The United States began as a few fortune hunters and refugees, trying to start a new life alongside the Native Americans. A short time later, America was declaring its independence and beginning a tricky experiment in freedom, democracy and equality. Less than a century after that, the United States was at war with itself, and almost ceased to exist. The first year of U.S. History is action-packed! The year is organized into four units. The questions indicate our key topics of study in each unit.

• Native Americans:  Who lived in the Americas before the Europeans came?
• Exploration & Colonization:  Why did Europeans come to the Americas, and where did they settle?
• The Thirteen Colonies:  How did the original thirteen colonies develop and grow?
  

• The Road to  Revolution:  What led Americans to declare their independence?
• Americans Win Their Independence: How did  very few untrained soldiers beat the finest army in the world?
• The Constitution:  How does our government work?
  

• The First Presidents:  How did the first presidents begin to define America, and lay the foundations for future growth?
• Manifest Destiny:  Why did Americans go West?  How did westward expansion change the United States?

• Calls for Reform:  How did Americans begin to demand changes in their society?
• The Rise of Sectionalism:  How did sections of the country begin to develop in different ways?
• Causes of the Civil War:  What issues led to our nation's greatest crisis?
• The Civil War:  How did the Union win the Civil War?

But wait…there’s more! We’re also going to be developing that will prepare you for the 8^th Grade Social Studies Assessment, your future in high school and life in general.

In 7^th grade, our ultimate goal is to be able to understand, organize and present information effectively. Honing the skills below will enable us to do that.

• How to work with others and complete tasks
• How to solve problems with others
• How to present information effectively
• How to listen effectively
• How to be an active participant in your community