“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

U.S. HISTORY II – B Day Schedule – Fall 2025

Friday, Aug 15 – First Day of Classes – All Ten

Tuesday, Aug 19 – Classroom Orientation / Disclosure (DUE Aug 22)

Thursday, Aug 21 – NOTES – Themes of History

Friday, Aug 22 – Artifact “Show and Tell” / Quiz

Tuesday, Aug 26 – U.S. History I Assessment (DUE Aug 28)

Thursday, Aug 28 – Review U.S. History I Assessment

Tuesday, Sep 2 – NOTES – Day 1 – Expansion and Immigration

Thursday, Sep 4 – NOTES – Day 2 – Labor and Industry

Friday, Sep 5 – QUIZ – Expansion and Labor (DUE Sep 11)

Tuesday, Sep 9 – NOTES – Day 3 – The Gilded Age

Thursday, Sep 11 – Special 9/11 Lesson / Discussion

Tuesday, Sep 16 – Assembly Line Activity

Thursday, Sep 18 – NOTES – Day 4 – Spanish American War

Tuesday, Sep 23 – Yellow Journalism Assignment (DUE Sep 25)

Thursday, Sep 25 – Study Guide – Creating An Empire (DUE Sep 30)

Friday, Sep 26 – Finish Study Guide / Jeopardy / Review for Test

Tuesday, Sep 30 – TEST – Creating An Empire (Oct 7) / Extra Credit Article

Thursday, Oct 2 – NOTES – Day 1 – Causes of WWI

Tuesday, Oct 7 – NOTES – Day 2 – A New Type of Warfare

Thursday, Oct 9 – QUIZ – New War and WWI Changes (DUE Oct 10) MAJ Curtis gone

Friday, Oct 10 – Causes of WWI Crossword (DUE Oct 21)

Tuesday, Oct 14 – NOTES – Day 3 – War at Home and Abroad

Fall Break Oct 16-20

End Term 1 (21 days)

.

(DUE AT BEGINNING OF TERM – Causes of WWI Crossword)

Tuesday, Oct 21 – WWI Scavenger Hunt (DUE Oct 28) / Posters for Hunt

Thursday Oct 23 – NOTES – Day 4 – The End of WWI

Tuesday, Oct 28 – Study Guide – WWI (DUE Oct 31)

Thursday, Oct 30 – Jeopardy / Review For Test

Friday, Oct 31 – TEST – WWI (Nov 6) / Extra Credit Article

Tuesday, Nov 4 – NOTES – Day 1 – The Roaring Twenties

Thursday, Nov 6 – School Cancelled Due to Power Outage (CATCH UP ON WORK!)

Tuesday, Nov 11 – NOTES – Day 2 – Social Revolution

Thursday, Nov 13 – Quiz – Roaring Twenties / Social Revolution (DUE Nov 18)

Friday, Nov 14 – Silent Film Intro / Topic Choosing

Tuesday, Nov 18 – NOTES – Day 3 – The Great Depression

Thursday, Nov 20 – NOTES – Day 4 – The New Deal

Tuesday, Nov 25 – Study Guide – Jazz thru Depression (DUE Dec 4)

Thanksgiving Break Nov 25-29

Tuesday, Dec 2 – Jeopardy / Review For Test

Thursday, Dec 4 – TEST – Twenties Thru Depression (DUE Dec 4) / Extra Credit Article

Friday, Dec 5 – NOTES – Day 1 – The Rise of Dictators

Tuesday, Dec 9 – Dictators Crossword (DUE Dec 19)

Thursday, Dec 11 – Silent Film Handout (DUE Dec 18) / Silent Film Project (DUE Jan 8) / Topics and Groups

Tuesday, Dec 16 – Silent Film Handout (DUE Dec 18) / Silent Film Project (DUE Jan 8) / Topics and Groups

Thursday, Dec 18 – Silent Film Handout (DUE Dec 18) / Silent Film Project (DUE Jan 8) / Topics and Groups

Friday, Dec 19 – Christmas Truce of 1914 Song and Video

Winter Break Dec 23-Jan 6

End Term 2 / Semester 1 (21 days)

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

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