US History II

US History II

American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it.”
– James Baldwin

“In the course of American history, great steps are taken by ordinary people, and ordinary people are not perfect.”
– Tommy Lee Jones

“We are not makers of History. We are made by History.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

   U.S. History II begins where U.S. History I (usually 8th Grade) should have left off – with the end of the American Civil War and Reconstruction. Thus, this year-long class for Juniors will study the rise of the United States as a Global Superpower, from the Turn of the Century and Industrial Revolution, through World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and the Modern War on Terrorism, stretching into Iraq, Afghanistan, and President Biden.

Of the many lessons that Cadets should glean from this course, foremost is this – We live in a global world, and the conflicts of their generation tie directly to those of the previous ones.

The Course is divided into the following units:
– Review / Themes of History
Unit 1Westward Ho! / Industrial Revolution / Spanish American War
Unit 2Progressive Reforms / WWI
Unit 3Roaring Twenties / Great Depression
Unit 4Rise of Dictators / WWII
Unit 5Cold War / Civil Rights Era / Korea & Vietnam
Unit 69/11 / War on Terror / Iraq, Afghanistan, and Beyond
Final Projects

A few key reminders:

  • CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM LINK FOR LIVE-STREAM CLASSES
  • A recording for the beginning of each class (TO INCLUDE THE JOURNAL QUESTION) will be posted.
    That recording WILL include entire lectures, activities, or projects, but NOT quizzes, tests, etc.
  • While lectures will be recorded and streamed, the PPT and PDF versions of each PPT is also available on the schedule.
  • Direct any questions to CPT Curtis at jcurtis@utahmilitaryacademy.org

IF YOU NEED ACCESS TO SEMESTER 1 (Terms 1 or 2) CLICK HERE!!!

Extra Credit Opportunity – Watching WWII Films

US HISTORY II – Spring 2023* (Terms 3 & 4) 

Dictators Crossword Puzzle (DUE Jan 19)

Tuesday, Jan 17Silent Film Viewing Party!

Thursday, Jan 19 – NOTES – Day 2 – Road to War

Friday, Jan 20QUIZ – Days 1 & 2 (Road to War / Rise of Dictators)

Tuesday, Jan 24Holocaust Handout (DUE Feb 1)

Thursday, Jan 26 – NOTES – Day 3 – War in Europe

Tuesday, Jan 31 – WWII Scavenger Hunt (DUE Feb 7)

Thursday, Feb 2 – NOTES – Day 4 – War in the Pacific

Friday, Feb 3 – Atomic Bomb Discussion (To Bomb or not to Bomb?)

Tuesday, Feb 7Study Guide – WWII (DUE Feb 14)

Thursday, Feb 9 – Jeopardy / Review for Test

Tuesday, Feb 14TEST – WWII / Extra Credit Article

Thursday, Feb 16 – NOTES – Day 1 – The End of WWII

Tuesday, Feb 21Space Race Activity

Thursday, Feb 23 – NOTES – Day 2 – Red Scare and Space Race

Friday, Feb 24 – Propaganda Cartoons

Tuesday, Feb 28QUIZ – Cold War Beginning and Red Scare

Thursday, Mar 2 – NOTES – Day 3 – Korea and Vietnam

Tuesday, Mar 7Protest Songs Handout (DUE Mar 10)

Thursday, Mar 9 – NOTES – Day 4 – The End of the USSR

Friday, Mar 10Study Guide – Cold War (DUE Mar 16)

Tuesday, Mar 14 – Jeopardy / Review for Test

Thursday, Mar 16TEST – Cold War / Extra Credit Article

Tuesday, Mar 21 – ACT Testing Day

Thursday, Mar 23 – NOTES – Day 1 – Protest and Civil Rights

End Term 3 (24 days)

Tuesday, Mar 28 – Protest Sign (DUE Apr 11)

Thursday, Mar 30 – NOTES – Day 2 – The Silicon Age

Spring Break Apr 4-8

Tuesday, Apr 11 – Quiz – Civil Rights and Silicon Age

Thursday, Apr 13 – NOTES – Day 3 – War on Terror

Friday, Apr 14 – Letter to the President (DUE Apr 20)

Tuesday, Apr 18 – NOTES – Day 4 – Obama Trump and Biden

Thursday, Apr 20 – Study Guide – Millennium (DUE Apr 27)

Tuesday, Apr 25 – Jeopardy / Review for Test

Thursday, Apr 27 – TEST – Millennium / Extra Credit Article

Friday, Apr 28 – Final Project Work (DUE May 9)

Tuesday, May 2 – Final Project Work (DUE May 9)

Thursday, May 4 – Final Project Work (DUE May 9)

Tuesday, May 9 – Final Project Presentations

Thursday, May 11 – Final Project Presentations

Friday, May 12 – Final Project Presentations

Tuesday, May 16 – Final Project Presentations

Thursday, May 18 – Final Project Presentations

Tuesday, May 23 – CPT Curtis 10 Rules for Life (Final Lesson)

Thursday, May 25 – Class Party (or Final Presentations for Procrastinators)

Friday, May 27 – Graduation / Last Day of School

End Term 4 / Semester 2 (19 days)

*SUBJECT TO CHANGE (Changes will be updated weekly on class website and Canvas)

Direct any questions to CPT Curtis at jcurtis@utahmilitaryacademy.org