WS/FCS

Unit Planning Organizer

Subject(s) Social Studies Conceptual Lenses
Grade/Course American History 2  Leadership
Unit of Study Unit 7: Conflict and Change in the United  Turning Point
States (4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2, 7.3, 8.4)  Change
Unit Title Conflict and Change in the United States  Equality
1960-1977
Pacing 11 days

Unit Overview

The seventh unit of American History 2 examines the foreign and domestic issues between 1960 and
1977 through the lenses of Leadership, Turning Points, Change, and Equality.

Camelot: The Kennedy Years

Although his time in office was short, President Kennedy had a great impact on domestic and foreign
policy in the United States. His push to reach a “New Frontier” paved the way for change. This
ambitious plan addressed a multitude of reform initiatives including civil rights, education, and
welfare. His presidency witnessed some of the most intense moments of the Cold War including the
Cuban Missile Crisis. Unfortunately, Kennedy would not see his visions become reality due to his
untimely assassination, which left the country in shock and disbelief.

Vietnam
Under President Johnson’s leadership, the United States involvement into Vietnam escalated. Using
the incident from the Gulf of Tonkin, President Johnson was able to get Congress to grant him the
ability to increase the use of military forces, including sending more troops, in Vietnam without
Congress declaring war. As a result, 500,000 young Americans were sent to fight in Vietnam. As
American involvement in Vietnam increased, American sentiment about the United States
involvement began to waiver and the trust in the U.S. Government diminished. Feeling the “war” in
Vietnam was unjust, demands for an end to the war, particularly among young Americans, swept
throughout the country. Feeling the scrutiny of the American public, President Johnson decided to not
run for reelection. Richard Nixon succeeded President Johnson in 1969.

President Nixon switched strategies in Vietnam hoping to put more of the responsibility of the fighting
in the hands of the South Vietnamese, while bringing home American troops. Despite his intent, the
“war” in Vietnam continued and American protests of the war became more intense. “The Pentagon
Papers” posted in The New York Times did not help the situation. These secret documents provided
evidence that over the years those in the White House had lied to the American people about certain
facts regarding Vietnam. In the end, the United States pulled out of Vietnam without successfully
eliminating the communist threat.

Change and Conflict in the Nation

From 1960-1970, the inequalities within the country were addressed with programs developed under
President Johnson’s “Great Society” and as a result of the Civil Rights Movement. These reforms
included many direct intervention programs, like Medicare, changes in immigration and voting, as well
as the Civil Rights Act.
Watergate
Ending America’s involvement in the Vietnam War was not the only obstacle President Nixon faced.
By 1973, the American economy had taken a hit and was in a recession. That same year, an oil
embargo created by the members of OPEC led to an oil crisis in the country. And in an effort to gain
insight into his re-election chances, Nixon supported the break-in to the Democratic Office at the
Watergate Hotel. This action led to Nixon becoming the only president to resign.

Unit Enduring Understanding(s) Unit Essential Question(s)

1. Leaders can modify the institutions of
government in response to the challenges of
their times.
2. Turning points are key moments that have
multiple causes and result in a significant
amount of change.
3. Citizens are able to change cultural norms to
gain equality.
1. How can leaders influence cultural change in
a nation?
2. How are turning points different from other
significant events in a nation’s history?
3. How can citizens foster change to gain
equality?

Essential State Standards

Priority Objectives Supporting Objectives

AH2.H.4.1 Analyze the political issues and AH2.H.4.2 Analyze the economic issues and
conflicts that impacted the United States since conflicts that impacted the United States since
Reconstruction and the compromises that Reconstruction and the compromises that
resulted. resulted.

AH2.H.4.3 Analyze the social and religious AH2.H.6.1 Explain how national economic and
conflicts, movements and reforms that impacted political interests helped set the direction of
the United States since Reconstruction in terms of United States foreign policy since
participants, strategies, opposition, and results. Reconstruction.

AH2.H.5.1 Summarize how the philosophical,
ideological and/or religious views on freedom and
equality contributed to the development of
American political and economic systems since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.5.2 Explain how judicial, legislative and
USH2.H.7.1 Explain the impact of wars on
American politics since Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.3 Evaluate the extent to which a
variety of groups and individuals have had
opportunity to attain their perception of the
“American Dream” since Reconstruction.
executive actions have affected the distribution of
power between levels of government since
Reconstruction.

