Tennessee History

Social Studies Practices

Indigenous Peoples of Tennessee (c. 10,000-1,000 BC): Students will examine the indigenous peoples of Tennessee and the impact of European exploration on the region.

The Struggle for Tennessee’s Frontier (1600s-1700s): Students will discuss settlement in the Tennessee region, evaluate the effects of trade and migration on the region, and analyze Tennessee’s role in the American Revolution.

From Territory to Statehood (1784-1796): Students will identify reasonsfor the settlement of Tennessee, discuss conflicts between settlers and American Indians, and examine the process of Tennessee becoming a state.

Tennessee’s Coming of Age (1796-1812): Students will evaluate reasons for the growth of the three grand divisions of Tennessee, the lives of various populations found therein, and the role of Tennessee in the War of 1812.

Tennessee: A Time of Troubles (1860-1865): Students will examine the role of Tennessee and important Tennesseans during the Civil War.

Tennessee during Reconstruction (1865-1880): Students will analyze the impact of Reconstruction on Tennessee, including the effects on the population, rise of the Ku Klux Klan, efforts of the Freedmen’s Bureau, and writing of a new state constitution.

Tennessee in the New South (1880-1890s): Students will identify the changesin Tennessee post-Reconstruction.

Tennessee: Reform and War (1900-1945): Students will learn about the major events, people, and moments in Tennessee history in the first half of the 20th century and the effects they had on the state and the United States.

Tennessee in Modern Times (1945-present): Students will learn about Tennessee in modern times, including the significance of Tennesseans, key economic and social developments of Tennessee, and Tennessee’s entertainment and business industry.

Collect data and information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including:

Critically examine a primary or secondary source in order to:

Synthesize data from a variety of sources in order to:

Construct and communicate arguments by citing supporting evidence to:

Develop historical awareness by:

Develop geographic awareness by:

Describe the geographic features that make up the three grand divisions of Tennessee (i.e., East, Middle, and West).

Describe changes in life in the Tennessee region from the late ice age through the Archaic period.

Compare and contrast features of life in the Tennessee region during the Woodland and Mississippian periods.

Analyze the customs and traditions of American Indians present in the Tennessee region prior to European contact, including:

Describe the impact of European exploration in the Tennessee region, including the significance of Christopher Columbus, Hernando de Soto, and Juan Pardo.

Describe the influx of British and French settlers and fur traders in the Tennessee region and their impact on American Indian tribes.

Explain the conflict between the British, the French, and American Indians for land in the Tennessee region prior to the French and Indian War.

Describe the effects of migration into the Tennessee region, including the development of the Watauga and Cumberland Settlements.

Identify episodes of fighting that occurred in the Tennessee region during the American Revolution (e.g., Battle of Kings Mountain) and the effects of American victory on the area.

Identify reasons for the foundation and failure of the independent state of Franklin in 1784.

Analyze the effects of land speculation on settlement in the Southwest Territory (i.e., the Territory South of the River Ohio).

Describe the conflicts between early Tennessee settlers and American Indians.

Describe the events leading to Tennessee's achievement of statehood in 1796.

Describe major features of the Tennessee Constitution of 1796. (T.C.A. §49-6-1028)

Analyze the growth of Middle Tennessee in the early 1800sin power and influence, including the relocation of the capital.

Describe the trafficking of enslaved persons between the three grand divisions of Tennessee, the lives of free blacks and enslaved persons, and the role of Tennesseeans in the early abolition movement (e.g., Elihu Embree).

Describe aspects of farm life, work, religion, and community for families in the early 19th Century.

Describe the economy of Tennessee in the early 19th century.

Describe the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12 and the resulting effects on the land and culture of Tennessee.

Analyze the War of 1812’s impact on Tennessee, including:

Describe the significance of the Mississippi River, the Jackson Purchase, and the introduction of cotton in the rapid growth of Memphis and West Tennessee.

