the development of the first human settlements and the culture of Native Americans. Native American societies varied across North America. (Standards 1, 2)

Unit 2: The Road to Independence

This unit will be covered throughout the month of November

7.3 AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE: Growing tensions over political power and economic issues sparked a movement for independence from Great Britain. New York played a critical role in the course and outcome of the American Revolution.(Standards 1, 4, 5)

Unit 3: A New Nation: The U.S Constitution

This unit will be covered throughout the month of December

7.4 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION: The newly independent states faced political and economic struggles under the Articles of Confederation. These challenges resulted in a Constitutional Convention, a debate over ratification, and the eventual adoption of the Bill of Rights. (Standards 1, 5)

Unit 4: A Nation Grows: Expansion and Reform

This unit will be covered throughout the month of January, February and March

7.6 WESTWARD EXPANSION: Driven by political, cultural economic motives, the United States expanded its physical boundaries to the Pacific Ocean between 1800 and 1860. This settlement decimated and displaced Native Americans as the frontier was pushed westward. (Standards 1, 3)

Unit 5: A Nation Divided 

This unit will be covered throughout the month of April and May

7.8 A NATION DIVIDED: Westward expansion, the industrialization of the North, and the increase of slavery in the South contributed to the growth of sectionalism. Constitutional conflicts between advocates of States rights and supporters of federal power increased tensions in the nation; attempts to compromise ultimately failed to keep the nation together, leading to the Civil War. (Standards 1, 3, 4)

Unit 6: Reconstruction

This unit will be covered throughout the month of June

8.1 RECONSTRUCTION: Regional tensions following the Civil War complicated efforts to heal the nation and to redefine the status of African Americans. (Standards 1, 4, 5)