AH2.H.6.2 Explain the reasons for United States

involvement in global wars and the influence each
involvement had on international affairs.

AH2.H.7.3 Explain the impact of wars on

American society and culture since
Reconstruction.

AH2.H.8.4 Analyze multiple perceptions of the

“American Dream” in times of prosperity and
crisis since Reconstruction.

*Standards 1 (historical thinking) and 2

(turning points) are included in every unit.

“Unpacked” Concepts “Unpacked” Skills COGNITION

(students need to know) (students need to be able to do) (RBT Level)

AH2.H.4.1 AH2.H.4.1 AH2.H.4.1

 the political issues and  Analyze (impact)  Analyzing
conflicts that impacted the
United States since
Reconstruction and the
compromises that resulted

AH2.H.4.3 AH2.H.4.3 AH2.H.4.3

 social and religious  Analyze (impact)  Analyzing
conflicts, movements and
reforms that impacted
the United States since
Reconstruction in terms of
participants, strategies,
opposition, and results

AH2.H.5.1 AH2.H.5.1 AH2.H.5.1

 the philosophical,  Summarize (contribution)  Understanding
ideological and/or religious
views on freedom and
equality contributed to the
development of American
political and economic
systems since
Reconstruction AH2.H.5.2 AH2.H.5.2
 Explain (affect)  Understanding
AH2.H.5.2
  judicial, legislative and
executive actions have
affected the distribution of
power between levels of
government since
Reconstruction AH2.H.6.2 AH2.H.6.2
 Explain (reasons and  Understanding
AH2.H.6.2 influence)
 reasons for United States
involvement in global wars
and the influence each
involvement had on
international affairs AH2.H.7.3 AH2.H.7.3
 Explain (impact)  Understanding
AH2.H.7.3
 impact of wars on
American society and
culture AH2.H.8.4 AH2.H.8.4
 Analyze (perceptions)  Analyzing
AH2.H.8.4
 multiple perceptions of the
“American Dream” in times
of prosperity and crisis since
Reconstruction
 Possible Factual
Unit Suggested Content Example(s)
“Chunking” & Lesson From
Enduring Essential (Bold Found in Unpacked
Standard(s) Understandings Questions Standards) Standard

AH2.H.4.1 Camelot: The How national

Kennedy Years political leaders
Analyze the have expressed
political issues their perceptions
and conflicts that  Kennedy’s New of the “American
impacted the How did Frontier Dream” during
United States New leadership President - continuation of relief, times of
since can strengthen Kennedy’s New recovery, and reform prosperity or
Reconstruction a nation’s Frontier address - space race crisis.
and the identity. the “American - inaugural address
compromises Dream”?  Kennedy’s Foreign How and to
that resulted. Policies what extent
- Cold War and domestic
containment programs
AH2.H.6.2 * flexible response proposed by
- advancement of Democratic
Explain the democracy presidents after
reasons for Why were the - increase intelligence Franklin
United States Historical Cold War services Roosevelt
involvement in turning points events of - Bay of Pigs Invasion extended the
global wars and can be a result President * Fidel Castro relief, recovery
the influence of international Kennedy’s - Cuban Missile Crisis and reform
each involvement events and administration - Berlin Wall efforts of the
had on political and President - Limited Test Ban New Deal.
international assassinations. Kennedy’s Treaty
affairs. assassination a * hot line How, why and to
turning point in - Peace Corps what extent the
American - Alliance for Progress Cold War and
AH2.H.7.3 History?  Kennedy’s the policy of
Explain the Assassination flexible
impact of wars - transition of power response
on - impact society and influenced the
American society politics Kennedy
and culture since - Warren Commission administration’s
Reconstruction. involvement in
international
affairs.

How the
assassination of
President John
AH2.H.8.4 Kennedy and
Analyze multiple the transition of
perceptions of power to a new
the president
“American impacted
Dream” in times American
of prosperity and society and the
crisis since political fortunes
Reconstruction. of a nation.

