The United States now has a range of influence that spans the globe. This emergence of power gained fullest expression in the 20th century. The touchstone events of war and worldwide economic depression, coupled with social movements based on the democratic ideals central to the United States Constitution, positioned the United States as a world superpower. With this power come questions about the role and responsibilities the United States can and should play in the world.
Standard V: Students will address the causes, consequences and implications of the emergence of the United States as a world power.
Objective 1: Describe the role of the United States during World War I, The Great Depression, and World War II.
Objective 2: Assess the impact of social and political movements in recent United States history.
Objective 3: Evaluate the role of the United States as a world power.
Standard V: Students will address the causes, consequences and implications of the emergence of the United States as a world power.
Objective 1: Describe the role of the United States during World War I, The Great Depression, and World War II.
- Review the impact of World War I on the United States.
- Summarize the consequences of the Great Depression on the United States (e.g. mass migration, the New Deal).
- Analyze how the United States’ involvement in World War II led to its emergence as a superpower.
Objective 2: Assess the impact of social and political movements in recent United States history.
- Identify major social movements of the 20th century (e.g. the women’s movement, the civil rights movement, child labor reforms).
- Identify leaders of social and political movements.
Objective 3: Evaluate the role of the United States as a world power.
- Assess differing points of view on the role of the US as a world power (e.g. influencing the spread of democracy, supporting the rule of law, advocating human rights, promoting environmental stewardship).
- Identify a current issue facing the world and propose a role the United States could play in being part of a solution (e.g. genocide, child labor, civil rights, education, public health, environmental protections, suffrage, and economic disparities).