History+Benchmarks

__ **History Benchmarks** __ ***Benchmark SS8.1:** Students will demonstrate an understanding of the formation of the new nation including the process of writing the Constitution and understanding our form of government. SS8.1.1 Compare and contrast confederation and federation forms of government. SS8.1.2 Identify the main "framers" of our Constitution and cite their contributions. SS8.1.3 Distinguish between the responsibilities and powers of the three branches of U.S. government. SS8.1.4 Describe how checks and balances are used in the U.S. government.

***Benchmark SS8.2:** Students will demonstrate an understanding of the exploration and settlement of the Western frontier in the 1800s. SS8.2.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the Lewis and Clark expedition. SS8.2.2 Summarize the lifestyles and accomplishments of Mountain Men and apply this knowledge to a simulation of a rendezvous. SS8.2.3 Identify and describe the different modes of transportation that developed in the 1800s. SS8.2.4 Demonstrate knowledge of the Oregon Trail through readings and activities.

***Benchmark SS8.3:** Students will demonstrate an understanding of the struggle for civil liberties in the United States for Native Americans, African Americans, and women. SS8.3.1 Identify the civil liberties of people in the United States in the 1800s. SS8.3.2 Identify the civil liberties of Native Americans, African Americans, and women in the United States in the 1800s. SS8.3.3 Examine the contributions and accomplishments of prominent civil rights leaders in the 1800s. SS8.3.4 Design a presentation on civil rights and liberties in the United States.

***Benchmark SS8.4:** Students will analyze the major events of the Civil War and summarize the effects they had on the nation. SS8.4.1 Identify the pre-war issues and government policies that divided the nation. SS8.4.2 Compare and contrast the North and South concerning the following items: strengths and weaknesses, reasons for fighting, and prominent leaders. SS8.4.3 Describe the effect of the major battles of the Civil War and explain their impact. SS8.4.4 Explain how the United States had to reconstruct and rebuild the nation after the Civil War.

***Benchmark SS8.5:** Students will analyze and evaluate the impact of major historical events occurring in the late 1800's on the growth of the United States. SS8.5.1 Analyze the immigration policies of the late 1800s and compare to present day policies. SS8.5.2 Identify the major business tycoons (Morgan, Rockefeller, Carnegie) and their monopolies and evaluate their impact on the economy of the United States in the late 1800s. SS8.5.3 Demonstrate their knowledge of the following topics: workers and labor unions of the late 1800s, Spanish American War, great inventions of the late 1800s.