AH2.H.5.2 Vietnam  Johnson and Vietnam How and why

War United States
Explain how - escalation involvement in
judicial, - Cold War and the Vietnam
legislative and Containment War influenced
executive actions - advancement of the presidency
have affected the How did democracy of Lyndon
distribution of America’s - increase intelligence Johnson and his
power between Leaders are involvement in services relationship with
levels of often granted the Vietnam - President Johnson the United
government more power War influence and relationship with States
since during a time of the relationship Congress Congress.
Reconstruction. war. between - Ho Chi Minh
President - Vietcong How the
Johnson and - Ho Chi Minh Trail escalation and
AH2.H.6.2 Congress? - Gulf of Tonkin loss of the
Resolution Vietnam War
Explain the - napalm affected United
reasons for - Agent Orange States
United States - Tet Offensive international
involvement in relations during
global wars and and since the
the influence ___________________ Cold War.
each involvement _____________ _____________ _____________
had on  Anti-War Protests
international - student and youth How and why
affairs. led student and
- impact politics and youth led
Controversy How did the war movements
AH2.H.7.3 surrounding war anti-war - counterculture formed to
Explain the can impact protests impact - music, art, literature, protest United
impact of wars politics and the policies and war pop culture States
on war effort. efforts of the - draft involvement in
American society United States? - Students for a the Vietnam
and culture since Democratic Society War and to what
Reconstruction. - Free Speech extent the
Movement movements
- doves and hawks impacted the
- Kent State shootings nation’s politics
 and war efforts.

How American
literature, the
arts, music and
pop culture
reflected the
fear, anxiety and
dissent of the
United States
involvement in
___________________ war.
_____________ _____________ ___________
 Policies Nixon and
Foreign Policy How the
- Cold War and escalation and
containment loss of the
- advancement of Vietnam War
democracy affected United
- increase intelligence States
A nation’s How did the services international
failure at war outcome of the - Vietnam relations during
can result in a Vietnam War * impact President and since the
change in influence policies Cold War.
foreign policy. President * My Lai
Nixon’s foreign * loss How the foreign
policy? ~ Vietnamization policy initiative
~ “Peace with of “détente”
Honor” guided the
- “détente” international
- SALT affairs of the
- Cambodia Nixon
- Pentagon Papers administration
- War Powers Act during the Cold
War.
 Change and How and why
AH2.H.4.1 Conflict in the President
Nation Lyndon Johnson
Analyze the addressed
political issues issues of social
and conflicts that and racial
impacted the  Johnson’s Great injustice through
United States Society direct
since - continuation of relief, government
Reconstruction How did recovery, and reform intervention and
and the executive - “War on Poverty” the programs of
compromises Government legislative and * direct intervention the Great
that resulted. decisions can judicial * programs Society; and the
result in a decisions of the ~ Economic effects of such
AH2.H.4.3 change in the Federal Opportunity Act intervention on
economic and government ~ Medicare American
Analyze the social standing impact the ~ Medicaid politics and
social and of its citizens. direction and - 1964 election economics.
religious outcome of - Immigration Act of
conflicts, racial, social 1965 How the
movements and and economic - Chief Justice Earl executive,
reforms that issues? Warren legislative and
impacted * rights of criminally judicial
the United States accused decisions of the
since ~ Miranda v. federal
Reconstruction in Arizona government
terms of * reapportionment impacted the
participants, - federal and state direction and
strategies, government outcome of the
opposition, and African
results. American civil
rights
movement.
AH2.H.5.1 _____________ _____________ ___________________

Summarize how  African American Civil How women

the philosophical, Rights Movement and young
ideological - executive, legislative, people
and/or religious How did women judicial decisions influenced the
views on and young * Civil Rights Act of direction and
freedom and Changes in people influence 1964 outcome of
equality equality can be the direction * Voting Rights Act specific events
contributed to the influenced by and outcome of of 1965 within the
development of women and the African * Civil Rights Act of African
American children. American Civil 1968 American civil
political and Rights * Swann v. Charlotte- rights
economic movement? Mecklenburg movement.
systems since * 14th Amendment
Reconstruction. * state’s rights
 Debates How and why
* affirmative action the African
Why were there - people/groups American civil
AH2.H.5.2 Leaders may different views * Martin Luther King rights movement
utilize different on how to Jr. developed over
Explain how approaches to achieve greater * Malcom X the 20th century
judicial, attain equality. freedom and * Nation of Islam and how it
legislative and equality for * SNCC impacted the
executive actions African ~ Ella Baker onset of other
have affected the Americans? ~ Freedom Summer civil rights
distribution of * CORE movements as
power between * Greensboro Sit-Ins well as
levels of ~ Greensboro Four American
government * Freedom Riders political and
since * James Meredith economic
Reconstruction. * Birmingham systems.
Campaign
* Black Panther How African
AH2.H.8.4 Party American civil
Analyze multiple * different strategies rights leaders of
perceptions of - black power the 20th Century
the movement differed on how
“American * Stokely Carmichael to best achieve
Dream” in times - impact political and greater freedom
of prosperity and economic systems and equality.
crisis since - freedom and equality
Reconstruction. - Alice Walker
- Shirley Chisholm
_____________ _____________ ____________________ _____________