Explain the importance of transportation, technology, and geography in Tennessee’s growing involvement in the national economy after the War of 1812, including the significance of:

Describe the influences of Presidents Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk on American history.

Analyze the impact of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears on Tennessee.

Discuss the contributions of important figures during Tennessee’s “golden age,” including:

Identify the significance of the Tennessee Constitution of 1834. (T.C.A. §49-6-1028)

Describe the development of slavery in Tennessee from 1800 to 1860, including the distribution of enslaved persons and conflicting attitudes among the three grand divisions.

Discuss the importance of the Nashoba Community and Free Hill as settlements for formerly enslaved people.

Explain the causes of the Civil War and how geographic and political divisions impacted Tennessee’s secession.

Describe important Civil War battles in Tennessee by region, including:

Identify the influences of Tennesseans during the Civil War, including

Describe the importance of the Medal of Honor, its origins in Tennessee, and its continued legacy to present-day.

Explain the significance of the Sultana disaster.

Describe how the Civil War impacted various populations in Tennessee (e.g., African Americans, American Indians, and women).

Explain William Brownlow’s role in the development of Reconstruction.

Explain the impacts of impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.

Describe the rise, influence, and opposition of the Ku Klux Klan in Tennessee.

Explain the development and efforts of the Freedmen’s Bureau schools, including Fisk University.

Identify and describe the significance of of early elected black lawmakers and leaders (e.g., John W. Boyd, Sampson Keeble, and William Yardley).

Explain the development, legacy, and changes of the 1870 Tennessee Constitution. (T.C.A. § 49-6- 1028)

Describe the experiences of exodusters, including Benjamin “Pap” Singleton.

Explain developments in Tennessee’s farming during the late 19th century as a result of industrialization.

Describe the social, economic, and political changes to Tennessee in the post-Reconstruction era, and identify the laws put in place to exclude black lawmakers by 1890.

Discuss the impact of the yellow fever epidemic on Memphis.

Describe the events that led to the Coal Creek Wars in Anderson and the surrounding counties over the state of Tennessee’s decision to replace coal miners with prisoners.

Describe Tennessee’s Centennial Exposition, and explain itssignificance.

Analyze the effects of Jim Crow laws on Tennessee, including the efforts of advocates for African Americans:

Summarize the influence of and reactions to the temperance movement in Tennessee, including the murder of Senator Edward Carmack.

Describe Tennessee’s impact on the suffrage movement, including Harry Burn, Anne Dallas Dudley, and A.H. Roberts.

Explain Tennessee’s connection to World War I, including the impact of Alvin C. York and the Alcoa plant.

Identify Governor Austin Peay and hisinfluence on Tennessee’sinfrastructure and education.

Analyze how the Scopes Trial reflected societal tension between tradition and modernity.

Describe major developments in music in Tennessee during this era:

Analyze how the Great Depression and New Deal programs impacted Tennesseans, including:

Explain the impact Tennessee innovators had on the nation (e.g., David Crosthwait and Clarence Saunders).

Describe Tennessee’s contributions during World War II, including the impact of Camp Forrest, Camp Tyson, and Oak Ridge (e.g., Manhattan Project) as well as the influence of Tennesseans during the war (e.g., Cornelia Fort and Cordell Hull).

Describe major agricultural shiftsin Tennessee post-World War II and their impact economically and socially.

Analyze the significance of key Tennesseans on both state and national levels during the 1950s and 1960s, including:

Describe Tennessee’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, including:

Identify major Tennessee figuresinvolved in the Civil Rights Movement (e.g., Rev. James Lawson, Kelly Miller Smith). (T.C.A. § 49-6-1006)

Describe the purpose of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s presence in Memphis, the circumstances leading to his assassination, and the significance of the placement of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. (T.C.A. § 49-6-1006)

Discuss the development of rock ‘n’ roll music in Tennessee and its impact on the changing American culture, including the significance of Elvis Presley, Stax Records, and Sun Studio.

