Unit+2+-+The+Changing+19th+Century+12-13

__Unit Overview__
This unit will examine the changing society in America during the late nineteenth century. We'll begin by looking at Antebellum America and how that paved the way for the Civil War and the subsequent reconstruction of America. We'll then shift our attention to the role that industrialization played in that society, looking at how the US advanced in terms of technology and economics, but also the costs that came with such rapid industrialization. We'll look at the role that immigration played in all of this (providing cheap labor, but also leading to xenophobia) and look at how they begin to push for rights, primarily through the use of labor unions at this point in time. Finally, we'll begin to examine how private individuals that public entities attempted to correct these problems through the Progressive Era.

__Key Questions__

 * Was the Civil War inevitable?
 * What factors caused the US to industrialize during the late nineteenth century?
 * What were the pros and cons to "big business" and how did labors respond to the perceived injustices that existed in the labor world during this time period?
 * What factors caused the "new immigrants" to emigrate to America during this time period? How was immigration both an asset and a challenge to American culture?
 * How effective was the federal government and private citizens in reforming America during the Progressive Era?

__Important Dates/Deadlines__
October 15th - Objective Test Corrections from Unit 1 are due. October 23rd - Essay Exam - Block C Only October 24th and 30th - Essay Exam - Block G Only (Note - Block G will have this exam split over two blocks due to having shortened classes on October 24th)

__Class #1 - Antebellum America (Block C - Wed., Sept. 26th, Block G - Thurs., Sept. 27th)__
In this first class of the unit, we'll look at __why__ the Civil War took place. Many cite the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 as the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back," however, what else led to this bloody war? Was this war inevitable?

**Prior to class, you should:** 1. Relax - you just took a test!

**In-Class Activities:** 1. Words of Wisdom Discussion 2. Lecture: Antebellum America 3. Work on Test Corrections

**Resources for this class:**

__Class #2 - The Civil War and Reconstruction (Block C - Fri., Sept. 28th, Block G - Mon., Oct. 8th)__
We'll now shift our attention to the Civil War briefly and examine what factors caused the North to have a considerable advantage in the war, allowing them to win. We'll then look at how America put itself back together following the bloodiest event in its history.

**Prior to class, you should:** 1. Focus on your other classes. Once again, no homework for US History. You should be coming in to work on your corrections at some point during the next few weeks.

**In-Class Activities:** 1. Words of Wisdom Discussion 2. Lecture: The Civil War 3. Activity: Putting America Back Together 4. Lecture: Reconstruction


 * Resources for this class:**