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Lesson Plans
The American Journey: A History of the United States ©2000
by David Goldfield, Carl Abbott, Virginia DeJohn Anderson, Jo Ann E. Argersinger, Peter H. Argersinger, William L. Barney, Robert M. Weir
Focus Lesson 25
Chapter 32: "Shaping a New America, Since 1965"
Chapter 33: "Searching for Stability in a Changing World, Since 1980"
AP* Course Description
- The United States since 1974
- The New Right and the conservative social agenda
- Ford and Rockefeller
- Carter
- Deregulation
- Energy and inflation
- Camp David accords
- Iranian hostage crisis
- Reagan
- Tax cuts and budget deficits
- Defense buildup
- New disarmament treaties
- Foreign crises: the Persian Gulf and Central America
- Society
- Old and new urban problems
- Asian and Hispanic immigrants
- Resurgent fundamentalism
- African Americans and local, state, and national politics
Key Components
- Instructor's Manual:
Chapter 32, pp. 218–223
Chapter 33, pp. 224–230 - Study Guide, Vol. II Since 1877:
Chapter 32, pp. 123–130
Chapter 33, pp. 131–139 - Test Item File:
Chapter 32, pp. 368–377
Chapter 33, pp. 378–387
Key Web Sites
Given the changing nature of the Internet, you may wish to preview these sites. Always check PHSchool.com for updated links to U.S. history sites.
Key Words and Terms
- affirmative action
- NAFTA
- Persian Gulf War
- Title IX
- glasnost
- Whitewater
- Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
- Silicon Valley
- IRAs
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- impeachment
Suggested Pacing
Allow two weeks for these two chapters. Students should be aware that while the AP* test will not ask any essay questions based on events since 1975 and only a few multiple-choice questions on this period, they still need to know the information to pass the course and to be well-informed citizens.
Test Strategy
Refer students to the glossary at the end of the textbook on pp. G-1 to G-24 as a study guide for the AP* exam. Suggest that students establish a reading schedule and incorporate the glossary into their review.
Key Concepts
Conservative politics
A major point that students should remember about the election of 1980 is the swing in the nation toward conservatism. Ronald Reagan was the first avowedly conservative politician to be elected President since Calvin Coolidge. Reagan came to power through a coalition of New Right and Christian fundamentalist groups with support from what came to be called Reagan Democrats.
Summing Up Student Understanding
Use the following questions either as essay prompts for a final exam or as review questions for a class discussion:
- What do you consider to be the most important event in U.S. history and why?
- What three historical characters would you invite to dinner and why?
- What is the biggest problem facing the United States today? How could this problem be solved?
- What advice would you give to the students who take this class next year?
- What was the most valuable/interesting thing you learned this year?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
You might also find these additional readings useful in developing students' background knowledge or for DBQ activities:
- American Issues: Vol. II Since 1865, edited by Unger and Tomes—Chapters 14, 15, 18, 19, and 20
- The Power of Words: Vol. II From 1865, edited by Breen—Chapters 13, 14, 15, and 16
- Constructing the American Past, Vol. II, edited by Gorn, Roberts, and Bilhartz—Chapter 14
- American Experiences: Vol. II From 1877, edited by Roberts and Olson (secondary source readings)—Part Seven