8th Grade

Washington State History/20^th Century History 8

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana

Course Description:

First Semester:  Students in first semester Washington State History will study four main units:

1)     Geography:  What are the effects of the physical environment, location, and economics on the region?

2)     Contact of Cultures: Students will study the Native American groups in Washington, early European/American exploration of the Northwest, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the Fur Trade.

3)     Settling: Students will study the Missionary era, Oregon Trail and settlement of the Northwest, the Provisional Government, and the Indian Wars.

4)     Statehood: Students will study Washington’s steps to statehood, it’s governmental structure, and how it fits in with the Constitution.

Second semester: Students will study 20^th Century United States history.

1)     US becomes a world power: Spanish American War, Sinking of the Maine, Panama Canal

2)     Immigration: Steam Ships, Ellis Island, Population Growth

3)     World War I: Treaty of Versai, Influenza

4)     Progressive Era: Women’s Rights, Prohibition, Gangsters, Roaring 20s

5)     Great Depression: Stock Market Crash, Bread Lines, and the New Deal (Franklin and Eleanor)

6)     Holocaust: Anti Jewish Sentiment, Nazi Germany, Death Camps

7)     World War II: Nazi, Italian, and Japanese Invasions, Pearl Harbor, Internment camps, Invasion of Russia, Midway, Battle of London, Normandy, Total War.

8)     Cold War: Sputnik, Missiles of October, Berlin Wall

9)     Civil Rights: Segregation, Brown vs. Board of Education, Rosa Parks, School Integration, March of Washington, Martin Luther King, Civil Rights Act.

 Length:        Year

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