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.

LINK TO UTAH STATE CORE STANDARDS FOR THIS COURSE

The Course is divided into the following units:
– Review / Themes of History
– Unit 1 – Westward Ho! / Industrial Revolution / Spanish American War
– Unit 2 – Progressive Reforms / WWI
– Unit 3 – Roaring Twenties / Great Depression
– Unit 4 – Rise of Dictators / WWII
– Unit 5 – Cold War / Civil Rights Era / Korea & Vietnam
– Unit 6 – 9/11 / 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.
Your grade will be shown and accurate on Aspire, NOT Canvas! (Canvas and my website are mirrored schedule and links for assignments and notes)
Direct any questions to MAJ Curtis at jcurtis@utahmilitaryacademy.org

IF YOU NEED ACCESS TO FALL SEMESTER CALENDAR / ASSIGNMENTS CLICK HERE

U.S. HISTORY II – B Day Schedule – Spring 2026*

Tuesday, Jan 6 – Silent Film Project (DUE Jan 8) / Topics and Groups

Thursday, Jan 8 – FINISH SILENT FILM / SUBMIT!!!

Tuesday, Jan 13 – NOTES – Day 2 – Road to War

Thursday, Jan 15 – QUIZ – Road to War / Rise of Dictators (DUE Jan 22)

Friday, Jan 16 – WWII Scavenger Hunt (DUE Feb 3) / Poster for Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday, Jan 20 – Silent Film Viewing Party!

Thursday, Jan 22 – NOTES – Day 3 – War in Europe

Tuesday, Jan 27 – Holocaust Handout (DUE Jan 29)

Thursday, Jan 29 – NOTES – Day 4 – War in the Pacific

Friday, Jan 30 – Atomic Bomb Discussion (To Bomb or not to Bomb?)