Describe cultural developments in Tennessee during the 1970s and 1980s, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, Music Row, Opryland, and the 1982 World’s Fair.

Identify the contributions of influential Tennesseans of the era, including:

Identify major attractions and events that fuel the tourism industry in Tennessee, including the impact of:

Discuss the impact of major businesses in Tennessee, for example:

Describe significant and/or unique products from Tennessee (e.g., Cracker Barrel, Goo Goo Cluster, Moon Pie, Mountain Dew, Jack Daniels/Uncle Nearest).

Printed materials

Graphic representations

Field observations/Landscape analysis

Artifacts

Media and technology sources

Oral History

Extract, summarize, and paraphrase significant ideas and relevant information

Discern differences between evidence and assertion

Recognize the significance of author’s purpose, point of view, and bias

Draw logical inferences and conclusions

Assess the strengths and limitations of arguments

Establish accuracy and validity by comparing sources to each other

Recognize disparities among multiple accounts

Frame appropriate questions for further investigation

Demonstrate and defend an understanding of ideas

Compare and contrast viewpoints

Illustrate cause and effect

Predict likely outcomes

Devise new outcomes or solutions

Engage in appropriate civic discourse

Recognizing how and why historical accounts change over time

Perceiving and presenting past events and issues as they might have been experienced by the people of the time, with historical empathy vs. present- mindedness

Evaluating how unique circumstances of time and place create context and contribute to action and reaction

Identifying patterns of continuity and change over time, making connections to the present

Analyzing and determining the use of diverse types of maps based on the origin, authority, structure, context, and validity

Using the geographic perspective to analyze relationships, patterns, and diffusion across space at multiple scales

Analyzing locations, conditions, and connections of places and using maps to investigate spatial associations among phenomena

Examining how geographers use regions and how perceptions of regions are fluid across time and space

Analyzing interaction between humans and the physical environment

Cherokee

Chickasaw

Creek

Iroquois

Shawnee

American Indian peoples

Andrew Jackson

Felix Grundy

Tennessee Volunteers

Cash crops(e.g., cotton, tobacco)

Natchez Trace

Road improvements

Steamboats

Telegraph

John Bell

Newton Cannon

William Carroll

David Crockett

Elihu Embree

Ephraim Foster

Sam Houston

Sequoyah

Hugh Lawson White

Sieges of Fort Henry

Fort Donelson

Battle of Shiloh

Knoxville Campaign

Chattanooga Campaign

Battle of Stones River

Fort Pillow Massacre

Battle of Franklin

Johnsonville Campaign

Battle of Nashville

Sam Davis

William Driver

David Farragut

Nathan Bedford Forrest

Isham Harris

Andrew Johnson

Sam Watkins

W.E.B. Du Bois

James Napier

Mary Church Terrell

Ida B. Wells-Barnett

Country Music (e.g., Grand Ole Opry, WSM, Carter family, Bristol Sessions)

Blues Music (e.g., W.C. Handy and Bessie Smith)

Agricultural Adjustment Act

Civilian Conservations Corps

Tennessee Valley Authority

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Frank Clement

Ed Crump

Al Gore, Sr.

Estes Kefauver

John Seigenthaler

Sit-ins

Diane Nash

John Lewis

Highlander Folk School

Tent City Movement of Fayette County

Columbia Race Riots

Scarboro 85 and the Clinton 12 (T.C.A. § 49-6-1006)

Lamar Alexander

Howard Baker

Al Gore, Jr.

Alex Haley

Dolly Parton

Wilma Rudolph

Pat Summitt

Fred Thompson

Oprah Winfrey

Bristol Motor Speedway

Pigeon Force (e.g., Gatlinburg)

Civil War sites

State and national parks

CMA Music Festival

Tennessee Aquarium

Graceland

National Civil Rights Museum

AutoZone

Nissan

Eastman

Toyota

FedEx

Volkswagen

HCA