8th Grade - American History

Rising Tensions

American Revolution

Founding Documents (Americanism 4)

Early Republic

National Period

Westward Expansion

Civil War

Students will justify the causes of the American Revolution.

Students will identify causes and steps that led to the American Revolution and American independence.

Students will explain how the colonies created their government with the founding documents. 

Students will explain the early Republic years of the United States, from 1789-1815. 

Students will identify the impact of the early national period of the United States.

Students will distinguish the period of Westward Expansion from other time periods of American History.  

Students will analyze actions and decisions made by Americans that led to the Civil War using various sources. 

outline restrictive laws and taxes Great Britain placed on the colonies that led to revolution. (SS.8.2.4.b, SS.8.2.5.b)

examine the Boston Massacre, Lexington and Concord and identify actions and decisions made by influential leaders in the colonies that solidified the argument for claiming their independence. 

describe how the Boston Tea Party shows ways individuals can participate in politics. (SS.8.1.2.a, SS.8.1.2.d)

distinguish those factors that were instrumental in ensuring America’s independence.

analyze how significant battles and tactics affected the outcome of the war. (SS.8.4.2.a)

identify important people who affected the outcome of the American Revolution. (SS.8.1.2.b)

categorize the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. (SS.8.1.1.d, SS.8.2.4.c)

outline the key points of the Constitutional Convention. (SS.8.1.1.e)

identify the Articles in the Constitution and list the powers of the three branches. (SS.8.1.1.a)

identify key parts of the Bill of Rights. (SS.8.1.1.b)

identify key parts of the Constitution of the United States and Constitution of Nebraska. (SS.8.1.1.c)

compare and contrast the first political parties of the United States. (SS.8.1.1.f, SS.8.1.2.c)

analyze the development and effects of our growing nation. (SS.8.4.1.b)

explain the effect Jefferson's presidency had on the United States. (SS.8.4.4.b)

examine the work of Alexander Hamilton and his influence on the banking systems in the U.S. economy. (SS.8.2.2.b, SS.8.2.4.a)  

recognize how the United States establishes itself as an advancing World Power. 

analyze immigration and the social, economic, and cultural impact. (SS.8.4.1.a)

identify the effect of the Jackson Era and Jacksonian Democracy. (SS.8.1.2.e)

distinguish when each territory was acquired, where the territory was located, who the territory was acquired from, and how it was acquired. (SS.8.3.2.a, SS.8.3.2.c)

identify groups that settled the west during the 1800’s. (SS.8.2.2.a, SS.8.3.2.b)  

explain reasons why these groups settled the west, connecting the nation. (SS.8.3.2.a)  

describe the adversity settlers faced in the west. (SS.8.3.3.a, SS.8.3.3.b)  

explain the impact western settlement had on Native Americans. (SS.8.4.3.a, SS.8.4.3.b)  

explain how geography influences the way people live. (SS.8.4.5.a,SS.8.4.5.b, SS.8.4.5.c)  

compare and contrast the geography, economy, society, and transportation of the North and the South. (SS.8.2.5.a)  

analyze historical events that led to the Civil War. 

identify important people and groups who affected the outcome of the Civil War.  

identify specific forms of political propaganda that affected the outcome of the war. 

analyze the major components of the Civil War and distinguish those factors that were most influential to the outcome of the war including primary and secondary sources. (SS.8.4.2.b, SS.8.4.4.a)