 Other Civil Rights How the African-

Movements American civil
- influence from rights movement
African American influenced the
How successful movement development of
Minorities have were other - freedom and equality other civil rights
varying degrees minorities - feminist movement movements
of success at groups in * 19th Amendment during the 20th
attaining gaining equality * expanded roles Century.
equality. in their civil * Betty Friedan and
rights The Feminine
movements? Mystique How women’s
* NOW rights activists
* Gloria Steinem adopted a new
* Equal Rights feminism to
Amendment challenge the
* Roe v. Wade cult of
* Phyllis Schlafly domesticity of
- Chicano Movement the 1950s.
* United Farm
 Workers Organizing
Committee
* Cesar Chavez
- American Indian
Movement
- counterculture
* music
* hippies
* Haight-Ashbury
* Woodstock
______________ _____________ _____________ ____________________ _____________

AH2.H.4.1 Watergate  1968

- assassinations
Analyze the * MKL
political issues * RFK How and why
and conflicts that - Democratic National the Watergate
impacted the Convention burglary led to a
United States - Election cover up by
since * influence politics President
Reconstruction and society Richard Nixon
and the  Nixon Domestic and his staff, a
compromises Issues Congressional
that resulted. Political How was the - New Federalism investigation,
scandals can be Watergate - Family Assistance and the first
a turning point scandal a Plan resignation of a
AH2.H.5.2 in a nation’s turning point in - New South United States
history. American - increase oil prices president.
Explain how History? * OPEC
judicial, - “stagflation” How the
legislative and - economic recession Watergate
executive actions  Nixon and Watergate scandal tested
have affected the - burglary the balance of
distribution of * Committee to power between
power between Reelect the President
levels of President Richard Nixon,
government - cover up the United
since - Congressional States Congress
Reconstruction. Investigation and the United
- power between States Supreme
branches of Court.
government
- resignation
- scandal impact
 President Ford
*Standards 1 (historical thinking) and 2 (turning points) are included in every unit. i.e.: How
America’s involvement in World War II a turning point in U.S. history?

HISTORY GEOGRAPHY CIVICS & ECONOMICS CULTURE

GOVERNMENT

Cultural Infusion Content and Activities

Unit 7 AH2.H.4.1 Analyze the political issues and conflicts LEQ: How did President Kennedy’s New Frontier
Conflict and that impacted the United States since address the American Dream?
Change 1960 Reconstruction and the compromises that resulted.
- 1975 Activities:
(12 days Analyze Kennedy’s Civil Rights Act of 1963 and
Block/26 elaborate on its political and social impact and
days Year) the political compromises that resulted in its
passage.

AH2.H.4.3 Analyze the social and religious conflicts,
movements and reforms that impacted the United
States since Reconstruction in terms of participants,
strategies, opposition, and results.
Resources:
President Kennedy Civil Rights Act of 1963 This
lesson plan examines the obstacles Pres. Kennedy
faced as he sought support for the Civil Rights Act
of 1963.
Fumbling the New Frontier This source describes
Martin L King’s analysis of the success and
failures of the New Frontier and its impact on
African Americans.
LEQ: How did executive, legislative, and judicial
decisions of the Federal government impact the
direction and outcome of racial, social, and
economic issues?

Activities:
Analyze Civil Rights Laws passed during 1957-
1965 and how they affected African-Americans.

Research and list laws passed during the years of

1957-1965 and explain how they affected African-
Americans.

