COLONIZATION TO RECONSTRUCTION:
U.S. History Review

Provides a comprehensive review of colonization by England, Spain, France, and Holland. Other topics: impact of Europeans on native peoples, colonial life, American Revolution, Constitutional Convention, slavery, pre-Civil War America, North against South, and rebuilding the Union.

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COLONIAL ERA

Examines the development of the English colonial system, as well as social and cultural changes that occurred as settlement increased, including political, religious, scientific, and philosophical ideals. Also: events leading to the French and Indian War, and the American Revolution.

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AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Discusses underlying and direct causes of the American Revolution, including British policies toward the colonists. Explains major battles and campaigns, as well as the emergence of nationalism. Also: Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention.

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THE NEW NATION: Washington to John Quincy Adams

This presentation examines the major movements and events that occurred from 1789 to 1828 including the origin of political parties, relations with Native Americans, foreign affairs, wars, and westward expansion.

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FIRST INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IN AMERICA: 1790-1860

This presentation starts with a quick review of the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions in Britain in the 18th century. A discussion of early American inventors such as John Fitch and Oliver Evans leads to Samuel Slater and the beginnings of the American Industrial Revolution. The major inventions and inventors from the antebellum period including Cyrus McCormick, Samuel Colt, Eli Whitney, Samuel Morse, and many others are covered. The role of new transportation systems such as canals, steamboats and railroads and the creation of national markets is reviewed. The rise of early unionization attempts and use of child and women labor is also presented. Traces the development of the U.S. as a major industrial power by the middle of the 19th century.

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WESTWARD MOVEMENT

Spotlights the drive of Americans for territorial expansion. Topics include early exploration, mountain men, the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, expansion of agriculture, new technologies in transportation and communication, and the impact on native peoples.

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CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR

Examines the tensions that eventually led to armed conflict. Topics include sectional differences, slavery, agrarian versus manufacturing economies, territories seeking statehood, and the compromises that postponed war.

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CIVIL WAR

After a quick review of the causes of the war, the presentation traces military strategy on both sides, major battles, political and military leaders, and signal events in the struggle between the agrarian South and industrial North.

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RECONSTRUCTION

Starting with Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, the program compares and contrasts plans for Reconstruction and reports on notable failures and successes of the post-Civil War period.

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THE WEST: Miners, Ranchers, Farmers, and Native Americans

This PowerPoint delves into the closing of the western frontier by settlers and the impact upon the landscape, native peoples, and American culture. Explores the major components of the settling of the west including the mining, cattlemen's, and farmer's frontiers, transportation revolution, and the destruction of traditional Indian way of life.

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RISE OF INDUSTRIAL AMERICA
1865-1900

Investigates the development of the U.S. into a world economic power. Topics include inventions and innovations, demand for new products, industrial combinations and financiers (Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Morgan), competition, and government regulation.

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RESPONSE TO INDUSTRIALISM

Covers issues of American workers and what fueled the rise of organized labor during the late 19th century. Topics include early labor unions and their tactics, management's policies and resistance, farm policy and the role of the farmer, and government actions toward Native Americans.

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IMPERIALISM

Topics include the Age of Imperialism, Spanish American War and expansion in the South Pacific, Open Door, acquisition of the Panama Canal, presidential foreign policy plans including Theodore Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy, William Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy, and Woodrow Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy.

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IMMIGRATION & URBANIZATION

Explores the rise of American urban culture through the examination of the growth of cities linked by industry and trade, rise of political machines, different waves of immigration, the effects of new technology, and the rise of mass culture through advertising and Americanization.

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PROGRESSIVE ERA

Looks at individuals who advocated social, political, and economic reform in the early years of the 20th century. Among the topics covered are trust busting, regulation of big business, child labor, urban poverty, the struggle for women’s suffrage, and measures to root out political corruption.

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WORLD WAR 1

Concentrates on how the war impacted ordinary Americans. Reviews the causes of the war and the fighting from 1914 to 1917. Explains why the United States entered the conflict. Also covers the anti-war movement and limits on civil liberties.

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1920S

Analyzes the major political, social, economic, technological, and cultural developments in the "Roaring Twenties," with a special emphasis on the Harlem Renaissance, Prohibition, evolving role of women, mass production, and new media.

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GREAT DEPRESSION and the NEW DEAL

Analyzes the major causes of the Great Depression and its effects on society. Traces the response to the crisis with an emphasis on the expanded role of the federal government in society and the economy with the New Deal policies.

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CAUSES OF WORLD WAR II

An investigation of the international climate that led to World War II including the Treaty of Versailles, varied national responses to economic crises, the rise of totalitarian regimes and their desire for territorial expansion, and the United States’ isolationism.

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WORLD WAR II

Begins with Hitler’s invasion of Poland in September 1939 and ends with the U.S.’s atomic bombing of Nagasaki in August 1945. Discusses military, diplomatic, and political events including an exploration of the homefronts, especially the role of women and minorities.

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U.S. Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy

Delves into the major events in the Cold War period including the Truman Doctrine, Berlin Blockade, creation of NATO, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Cuban missile crisis.

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U.S. Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Key foreign policy events from the Cold War are highlighted: Vietnam War, Middle East, Latin America, and the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.

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1950s

Explores post-WWII America with an emphasis on consumerism, conformity, McCarthyism, new technologies, and popular culture.

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CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

Examines key court cases in the development of civil rights and the legal strategies used to end school segregation. Highlights key figures, events, and legislation in the movement.

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1960s

Begins with Kennedy's election, and explores LBJ's war on poverty, the Vietnam War, the growth of the welfare state, the hippie counterculture, and the election of Nixon.

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VIETNAM

Traces Vietnam's history from struggles against French domination after World War II through American involvement starting in 1953 to the final withdrawal of U.S. troops 20 years later.

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Late History Overview:
1970s, 1980s, 1990s

Designed for teachers who need to cover material in a shorter time, the presentation offers a concise survey of the 20th century's concluding decades.

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