Create a behavior over time graph to illustrate

how laws passed during the years of 1957-1965
impacted the civil rights of various other groups

AH2.H.5.1 Summarize how the philosophical,
ideological and/or religious views on freedom and
equality contributed to the development of
American political and economic systems since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.5.2 Explain how judicial, legislative and
executive actions have affected the distribution of
power between levels of government since
Reconstruction.
AH2.H.6.2 Explain the reasons for United States
involvement in global wars and the influence each
involvement had on international affairs.
of American citizens.
Resources:
America's Civil Rights Timeline This timeline
provides a detailed overview of the various
events and acts of the African American Civil
Rights Movement.
History of the Civil Rights Movement: 5:00 This
video provides an overview of the key moments
of the Civil Rights Movement.
LEQ: Why were there different views on how to
achieve greater freedom and equality for African
Americans?
Activities:
Describe how the following organizations helped
with progress in the Civil Rights Movement.
Research and present oral presentation on one of
the organizations that helped further the Civil
Rights Movement.
Compare and contrast the philosophies and social
movements of Martin Luther King, Jr. and
Malcolm X.
List the different types of protest used to gain
equality and explain the impact on the success of
each.
Resources:
Article: NAACP
Article: SNCC
Video: SCLS
Video: Black Panthers
Article: The Black Panthers
Article: CORE
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Malcolm X
Types of Protest This document lists and
describes various forms of protest used during
the Civil Rights movement.
LEQ: Why were there different views on how to
achieve greater freedom and equality for African
Americans?
AH2.H.7.3 Explain the impact of wars on American
society and culture since Reconstruction.
AH2.H.8.4 Analyze multiple perceptions of the
“American Dream” in times of prosperity and crisis
since Reconstruction.
LEQ: How did the anti-war protests impact
policies and war efforts of the United States?
Activities:
Write an inference based paragraph that analyzes
why African Americans would NOT be in support
of the Vietnam War.
Resources:
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Vietnam War This
video highlights the unpopular Anti-Vietnam war
stance that Martin Luther King Jr. took.
2. Muhammad Ali on the Vietnam War Draft
This brief video displays the justification for the
Anti-Vietnam war stance that Muhammad Ali
took.
3. Black Opposition to Vietnam This article
highlights the Anti-Vietnam war that many
African Americans took.
4. African Americans and the Vietnam War
This lesson plan highlights the role of African
Americans in the Vietnam War and the
discrimination they faced on the Homefront.
LEQ: How did executive, legislative, and judicial
decisions of the Federal government impact the
direction and outcome of racial, social, and
economic issues?
Activities:
Compare the earning power of African-Americans
to whites from 1950-1990. Create a behavior
over time graph to illustrate findings.
Resources:
Changes in the Racial Earnings Gap Since 1960
This article examines the development of income
inequality overtime, with a focus on the disparity
between white men and black men.
LEQ: Why were there different views on how to
achieve greater freedom and equality for African
Americans?
Activities:
Research the experiences of African-Americans
during the Vietnam War and prepare a 5-7
minute presentation on how these experiences
may have impacted their perception of the
American Dream.
 Resources:
Impact of the Vietnam War on African Americans
This primary source provides firsthand accounts
of African Americans and their experiences with
the lack of equality and access to democracy
during the Vietnam War.

General Unit Resources

○ “Straight Ahead” □“Uphill” ∆ “Mountainous”

○
http://millercenter.org/president
http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/movies/index.html
http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/
http://www.livebinders.com/
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade50.html - contains cultural time lines for decades from
1950’s thru 1990’s

□ John F. Kennedy – “New Frontier Speech”

Ronald Reagan-Cold War speech ‘Tear Down this Wall”
George Bush-“Congressional Speech on 9/11
Barack Obama- “A More Perfect Union”

The DBQ Project volume 2: www.dbqproject.com

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/
http://www.loc.gov/index.html
http://www.civics.org
http://rockhall.com/education/
Peter Jennings-The American Century (video series)
∆ Ralph Ellison-The Invisible Man
Betty Friedan-The Feminine Mystic
John Galbrath- The Affluent Society

JSTOR: Historical Documents /www.jstor.org

Text differentiation symbols: Texts will be categorized in teacher resource documents as Straight
Ahead (less challenging for struggling readers), Uphill (having some challenging words and more
complex sentence structure that is appropriate for on-grade level readers), or Mountainous
(containing challenging vocabulary, complex sentences, and more abstract ideas).